Update/Action Alert: Temple City Reconsiders Las Tunas Dr. Redesign, Solicits Public Input6/17/2015 In fall/winter 2012 the City of Temple City hosted several public meetings to gather community input for the Las Tunas Drive revitalization project. The series of meetings was concluded with a Special Meeting of the City Council on December 27, 2012. After hearing from several dozen members of the public (both for and against proposed improvements), and over four hours of presentations, public comment and discussion, the City's elected officials unanimously voted to reinvent Temple City's stagnant downtown by selecting the most ambitious design concept - "Alternative 3" - and its vision for a more vibrant, people-friendly business district. Key elements of Alternative 3 included:
However, the concept was not without its detractors then. And a small but vocal group who feared the proposed changes would result in traffic congestion and hurt local business back in 2012 has succeeded in persuading the City and staff to consider a watered-down alternative. Pictured below, the new proposal would NOT widen sidewalks, plant new parkway street trees, or install back-in angled parking. Although Class II Bike Lanes remain in the proposed design (in part due to several million dollars in grant funding already secured by the City for pedestrian and bike improvements), the lanes would now be in the "door-zone" of the parallel parking, making them less safe than the lanes alongside the back-in angled parking unanimously voted upon and approved by the City Council in December 2012. The City's leadership has also changed since 2012, with a new City Manager and two new Council Members - William Man and Nanette Fish - having inherited the project. Although the other three Council Members - Mayor Tom Chavez, Vice Mayor Vincent Yu, and Cynthia Sternquist - all supported "Alternative 3" in 2012, it remains to be seen how the new Council Members stand on the proposed Complete Street improvements. It is thus critical that local residents and patrons of the district once again take the time to share their thoughts on and support for the original proposal. Especially if you live or shop in Temple City, or would be more likely to do so if it was more bike/ped/transit friendly, local decision makers need to hear from you! Comments can be submitted via email to the below copied addresses. Sample points and a template letter of support also follow. For more info about the Las Tunas Project, check out the City’s project website (www.lastunasdr.com). Public comments should be submitted to the following addresses: lastunas@templecity.us vinceyu@templecity.us csternquist@templecity.us tchavez@templecity.us wman@templecity.us nfish@templecity.us A Few Benefits of People-friendly "Complete Streets"1. Improve Safety
Sample Letter of Support (please personalize)Public comments should be submitted to the following addresses:
lastunas@templecity.us vinceyu@templecity.us csternquist@templecity.us tchavez@templecity.us wman@templecity.us nfish@templecity.us -------------------Template letter (please personalize)---------------------- Temple City Council 9701 Las Tunas Dr. Temple City, CA 91780 RE: Support for a Safer, Calmer, More Vibrant Las Tunas Drive Honorable Mayor Chavez, Members of the City Council and City Staff, As a member of the public who [lives/rides/shops] in Temple City, I wholeheartedly support your efforts to make Las Tunas Dr. a vibrant business district that is easily accessible by foot, bike, transit and automobile. In particular, I support the use of the following to the existing street design:
These improvements would make Las Tunas safer for all road users - motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users - as well as create a healthier, more active and vibrant streetscape. Rather than speed by existing storefronts as is currently the norm, visitors to the City would be greeted by a greener, calmer Las Tunas Dr., a destination rather an east-west cut through for non-residents and commuters. As local leaders, you have the power to realize a truly pedestrian-, transit- and bicycle-friendly downtown. I hope you will take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the City into a healthier, more sustainable future. Sincerely, Your Name
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