Published in Tri Valley Herald, Saturday, March 24, 2001=20=20=20=20
Pleasanton seeks solution to ACE overflow parking
FROM STAFF REPORTS
PLEASANTON -- Living next door to Pleasanton's historic downtown and
the Alameda County Fairgrounds can be a hassle, according to residents
who want the city to do more to protect them from overflow parking.
Most of the year, the biggest problem comes from what was supposed to
be a temporary Altamont Commuter Express passenger loading platform in
a 300-car parking lot at the fairgrounds.
About 350 passengers board the Stockton-to-San Jose passenger train in
Pleasanton, and some 40 vehicles end up parked on the west side of
Pleasanton Avenue instead of the parking lot.
It is believed some drivers are parking on the street even when there
is space in the lot so they can avoid the traffic jam that results
from parking in the lot.
A temporary solution is to open a second gate, on West Angela Street,
in and out of the parking lot, a step approved by the City Council on
Tuesday.
There were reservations about opening the West Angela gate because
drivers might cut through the neighborhood instead of using Pleasanton
Avenue.
The gate could be locked again if that happens.
Another solution would be to establish a residential parking permit
zone around the parking lot, like those in place around Amador and
Foothill high schools.
Parking on the street on weekday mornings and early afternoons is
restricted to residents who purchase permits for $10 a year.
The council Tuesday directed city staff to develop such a program.
But the permanent solution to overflow parking at the ACE station,
fairgrounds neighbors and Alameda County officials say, is to
establish a permanent ACE station on land the city is acquiring from
developers along Bernal Avenue.
The council directed staff to begin working with the county and ACE
officials on a plan for a permanent station.
Planning the station and finding money to build it is expected to take
some time, however.
In another step to address residents' complaints about overflow
parking, the City Council agreed to expand the area where parking on
the street is restricted during the two-week Alameda County Fair.
The no-parking area on St. Mary Street will be expanded to include the
stretch between the Union Pacific Railroad line and Division Street.
The City Council denied a request to create a residential parking
permit zone on Augustine Street, however, concurring with city staff
that such permit programs are less effective during special events
because parking restrictions are likely to be ignored.
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=A91999-2001 by MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
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