We had a good turnout for the last Chula Vista City Council meeting. There were three residents who spoke then the mayor and some city councilmen mentioned that they wanted SANAG to come back and present about the problems we have been bringing up. You can view streaming video of the two meetings we attened for January 12th and 26th, 2010 here http://chulavista.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2. please cut and paste into your browser.
one resident who spoke had a very well thought out comment;
Excerpt of comments by a Treviana resident before the Chula Vista City Council on Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council –
Among the many reasons that went into our decision to choose Treviana was the overall planning that went into the Otay Ranch area of Chula Vista. With its wide transportation corridors, abundant green areas, pedestrian friendly walkways and bike paths, proximity to shopping, and environmental sensitivity, this area for us was definitely what we wanted. In addition, knowing the importance of public rapid transportation, the fact that the Otay Ranch area would be served by such a corridor (as was so clearly designated all along the East Palomar route) was also another positive factor.
The proposed RT route, as you know, is located within a median strip along East Palomar Street and is framed by beautiful trees and is buffered on both sides by the roadway itself. This important buffer assures a minimization of impacts to surroundings residences. Another point that is important to mention: the median is clearly labeled along its entire length as a “Future Site – Rapid Transit Corridor.”
None of this, however, is the case when the proposed RT route reaches the end of East Palomar at Magdalena. The median ends! There is then a 35 foot green area which lies between the Treviana and Monet communities, but for all intents and purposes this appears to have been a design feature of the two communities, provided to enhance the lifestyle of those areas…a place for children to play, for walking your dogs, and a vital connection point between the two residential areas. This green area was not only an attraction for us when we purchased our home…but also for all other residents I have spoken with.
If there had been a continuation of the labeling of this area as a “Future Site – Rapid Transit Corridor”…or if there had been a continuation of at least a buffer – the width of the roadway plus the median (as it is along all the other parts of the proposed corridor set within East Palomar Street), common sense would have then dictated what was to be the ultimate intended purpose of this particular green area. But, again, that is not the case.
We are now faced with a potential RT corridor which in some instances will have its right-of-way, at some points, only 11 feet from residences. This, we feel, is wrong…and certainly a planning oversight which should have been addressed when these two subdivisions were initially approved. We understand that SANDAG considers this to be their “preferred” routing, but, for sure, there ARE other alternatives that can be considered which would not significantly alter the integrity of the RT route…or deviate from its intended goals.
As is, we strongly feel that this proposed segment of the route will have severe and profound impacts on the residents of the Treviana and Monet communities in terms of safety, noise, light, visual impacts, removal of vegetation and construction activity. We also feel that that the development of this segment as part of the RT corridor is a betrayal of our understanding of this green area when we purchased our homes.
We very respectfully urge your assistance in assuring that another, less impacted, segment is ultimately chosen.
We still need to make more nosie! Use the information that SANDAG gave us to ask everyone of your questions/concerns so that we show that they dismissed the concerns at the meeting with the Treviana HOA. Write letters to the Mayor, city council, our represenitive etc. Contact the news paper, station, or community activist like Turko, and tell them what’s going on! If you would like to start a letter writing campaign please let me know at MonetResident@yahoo.com.
Monet & Treviana Communities 
In response to an invitation to address Monet and Treviana residents, please know that Chula Vista Mayor Cox has responded as follows:
“Our City Manager has asked SANDAG staff to postpone SANDAG’s forwarding of the Chula Vista-related BRT to SANDAG’s Transportation Committee until Chula Vista staff can review the project one more time with SANDAG staff.
I’ve asked Mr. Sandoval (CM) when he anticipates to meet. I’ve also asked if SANDAG might hold another public meeting following getting together with our staff. I imagine that should be accomplished within 30 days. Having a bit more informatioion would help the residents …. I have inquired as to the location that SANDAG used to hold a series of meetings in your area, possibly a school auditorium or a church assembly room, so that there’s plenty of parking.”
She will respond to me within approximately 2 weeks to follow up on the city’s revisiting of the project details with SANDAG. As soon as she does, I will post it on this blog.
This sounds great. When you let me know I’ll splash this on the main page of the blog so more people can find out about it and start letting the community around know about it with other forms of fliers and person to person communication.
It’s nice to see a member of the Monet HOA Board getting involved in this issue..