Neighborhood Action Team Meeting March 24

One thing was clear at the Michael Lane traffic meeting   – some Michael Lane residents do not appear to be interested in hearing their neighbors concerns.  In fact, some members of the Michael Lane Homeowners Association (MLHOA) resorted to name calling, shouted down others, and became so offensive that one Lucas Drive resident is seeking legal guidance to stop further verbal abuse and harassment.

The meeting was attended by approx. 10 Michael Lane residents, 2 Lucas Drive residents and three members of the city traffic planning department. 

To date, the City staff has developed six different proposals to address Michael Lane residents’ concerns on traffic and safety.  Michael Lane Homeowners Association (MLHOA)  presented a four-page, single-space letter on the day of the meeting, which signed by 17 Michael Lane residents.  The following points are taken from that letter:

1. Michael Lane residents oppose limits to parking on the hill.

From the MLHOA letter:

“Removing the parking (on the hill) would increase safety for those speeding and decrease it for those trying to access the street, that is the residents of Michael Lane who try and pull their vehicles in to the street, adults and children riding their bikes, and residents walking and jogging on the street…If drivers using Michael Lane are concerned with the width of the road, …they are free to use other, wider roads.”

Please Note:  City Engineer Tony Coe stated that the City agrees that there is a problem at the top of the hill and that the City is obligated to address it.

2. Michael Lane residents oppose installation of a sidewalk or other path on the west side of Michael providing access to the new trail along Murray.  

(A City report notes that this could be done with minimal impact, because area is flat and empty, except for some landscaping).

From the MLHOA letter:

“The MLHOA does not support sidewalks anywhere along Michael Lane due to:

a) the intrusion in to existing landscaping

b) the unwanted change in the character of the street

c) the limited effect on safety (bicycle riding is shown to be safer in the road)”

3. Michael Lane residents want a variety of speed control measures installed.

In their letter, Michael Lane residents ask for speed restriction measures on both sections of Michael Lane (from Lucas to Murray AND Murray to Glenside) including a combination of speed humps, textured pavement, bump outs, traffic circles, flashing lights and signage.   While they concede that lesser measures can be used on Glenside to Murray section, they suggest a  “gateway treatment” such as a “Welcome to Burton Valley” sign with landscaping  be installed either at Glenside and Michael or in a traffic circle in the wide part of the street near the intersection of Murray.

Who will be responsible for landscaping gateways, circles or bumpouts?

The City officials noted that although the city would install any approved landscaping, Michael Lane residents would be responsible for maintaining it, including watering, weeding and trimming growth to keep sightlines clear.  The city report prepared for the Feb. 15 meeting noted at least five properties on Michael right now where overgrown vegetation interferes with sight lines, contributing to a hazardous situation.  The City confirmed that they are issuing a formal trim notice on at least one home.

What are the neighborhood concerns?

There have been four neighborhood meetings and residents from several areas of Burton Valley have written letters or emails asking questions or  expressing concerns. In their letter, Michael Lane residents say they are still not clear on neighborhood concerns. 

From the MLHOA letter:

“Our collective notes are not clear in regards to what the concerns of the Lucas

Drive residents are. We will ask the question at the upcoming NAT meeting of the Lucas residents. We are also requesting that staff please let the group know what the record from the meeting shows on this it will help the MLHOA and the NAT to develop a mutually acceptable solution.”

In short, the issues that have been raised and discussed at meetings and in correspondence include:

• Concern that harsh speed control measures on Michael Lane will channel more (and faster) traffic onto Burton Drive, which is heavily used by schoolchildren, moms with strollers, dog walkers, joggers, kids on bikes, etc.
• Dangerous conditions on Michael Lane due to parked cars and overgrown bushes
• A balanced approach -- concern for safety throughout the neighborhood, not just on one street
• Allocation of limited city funds to the highest priority projects and areas of greatest need

Next meeting:  Thursday, April 21, 6:30 p.m. at the Lafayette City Offices, in Descoe Plaza, 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd.  Please email Transportation Planner Leah Greenblat at lgreenblat@ci.lafayette.ca.us  with questions, comments or concerns.