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Live Oak Neighbors Meet to Discuss Improving Pedestrian and Bike Safety
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Live Oak Neighbors Meet to Discuss Improving Pedestrian and Bike Safety
By Debbie Friedman
When Bill Simpkins has an idea, people tend to listen. Not only was Bill’s father Alan the largest patron behind the Simpkins Swim Center in Live Oak, Bill has served on the Central Fire Board, along with joining in a variety of public and non-profit efforts. On Jan. 12, approximately 200 Live Oak neighbors gathered to talk about improving pedestrian and bike safety on East Cliff Drive from 17th Avenue to 41st Avenue.
Bill Simpkins, a Santa Cruz business owner and community activist, wants to see some improvements on East Cliff Drive. He created the Friends of East Cliff Committee and proposed the idea of making traffic one way from 17th to 41st Avenues to create an “esplanade” for walkers and bicyclists in the area. Currently a section of one-way traffic exists from 32nd to 41st Avenue. Simpkins has proposed that any changes could be tried for a year and if people don’t like it, they could return the road to the way it was.
Simpkins started the community meeting on Jan. 12 with the general idea of improving safety in the area, followed by a request from Supervisor Jan Beautz to facilitate a question-and-answer session.
According to David Reetz, Supervisor Beautz’ analyst, those at the meeting expressed a wide range of opinions about any proposed changes to the area. Some people were concerned that changing the entire stretch of road to one-way would increase congestion on adjacent roads. Some people liked the idea, but wanted to know more specifics about any project that might move forward, including costs. Others wanted no changes to the area at all.
Toward the end of the meeting, Supervisor Beautz asked for a show of hands on the following question, “Who supports better public safety for bicycles and pedestrians in the area?” All but two people in the audience raised their hands. According to Beautz, despite differing opinions on many of the issues that were raised, the group on the whole did support the idea of improving safety.
Live Oak Neighbors Support Idea
Linda Wilshusen was in attendance at the meeting. Wilshusen is in a unique position as a founding member of the Live Oak Neighbors and currently serves on the group’s steering committee. Wilshusen retired in December 2004 after nearly two decades as Executive Director of the County’s Regional Transportation Commission. In that job she supported more friendly pedestrian roadways.
“The way I read the group is that people wanted to have a gook bike and pedestrian pathway from 17th to 41st avenues. Design is the primary issue and how to deal with auto traffic,” Wilshusen said.
Wilshusen believes that if design issues can be resolved, funding might be available through a variety of resources. One potential source is the County’s Redevelopment Agency, which has funds available for these types of improvements.
John Akeman of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) attended the meeting. AMBAG, at the request of Congressman Sam Farr, is coordinating efforts to complete a recreational and scenic trail around the entirety of the Monterey Bay. AMBAG does make funds available for certain projects and it appears that this stretch of coast could tie in with future plans for the Monterey Bay Scenic Sanctuary Trail, which is currently being planned to thread through the County.
Live Oak residents also want the County to consider appearance along with functionality.
“I like to walk. Why not make a path as nice as West Cliff Drive?” asked Live Oak area resident Norm Poitevin.
For the past year and a half, Poitevin has volunteered as a leader for walking tours of the Live Oak area. He recently included a tour of East Cliff Drive along the coast. Poitevin supports a good pedestrian and bike path, but does not think one-way traffic along the entire stretch will work. He wants the traffic issues studied so that people can get in and out of the area without getting stuck.
Poitevin remains very open to the idea being studied and having the community involved in small groups so that they can provide specific feedback regarding how any proposal might affect a resident’s street.
Supervisor Beautz agreed that there need to be smaller, more focused meetings to address the many issues raised. She wants more community input and would like the County’s Public Works to consider some possible scenarios. Issues would include impacts on Portola Drive and access for public safety vehicles, as well as potential impacts on neighborhood streets.
To get on a mailing list for future meetings and updates, contact the office of Supervisor Beautz at 831-454-2200.
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