The Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously at their March 3, 2009
meeting to support the Colorado route, oppose the proposed maintenance
yard next to a residential neighborhood, and make a number of other comments
on the Expo Line phase 2 Draft EIR (staff
report). Here is the city's meeting
wrap-up:
Exposition Light Rail Phase 2 - Recommendations for Response to
the Draft EIR
In responding to the Expo LR Draft EIR, the Council asked staff to include
the following comments:
The Council adopted a policy of support for the �Colorado� alternative
as the alignment for Exposition Light Rail Phase 2;
The Council adopted a policy to vigorously oppose the locating the maintenance
yard in the proposed location next to a residential neighborhood and to
send letters to Board members requesting the Expo Authority to be vigilant
and serious about searching for an alternative maintenance yard site that
is not located next to a residential neighborhood.
The Council also:
(1) Directed staff to explore with a narrower track width configuration
on Colorado Avenue west of 17th Street, to accommodate on-street parking
on both sides of the street;
(2) Directed staff to analyze parking needs for each station and return
to Council with recommendations before the Expo Authority has finalized
park-and-ride recommendations;
(3) Directed staff to work with Metro to obtain a waiver or a revised
policy so that riders pay for the use of any parking near rail stations
within the City of Santa Monica;
(4) Directed staff to work with the Expo Authority and the bicycling
community to resolve the Expo Bike Path routing and address bike access
to the stations;
(5) Directed staff to work with the Expo Authority to minimize the visual
impact of overhead train electrification wires;
(6) Directed staff to work with the Expo Authority to ensure the adopted
budget for the Expo Phase 2 project includes compensation to the City
for use of the City-owned property at 4th Street and Colorado.
(7) Directed staff to include comments about access for schools and others
to integrate and connect with the LR.
Additionally, the Council adopted a resolution declaring the City�s standards
and practices for curb return radii and curb access ramps at street
intersections, which will serve to minimize the number of property acquisitions
required for the Light Rail project in Santa Monica.
