BikeWalkSolana Meeting, Mon November 4, 2019

The next meeting of BikeWalkSolana, the Solana Beach Active Transportation Committee,  be held on Monday, November 4,  2019, 5pm at Fletcher Cove Community Center. 

Fletcher Cove Community Center
133 Pacific Avenue
Solana Beach, CA 92075

Agenda:

  • Updates from the City
  • Discussion of Lomas Santa Fe Project Workshop
  • Santa Cycle with Surfrider

Meeting Notes by Jill Cooper:

Those present were Paul Dickstein, Shawna McGarry, Brian Seymour, Karl Rudnick, Jill Cooper, Dan Goldberg.
 
The majority of our discussion with Dan Goldberg, City Engineer, was a review of the Lomas Santa Fe Design Project Workshop held on October 30.
The presentation materials are currently available on the City of Solana Beach website. Members of the community are encouraged to write comments in support of the City’s design plan which might include suggestions for improvement (For example, standardize 10 foot wide travel lanes for cars, freeing up space for wider bike and pedestrian infrastructure). 
 
Dan stressed that comments should be sent to him at [email protected] as soon as possible
 
We noted positive aspects of the LSF Workshop, including
  • Excellent publicity from the City: an electronic traffic sign advertising the workshop, moved east and west along LSF Drive a week before October 30, City e-blasts, emails to people who have attended past workshops or shown an interest in the project and to all Solana Beach School District families.
  • BikeWalkSolana publicity: social media, personal contacts, paper BWS flyers given to Solana Vista and Skyline families AND electronic version posted on the Solana Beach School District publicity website Peachjar.
  • Dan noted “a lot of good comments,” including those supporting a multi-use path on the north side, which were forwarded to consultant Dawn Wilson.
  • An amazing turnout! It was standing room only, necessitating using the room adjacent to the Council Chambers.
  • The workshop format was very efficient and effective; presenters moved from table to table. Members of the community seated at the tables were able to ask questions and comment on each design section of the corridor. These included focus areas A – J, the multi-use path options, and the pocket park adjacent to Earl Warren Middle School. 
  • There was generally a positive feeling at the workshop

We noted that those at the workshop who regard the project in a negative light are concerned about costs in general, including for vegetation and irrigation, in the plans. There are some who say that Lomas Santa Fe should not be changed at all. Therefore, the City should make an effort to explain the project goals (A safer and more attractive Lomas Santa Fe Corridor for ALL users) and budget for the project.

 
Dan commented that it’s likely that City Staff and consultants will present their plan, using input from the workshop, to the City Council on January 22.
 
We agreed that Karl would write a letter of support from BWS for the City’s design which includes specific suggestions for improvements. Karl will send the letter out to our group later today. Please take a look at it and get back to him with your thoughts, if possible by tomorrow evening, Sunday, November 10. 
Thank you.
 
Other topics discussed at our meeting:
  • The need for a safe crossing to the beach at the north end of 101 in Solana Beach
  • Santa Cycle event sponsored by Surfrider on December 7
  • Encinitas Holiday Parade, also on December 7. 
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