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Council to draft a letter to NASA/AMES
By Jana Seshadri
After hearing the concerns of the Sunnyvale Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, city council went against staff's recommendation and decided to draft a letter to NASA/AMES. The letter will ask that cycling issues be taken into account during the forthcoming redevelopment project at Moffett Field.
Linda Eaton, chairwoman of the committee said at the Dec. 17 meeting that she believed it necessary that the Sunnyvale City Council draft a letter to NASA/AMES relaying their expertise and know-how on the issue and addressing the committee's three major concerns.
First, the committee wants to request NASA/Ames use the services of a traffic-engineering firm with specific expertise and experience in designing for bicycle accommodation in all new development.
Second, the committee suggests that NASA/AMES adopt a policy to coordinate bicycle facility planning with all surrounding communities. Eaton said the Valley Transportation Agency has led an effort to encourage the development of cross-county bicycle routes and the committee would like any Moffett Field development to complement that effort.
Third, the group would like
NASA/AMES to adopt the VTA Bicycle Technical Guidelines to be used for all new development, which will ensure secure bicycle parking and a design conducive to safe bicycling.
Kevin Jackson, a member of the committee said that because the Moffett Field Redevelopment Project is very close to Sunnyvale, an inappropriate design would greatly impact traffic issues in the city.
After submitting a report to council, Jack Witthouse, traffic and transportation manager for Sunnyvale, recommended that the council not draft a letter to NASA/AMES at this time. Witthouse suggested that staff send one letter, which would contain concerns and suggestions from the Sunnyvale council members, the Sunnyvale Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Sunnyvale staff.
Councilman Walker suggested the process would be more efficient and would have better results if NASA/AMES and the committee talk directly with each other during their next meeting. Councilwoman Vorreiter agreed with Walker and said that dialogue is the best opportunity to get feedback and voice concerns. However, the motion failed on a 3-4 vote, with council members Fowler, Miller, Risch and Howe voting against a direct meeting.
The council passed a motion 4-3 to ask staff to draft a letter addressing all of the advisory committee's concerns, with council members Walker, Vorreiter and Valerio dissenting.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
