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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTIONS - 10172007 - RES-469 IN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISOR OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, STATE OF CALIFORNIA In the Matter of Hearing on proposed plans of San Francisco Bay Area Rapid RESOLUTION No. 469 Transit District . This Board today held a hearing on proposed plans for a regional rapid transit system in the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District insofar as said plans affect Contra Costa County. Director H. L. Cummings addressed the Board and intro- duced the other two Directors representing Contra Costa County: Mr. Marvin Joseph and Mr. Harry L. Morrison, Jr. , who expressed the hope that Contra Costa County would be the first to approve the plans of the District and commented on the fact that many organizations, etc ., have recommended approval of the proposed regional rapid transit system. Mr. Richard J. Shephard Acting Secretary of the Dis- trict, presented a film entitled 'The Magic Key." Mr. John M. Peirce, General Manager of the District, read a statement, which is on file, emphasizing, what the system will do for Contra Costa County. Mr. Kenneth M. Hoover, Chief Engineer of the District, and Mr. Bert LaVigne of the Tudor Engineering, Company, indicated on maps the proposed routes and station stops in Contra Costa. County. Mr. Hoover explained a possible adjustment in the route which would be acceptable to the District Directors, provided the Board of Supervisors requests the .a.djustment . This adjustment would allow a change in the contemplated location of the Walnut Creek station from Mt . Diablo Boulevard to near 'Ygnacio Valley Road (as requested by the City of Walnut Creek), and would shift the Lafayette station from opposite Mora:ga. Road to the site of the future freeway interchange at Pleasant Hill Road, Highway 24 and the projected Shepherd Canyon Freeway. These changes will per- mit rerouting of the transit line to the north side of the freeway between Orinda and Walnut Creek. Mr. J. P. McBrien, County Administrator, expressed the opinion that because of the geographical layout in the Bay Area, the Rapid Transit System is very desirable and probably necessary to complement the County highway system. He spoke of the necessity for reconciling differences of opinion and the need for coming to an agreement locally within the County so that the measure may be presented to the people . RESOLUTION NO. 4 6 9 . . ... ................... ... ... .. . Mr. V. W. Sauer, Public Works Director, commented on the proposed adjustment affecting the Walnut Creek and Lafayette stations, and stated that the State Highway Commission has been advised of same . The following representatives of cities then appeared. Mr. Carroll A. Pitchford, Assistant City Manager of Richmond, representing Mayor Vargas, read a state- ment (which is on file) and which urges �lj that the present proposed route be approved, 2 that the location of the transit car storage yard be sub- ject to further study to insure that it not be situ- ated in a. permanent residential. area, (3) that struc- ture construction replace earth-fill embankments and that the elevation of such structure construction be established by the District only after study and ap- proval by the Richmond City Council, and that suitable landscaping also be a part of the plain as requested by the City Planning Commission, and (4) that sufficient funds be provided by the District to meet any addi- tional cost that may occur by reason of these re- quests . The City also objects to a proposal, which the City understands has been na de, that the rapid transit route enter the City of Richmond via the Southern Pacific right of way, Mr. E. C. Marriner, City Manager of Pittsburg, who repre- sented the City Council., read a statement (which is on file) notifying the Board that the Council has taken a stand against the plan as now proposed and request- ing the Board to oppose the rapid transit plans . The City urged that if the plan should be approved that a precise route for the easterly extension of the Contra Costa County line be made, and provision made for right of way acquisition or at least the protection of the right of way, etc . Mr. W. R. Crowe, Mayor of El Cerrito, read a statement (which is on file) notifying the Board that the City Council of El Cerrito has gone on record to oppose rapid transit in its present form. The Council strongly opposes the proposed routing of the Berkeley- Richmond line along, the Santa Fe right of way on an elevated structure . The City .Council believes that the Bayshore route would be readily accessible . Mr. Fames Wells on behalf of the City of Pleasant dill stated that the City has no objection to the proposed route but wishes to be assured that the Walden sta- tion, as indicated, will remain part of the plan. Mr. Wells urged plans for roadways into, and out of, sta. tions, and urged that rights of way be purchased to the eastern portion of the County (Pittsburg, etc . ) . Mr. Wells also stated that if the cost does run up for putting the system in San Francisco and Oakland there should be some guarantee that there will be enough money left to build the Contra Costa County line . The City Council wishes to reserve its final approval until the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors . 