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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-01-2003 AdoptedCC Min Spc Mtg SPECIA. L ~_EETI};O -' OCTOBER 1~ gO03 A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING between the Dublin City Council and the Pleasanton City Council was held on Wednesday, October 1, 2003, in the Pleasanton City CoUncil Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT: Dublin Councilmembers McCormick, Oravetz, Sbranti, Zika and Mayor Lockhart. Pleasanton C°unci~embers AYala' Brozosky, Campbell' Hosterman and Mayor Pico. None. DISCUSSION OF BART STATION DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR WEST ENDS OF PLEASANTON AND DUBLIN AND DESIGN OF STATION 2Robert RuSsell and Orix Real Estate. Bob Russell provided an outline and timeline of the history to date for the BART station plans for West Ends of Pleasanton and Dublin. He also presented an overview of the Development Program. VBN Architects presented the architectural design of the Bart Station. Cm. Campbell raised a question regarding parking and asked if them would be sufficient parking on both the Pleasanton and Dublin sides. It was noted that a parking structure would be located on the Dublin side and allow for over 700 parking spaces. A parking structure would be located on the Pleasanton side and would allow for a little over 400 parking spaces. An EIR had been prepared with the initial East Dublin/pleasanton Station construction and updated for the West Dubtin/Pleasanton Station, which analyzed the parking issUes for both cities. It reviewed which direction people would be coming from, and if they would move from the East Dublin Station to the West Station. Cm. Oravetz noted that a lot of traffic is generated on the freeway during the rash hour and asked if construction could be eliminated during this time. It was noted by Ron Hobbart, Manager of the construction of the West Dublin Station, that BART would be working with Caltrans. Originally, for this presentation, the plan was to shift traffic on both sides slightly while maintaining the width of the freeway. A work area will be created inside the construction project with deliveries made during the night and some access during the day. He noted that the construction planning for some highway projects is open, but that this project would be very constrained knowing full well what the impacts would be. Cm. Oravetz asked if there were plans to reroute traffic as it is coming down the Dublin grade. VOLUME 22 SPECIAL JOINT MEETING(with Pleasanton City Council) October Is 2003 Page 600 It was noted that there would be a general shift over the BART K'rail on the interior side to create workspace, There are two issues: the highway and the traffic, The plan is to shift one side first and take one BART rail out of service. This will allow single BART traffic through that area. The pilings are already there which is a tremendoUs saVings schedule wiSe- The foundations for the exterior walls need to be built first. Cm. Ayala asked if there was a plan to reroute traffic down 1-580/680 thereby eliminating the number of traffic lanes? Mr. Hobbart noted that the lane width would be maintained as well as the number of lanes. He reiterated that BART would be W°rking with caltrans. This would be a different apProaCh and procesS than that of the other station, in that Bart will be working with Caltrans in how they would both approach this project. Cm. Zika declared that staggered crossovers would not work. He asked if the extension of the BART medians was a part of this project. It was noted that the extension was a part of this project only to where the actual station is, not going all the way to Castro Valley. Cm. Sbranti was concerned about the location of the Dublin walkway as it was currently shown at the end of the platform. He would like to have this design feature located more in the center, or a little closer. It was pointed out that the station structure was put in 10 years ago, and this design builds upon that plan. One of the items BART grappled with when putting this in as they did was trying to keep the weight of the station down as much as possible. The structure of the station was built almost like an office bUilding with steel construction. It was also noted that the piles are already in and are located in size for the location of the platform and where the pedestrian bridges come in. This limits where these walkways can be located. Cm. Hosterman concurred with Cm. Sbranti's concern and would like to achieve some sort of balance. Mayor Lockhart was concemed about the design, access to and from BART, and access from both sides of the freeway to allow a safe route for bicyclists. It was noted that there would be an access for bicyclists. Bicycle racks would be located at both stations. The sizes of the bridges woUld be fairly generOus and would accommodate people walking their bicycles. Elevators would also allow for people to transport their bicycles to and from the stairs. Cm. Sbranti asked if there was any thought given to the surrounding developments on both sides of the station that would allow for the design of the station to be architecturally compatible. It was noted that the thought was to place the design of the