Traffic was the subject of the latest Coyote Valley community meeting on Feb. 23. While most of the community members and task force members are in agreement that the internal planning for Coyote Valley is smart, with a transit and pedestrian focus, many are concerned about the impact Coyote Valley will have on surrounding areas such as Almaden Valley and Morgan Hill.

The proposed project includes plans to transform 7,000 acres of the Coyote Valley into a community with 25,000 homes, 50,000 jobs and 50,000 residents.

Bob Boydston, an Almaden Valley resident, is particularly concerned about traffic on Almaden Expressway.

"Right now, Almaden Expressway is close to an 'F' rating in terms of level of service, and that's without the addition of cars from Coyote Valley," he said. "There's a [traffic] limit, and right now we're at the limit during rush hour."

Boydston fears the external infrastructure is not being examined as closely as it should.

"Are they going to put 17 lanes on U.S. Highway 101?" he asked.

In order to accommodate the extra cars, planners are looking into widening Monterey Highway. They also plan on having a Caltrain stop in Coyote Valley, so commuters going to downtown San Jose will have an option other than driving.

Coyote Valley task force co-chairwoman and District 10 Councilwoman Nancy Pyle said traffic in Almaden will not be an issue if Coyote Valley is done right.

"If we do the proper job that we say we're going to do, transportation will either stay put, because the jobs are there, be southbound, or people will be on the train," she said. "If anything, I think traffic will be alleviated. At least that's my goal."

In terms of the internal traffic in Coyote Valley, the task force is planning for a pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented community, with plenty of bike lanes and sidewalks. However, Laurel Prevetti from the planning department said light rail from the Valley Transportation Authority could not be counted on because of VTA's budget deficit. While light rail is something the planners want in Coyote Valley, it may not be a feasible option. However, other modes of public transportation, such as buses, will be encouraged.

Another traffic concern was expressed by Ralph Lyle from Morgan Hill, who worries Morgan Hill will not only suffer from congestion, but also bear the brunt of the reduced air quality from the added cars.

The traffic studies will not be made available until the entire environmental impact report is released in September. The next task force meeting is March 13 at city hall in wing rooms 118, 119 and 120 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information and agenda materials visit http://www.sanjoseca.gov/coyotevalley/.