469 Mr. Armand E. Werle, Acting City Manager of Walnut Creek, read a statement from the City Council of Walnut Creek (which is on file) in which the Board is advised that Walnut Creek is not in favor of the rapid transit route proposed by the District in the vicinity of Walnut Creek, and that Alternate Route C has the support of Lafayette, Sun Valley and Walnut Creek. The City of Walnut Creek requests favorable consideration of Alternate Route C in place of recommended routing along the old Sacramento Northern right of way in the City of Walnut Creek. Other interested persons who appeared were: Mr. William Evans of the Contra Costa County Taxpayerst Association, Inc . , who read a letter (which is on file) and in which the Board is notified that the Directors of the Association recommend approval of the regional rapid transit district plan. Mr. Marsten Campbell, 150 - 17th Street, Oakland, spoke in opposition to rapid transit plans and expressed the opinion that the County shouldcapitalize on its existing facilities (highways, etc . ) . Mr. Richard J. Mitchell, 1170 East Elmwood Drive, Walnut Creek, read a. letter (which is on file) from the Walden District Improvement Association in which op- position is expressed to the installation of car main- tenance and storage facilities within its confines . Mr. Mitchell, as an individual, noted that construction . of the rapid transit system offers one of the best means to achieve some measure of civil defense struc- tures for the Bay Area. (letter is on file) . Mr. Earl Goldman, 3160 Wildwood Drive, Concord, appeared on behalf of the Concord Citizens Civic_ Council and spoke in favor of the plan . Mrs . Sarah Holzman, 3275 Freeman Road, Walnut Creek, stated that Sun Valley approves the plan, particularly Alternate C. Mr. H. K. Forsman, 4311 Beechwood Road, Lafayette, stated that he approves the plan if Alternate C is included, and stated that before he could give whole- hearted approval he would like to have certain ques- tions with reference to the Geary Boulevard matter answered. Mr. Verne Odegard, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, stated he has no objection to the plan provided Alternate C is included. 4 6 Mr. Kenneth Berndt, member of the El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce, read a letter (which is on file) protesting the proposed routing through El Cerrito, of the tran- sit system. Mrs . Edwina Spingole, 1755 Lacassie Avenue, Walnut Creek, Secretary-Manager of the Lacassie Community Property Owners Association, urged approval of Alternate C. Mr. George L. Gates, 1134 King Drive, El Cerrito, spoke on behalf of the Commuters of E1 Cerrito. He favors the central route through the City of El Cerrito and also is in favor of the Santa Fe route . Mr. Hugh Caudel, on behalf of the Central Labor Council of Contra Costa. County, spoke in favor of the plan. Mr. Tony Canatta representing Pittsburg Steelworkers Local Union 14 .0 (and all of the locals in Northern California) endorsed the proposed rapid transit plan. Mr . Raymond Tape, 144 - 4th Street, Richmond, expressed the opinion that rapid transit should be considered on its own merits and should not be considered as a part of civil defense . Mrs. Ruth Dawkins, 105 Pleasant Valley Drive, Pleasant Hill, expressed the opinion that rapid transit is needed. She asked questions which were answered by Mr. B. R. Stokes, Public Information Director of the San Francisco Bay Area, Rapid Transit District . The Clerk noted that there are on file letters from the following: Contra Costa County Commuters Association, P. 0. Box 205, Lafayette, approving the plan with the exception of location of the station serving the Lafayette area., and urging that a, station be located nearer the center of said area . Council of Richmond Industries, 1415 South 47th Street, Richmond, approving ih >principle the desirability of a rapid transit system and recommending that any pro- posals be passed on to the voters for their decision. The Industrial Association, Pittsburg-Antioch-Nichols Area., stating that while neither endorsing nor sup- porting the plans as such, it does recommend that the Board submit the issue of a rapid transit system to the voters of Contra Costa. County in the next regular primary election. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Alternate Route C in the Walnut Creek-Lafayette area. is approved for inclusion in the proposed transit plan. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Board does not approve any storage maintenance yard in the Walden area . BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the hearing on proposed plans of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is continued to December 21, 1961, at 10 a.m. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 30th day of November, 1961, by the following vote of the Board: AYES: Supervisors James P. Kenny, Mel F. Nielsen, Thomas John Coll, Edmund A. Linscheid, Joseph S. Silva . NOES: None . ABSENT: None . 469