Traffic calming along 17th Street was the focal topic of the meeting. Adam Gubser, of MTA, attended the last meeting in April and discussed the process of slowing the traffic along the 17th Street corridor. MTA has been aware of the problem for some time, but would prefer to hear from the residents before designing any type of plan. We needed to get a minimum of 10 signatures to begin the application process. We submitted 40. Because we've demonstrated a concern and are willing to work with MTA to come up with a plan, it now appears that we'll be one of the next neighborhoods to be addressed.
First off, we will almost definitely receive a "speed radar sign" similar to the one on Market near Eureka. These signs flash the speed you're traveling as you pass them. The process that leads to a traffic calming solution is a bit lengthy and convoluted; First the homeowners fronting the area where the few parking spaces will be lost are notified. Then a rough draft of some potential solutions is produced and shown to the Fire Dept. and Traffic & Engineering. If they approve the plan, the neighbors (half block in either direction) are given a ballot. If 20% of those residents respond with a 51% positive vote, then the plan can go on to the next step - a public hearing.
Chicanes, which are bulbouts or traffic diverters, are one possible solution. A central median is another. In any case, we would lose a few parking spaces, and gain a few trees. The length of the chicane or median, and the number of parking spaces that need to be sacrificed, will be determined by MTA, and will be based on the amount of time it takes to slow vehicles down to the existing 25 mph speed limit.
There are several other steps before implementation. We will have a committee of neighbors that will meet to go over the plan. We will have a say in what is ultimately constructed. And I'll let you know the progress as it occurs.
A few concerns that were brought up were:
- Why don't we just put up a STOP sign? The purpose of a STOP sign is to yield the right of way - not to slow traffic. MTA's experts also feel that a STOP sign on such a steep grade would cause more accidents than it would prevent.
- Can we do something at Ord where there is no STOP sign, and at Roosevelt where cars regularly speed thru also? Not at this time. MTA's funds are limited, and the bigger problem is in the center of the grade. One problem at a time.
- If cars are diverted to the right while going downhill, what about the danger to pedestrians, cars, homes and street trees as they turn towards the curb? This is apparently a common concern. Adam told me that there are several options in dealing with this issue. We haven't gone over them yet.
- Could 17th Street be made 1-way going up, and divert the downhill traffic somewhere else? 17th Street is a main east/west artery, and there is no other street that could replace it.
Undergrounding: The news is better than I was led to believe prior to the meeting. PG&E is about finished. They have deliberately left 3 light poles up - mostly for the purpose of continuing to provide electricity to Comcast until Comcast is finished. According to my last report, they should now be finished also.
AT&T is another story; between both of the undergrounding phases in our area - upper and lower Corbett - there are still about 100 homes that have not been converted. I was originally told that finishing the final conversions, and removing the light poles and doing the finished concrete work would take us into January and beyond. This is apparently not the case. The person who gave the faulty report is new! We are still on track for September-ish. Corbett Heights Neighbors will be helping out to expedite the process.
About 2 years ago, the company that PG&E subcontracted with to do its work on Corbett, missed several deadlines, and had some considerable screwups. They were fined a substantial amount. After lots of negotiating, emailing and calling, for over a year, we are now on track to receive a "gift" for having to live thru the agony of their construction delays. Corbett, from Danvers to Douglass will be repaved this November. That stretch of road was severely damaged during the undergrounding.
Several of our neighborhood parks are in terrible condition. We formed a "garden committee" earlier this year, but so far we've only had one garden cleanup day, and it was not well attended. At the meeting several people signed up to be on a list to be notified when we have the next one. If you would like to be added to that list, PLEASE let me know. The next park that will be addressed is Ord Triangle Park at 17th, Corbett and Douglass. After that - or at the same time, we'll be doing the Corbin Steps. And Merritt Park after that. It makes for a fun and rewarding few hours.
Recently there was a hoard of skateboarders that descended on Corbin Steps. It was apparently a planned, advertised event. We're hoping that this will not recur. The police eventually came to stop them.
Jane Warner, and the SF Patrol Special Police still do nightly drive-bys in our neighborhood. Several of us still send money for this service. I am still convinced that their presence has helped keep crime at a minimum. If you are able and willing to help support them, please let me know. They are privately financed, and they are patrolling our streets for free - almost! Jane let me know that they would be happy to come out and deal with issues such as the skateboarding if we give them a call during the hours that they are on duty: Sunday thru Wednesday, 3PM - 11PM. Thursday thru Saturday, 6PM - 2AM. The phone number to call is: 415-559-9955. Please consider a small monthly contribution.
I will be speaking with Capt. Teresa Barrett of Park Station very soon. She was unable to attend this meeting but asked for you to let me know if there are any issues, or questions of the police department. When I spoke with her in January, I told her that the presence of patrol cars prior to her becoming Captain was non-existent. She promised to have cars patrolling frequently. Several of us have noticed the increase, and it's greatly appreciated.
Over the last several months, 2 very generous neighbors have spent hours and hours working on a neighborhood blog and a website for Corbett Heights Neighbors. Kevin Dunn has gotten the blog together. It will allow you to see up-to-date information and to contact us.
And Michael Sterling has spent months working on our new website. Both the blog and the website are up and running - although a bit of refining will be next. Here are the links:
Blog: http://corbettheights.blogspot.com/
Website: http://corbettheights.org/
If you are interested in having a bigger part in working with and improving your neighborhood, PLEASE - your help in running Corbett Heights Neighbors would be greatly welcomed.
And last, but far from least, it's dues time!
Dues are $15 per year per household. Most of that goes towards improving our parks and the printing of fliers. You will also continue to receive neighborhood updates.
That's it for now -
Gary
