From: Eris Weaver
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda item #3.1: Application No.: A.15-05-014 before the CPUC Date: Monday, February 12, 2024 4:17:02 PM
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Dear Mayor and Councilmembers:
The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition strongly supports an at-grade crossing of the SMART tracks at Jennings Avenue.
I know that negotiations are proceeding between SMART and the City of Santa Rosa but the public has not heard anything from either party since a community meeting up here in March of 2023. At this meeting, neighborhood residents reiterated their strong support for this crossing. The train tracks divide the neighborhood, making it difficult for kids and adults to walk or ride to school, shopping, the bus mall, etc. without taking a long detour on one of the most heavily trafficked streets in the city – which lack bike lanes.
It's been seven years since the at-grade crossing was approved by the CPUC and I’ve written SO many letters and spoken at SO many meetings since then. (Still, I’ve never understood why SMART opposed this crossing, calling it unsafe…when there are so many other existing at-grade crossings throughout the system.)
It’s particularly frustrating as an advocate that everything is now being done “behind the scenes” without any ability for the public to hear how our public officials are discussing this important matter – who supports, who opposes, what concerns are being expressed, or even HOW the final determination is going to be made.
I understand that the City has applied to the CPUC for an extension of its permit for the crossing, and that the CPUC wants to see some sort of progress by March first.
Please stay strong and continue to push for the at-grade crossing! The alternative that SMART proposed at that March meeting was an enormous, impossibly expensive solution that is unlikely to ever get built. Let’s stay with the simplest solution.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Eris Weaver, Executive Director
Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition
[email protected]
707-545-0153 office • 707-338-8589 cell
www.bikesonoma.org
Book time to meet with me
I’m riding 120 miles to raise money
for SCBC – DONATE HERE
From: Bikeable Santa Rosa
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda item 3.1 City Council 2/13
Date: Monday, February 12, 2024 4:57:36 PM
Dear Mayor, City Council Members, and Manager Smith,
Please refer to the following letter (originally drafted to the SMART board) regarding Bikeable Santa Rosa's position on the at-grade crossing at Jennings. This crossing is a matter of mobility justice and is long overdue. We trust staff will do everything in their power to ensure the at-grade crossing gets built in a timely manner. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xk3x71186g7niulzu4xso/SMART-Board-re-Jennings-Jan- 2024.pdf?rlkey=ct8wif30wp6h250khtfp5bcc7&e=1&dl=0
Many Thanks,
Alexa Forrester & Chris Guenther
Bikeable Santa Rosa Co-Leads