building more in context with the environment surrounding Pleasanton and Dublin. For instance, office buildings are located on the Pleasanton side and the design would fit into the context of the office building. For the Dublin side, they were trying to create a transit-related connection between the BART station and the downtown. The apartments were moved over to the street frontage to fit into the West Dublin BART plan design where more pedestrian traffic and , , , ,, CITY CouNCIL MINUTES VOLUME 22 SPECIAL JOINT MEETING (with Pleasanton Ci~ Council) October 1, 2003 Page 60~ activity is going on. The hotel and restaurant sites are being looked at. The intent of creating and locating the garage where it currently is located on the plans was to draw people into the plaza area and into the downtown so as to have a connection with the community. Clarification was provided as to the parking garage located on the Dublin side of the station. It was noted that the parking garage would be a five-story structure with 700 spaces available for parking. Four hun&ed parking spaces would be available on the Pleasanton side. In response to Councilmember Hosterman's inquiry regarding parking availability at the East Dublin Station, it was noted that there were 2600 parking spaces. The EIR process was reviewed and the amount of parking spaces to be provided for the new Dublin and Pleasanton BART stations were determined asa result of that study, and taking into consideration in which direction the majority of the traffic would be coming from, Cm. Brozosky expressed his concern regarding not having enough, adequate parking spaces available. Cm. Zika wondered if there was any indication that the retail busineSses located within the BART station would be successful. He also wondered if it would work. It was mentioned that nothing had been flushed out with regard to what type of retail businesses, if any, would be located at the BART stations. Cm. Hosterman wondered what formula was used to arrive at the am0unt 0f availab!~parking spaces and asked what BART's goal was regarding future riderShip in this area. It was noted that the EIR addressed some of the issues. As far as traffic generation in the area, it was noted that a certain number of criteria was looked at. BART had done an analysis of their line system from their 30 years of experience in ridership and projected what the growth was going to be. This was instrumental in determining the bond issue, as one needs to disclose how many riders there potentially could be in order to create those tickets to generate the traffic. It was noted that there are projected to be between 5,000 to 6,000 BART riders per day. Cm. Ayala pointed out the past problems BART has had with regard to parking issues, and asked what formula they were using to adequately ad&ess these issues. She was specifically concerned about the effect and impact this would have on traffic in the City of Pleasanton. Cathy Mayo, Deputy Executive Manager, BART, mentioned that they follow the requirements of the California Environmental Quality ACt in determining standards and traffic analysis. In fairness to BART, CoUncilmember Sbranti pointed out that no one could project the tremendous amount of growth in the Tri-Valley and East Contra Costa County. Cm. Brozosky expressed concern with regard to the bus system and bus routes for people to get to and from the West Ends of the Pleasant and Dublin BART Station. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES VOLUME 22 SPECIAL JOINT MEETING (with Pleasanton City Council) October 1~ 2003 Page 60il It was noted that the East Dublin BART station would be the major intermodel but several bus stations will be added to this project which would allow people the opportunity to ride the bus to and from the West Ends Station of both Pleasanton and Dublin. It was mentioned that there might be some oppommity to provide additional parking based on the EIR, as some of the traffic will be coming from Contra Costa County. It was noted that the West End Bart stations would provide for reserved parking. BART's parking policy allows for 24 hours and cars do have to leave at some point. It was noted that parking is a major concem of both the Dublin and Pleasanton City Councils. A better understanding is needed and other alternatives and options were requested and needed in the event there is overflow of parking. An analysis, specifically covering and addressing the tong term parking issues, was requested. PUBLIC COMMENTS A citizen urged both the Dublin and Pleasanton City Councils to insist upon implementing an adequate walkway that would provide direct access to buses and various locations, for example, office buildings, etc. A citizen commented on the essential importance of the overall design of the Station. From her perspective no thought was given to the integration of existing buildings and structures located near the station. The Minutes of this special joint meeting were prepared by Dawn G. Abrahamson, CMC, Pleasanton City Clerk ADJOURNMENT 11.1 There being no further business to come before the Councils, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. CITY cOUNCIL MINUTES VOLUME 22 SPECIAL JOINT MEETING (with Pleasanton City Council) October 1~, 2003 Page 60t