The Sunnyvale Sun

News

Kaiser left-turn lane tops talk about 'study'

By Cody Kraatz

The Sunnyvale City Council got an earful on Jan. 8 about some of the 102 "study issues" it will consider at a Jan. 25 workshop. It will rank the issues in order of importance, thus setting the 2008 council agenda according to limited staff resources.

A proposed left-turn signal from the north exit of the Kaiser Santa Clara Medical Center onto westbound Homestead Road dominated the debate.

Members currently have to turn right and make a U-turn to go west on Homestead. Kaiser said it had collected 2,200 postcards from the 32,000 to 35,000 Sunnyvale Kaiser members supporting the turn.

"It's not earth-shattering, but it is one of the most irritating things Sunnyvale has done in a long time," said Robert Wyckoff, a Kaiser member and resident of the Birdland neighborhood across the street. Others said the U-turn is dangerous.

Birdland resident Tap Merrick worries that the left turn will increase non-resident traffic in Birdland--the reason the turn was originally turned down.

But Kaiser officials and residents were skeptical and said that the study would provide a crucial, professional analysis of various possible exits from Kaiser.

The study issue, expanded to look into other possible exits as well, is likely to rank high.

Additionally, community members proposed some study issues that picked up council member sponsorship and will be considered.

Jim Griffith, chair of the Library Board of Trustees, requested study of an automated library check in system and it was sponsored.

"Since Measure B did not pass, we are looking at ways to improve the library and make more efficient use of space," he said.

Councilman Dave Whittum said he would sponsor a number of study issues including some dealing with campaign reform, environmental impact management and residential parking permits in certain areas.

Visit studyissues.insunnyvale.com for more information.