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Congestion relief on Interstate 680, expanding Danville’s smoking prohibitions and updating guidelines for use of town parks and facilities are set as the topics for a Town Council study session Tuesday morning.
* Council members and town staff will begin with a status report on the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) I-680 transit investment/congestion relief study, which analyzed four categories of options for the corridor — heavy rail, light rail options, bus transit and advanced technology solutions such as pod systems and autonomous vehicles.
The council is asked to give input on which ideas to study further and which ideas to scuttle.
Town officials recommend support of “rubber tire on pavement” options, including a bus-way in the I-680 median or shoulder from Walnut Creek to Dublin, dynamic “eco-lanes” parallel to I-680 and a two-phased approach to the median with a bus-way first,with possible conversion to light rail line in the future.
Staff recommends the council advocate against more analysis of BART extensions (above or below ground) or new light rail between Walnut Creek and Dublin because of construction costs and community impacts.
* Council members will next hear an update on the CCTA’s development of a transportation expenditure plan for a possible 2016 ballot measure, which could ask for an additional half-cent sales tax for transportation, according to town officials.
The CCTA has issued a call for candidate projects and programs, due this month.
Council input is sought on potential regional projects, such as northbound I-680 carpool/express lane extension between Livorna Road and North Main Street in Walnut Creek, as well as local efforts, such as expanded capacity at park and ride lots in Danville or Diablo Road circulation improvements.
* The council will then review and provide feedback on proposed revisions to 20-year-old guidelines related to use of town facilities for events and programs.
“The current policies and procedures for parks and facilities use was (sic) written in general terms and does not address specific situations which have arisen over the years,” town recreation services manager Henry Perezalonso wrote in his report to the council.
* Secondhand smoke and potential expansion of town smoking regulations will be the final discussion during the study session.
Town staff is returning with a variety of options for consideration Tuesday after the council held an initial conversation about the smoking ordinance last month.
Currently, the town prohibits smoking in areas including all town parks, indoor businesses, restaurants, transportation and restroom facilities, public facilities and schools, and any place voluntarily designating itself as a nonsmoking establishment.
The town could expand the smoking ban to some or all of the downtown business district, all public sidewalks, within a specified distance from an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited, any outdoor dining areas, service areas such as bus stops or ATMs or any public place used for a public event, Nat Rojanasathira, assistant to the town manager, wrote in his staff report.
The council will also discuss how to go about instituting a potential ban in multi-family housing complexes, including whether to ban in individual residential units, common areas and/or near access points, and how many units qualify a dwelling as “multi-family.”
Other talking points will include expanding prohibitions to owner- or volunteer-operated businesses, hotel lobbies and private residences used as child care or health care facilities, whether to add e-cigarettes or medical marijuana to the smoking regulations and strategies for ordinance enforcement.
Town staff asks the council to give direction about policy options and ways to gather public input, such as online surveys and collaborating with the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Tuesday’s study session is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. at the town offices, 510 La Gonda Way.
Express: I-680 corridor relief, specifically rubber tire on pavement option.
The rubberized asphalt idea would be huge for Danville and Alamo. It cuts down on traffic noise throughout the canyon/corridor. Scottsdale, AZ did this, which improved quality of life and sustained the tranquil environment. It was also said to have improved safety and tire wear.
Matt
The town should ban smoking in multi-family complexes, apartments and common wall dwellings, like condos and townhouses. Smoke travels into other units and into shared spaces like balconies and enclosed patios next to where smokers are smoking. They should let smokers smoke in their own dwellings and if they want to contaminate their own air then let them do it, but not other people’s air!. Second hand smoke is just as toxic as the smoke inhaled.
It’d be nice if an article like this actually included a date for the Tuesday meeting!
The rubberized pavement idea suggested by Matt S above, is a great idea. There is a huge amount of traffic noise on the West side of San Ramon from the 680 freeway and from San Ramon V. Bvd. (which was increased from 40 to 45 mph). Quality of life on the West side in San Ramon is in state of slow retrograde deterioration.