Better Overland Project

Alleged the city claimed $1.24 million in Measure R/M money Metro hadn't approved and never disclosed the 1,000-signature opposition petition in its Better Overland grant application.

Pointed out the Metro application schedule said construction would start January 2027 while the city website now says 2028–2029, and questioned unexplained budget line items.

Cited the bike/ped committee's 'fully funded' description versus a planned $250,000 general fund match and an unsigned environmental resolution sent to Metro.

Asked the city to write Metro a public letter correcting the record, have Metro re-review the project, and answer questions publicly before spending more money.

Referenced the late audit and officials' comments about prior accounting problems, asking the council to direct the city manager to correct the record with Metro before any further vote.

Opposed the Overland bike lanes, citing 3,000 petition signatures, lost parking hurting businesses, and called the process 'smoke and mirrors.'

Told the committee to consider all design consequences, referencing the Venice Blvd dooring death.

Reiterated opposition to Overland bike lanes and new design options, saying the city should spend on sidewalks, potholes, and sewers instead; also criticized sidewalk riding safety.

Asked for a transparent town hall, questioned funding sources, the bridge connection, and disability accommodations.

Favored unidirectional lanes over a two-way cycle track on busy Overland, supported raised lanes when feasible but wanted the full project completed first; questioned the 3,000-signature petition's residency.

Argued 'safety delayed is safety denied' — design is already council-approved 5-0, so build it now and add fancier treatments later.

Urged the DAC to send a member to the September 14 City Council meeting to report its concerns about the Better Overland project, noting a petition with over 30,500 signatures asking to halt the project and put it on the ballot.

Asked the council to adjust the Better Overland project, citing removal of the right-turn lane at Washington and the senior center and CEQA obligations Sony paid for.

Asked the council to rescind the Better Overland project and let residents vote on it, noting council members take pride in being first and should be first to listen.

Asked the committee to pause the Better Overland project, add crosswalks, fix sidewalks, and consider pedestrians; noted EMTs parking where a protected bike lane would go and said the Fire Marshal had not signed off on the project.

Presented over 3,000 petition signatures opposing Better Overland, citing accessibility, cut-through traffic, and business parking impacts; asked for a ballot referral.

Supported Dr. Jeanne Black's letter debunking opponent claims — only 44 parking spaces removed, turn lanes retained, ADA compliant, extensive outreach done.

Read resident comments opposing removal of parking and turn lanes for a bike-only lane on Overland, calling it a disaster for traffic and air quality.

Cited World Cup viewing parking woes and the 1994 Sony turn lanes, saying residents don't want the project and will vote out supporters.

Presented a petition with over 3,400 signatures against the Better Overland Project and asked Puza, Fish and McMorrin to rescind their votes.

The PRCS commissioner, speaking personally, opposed the Overland project, saying 90% of nearby residents don't know it's happening.

Asked the committee to pause the Better Overland project, saying it took her 18 minutes instead of 6 to reach the pool and that removing turn lanes and Rotary Plaza access would violate the ADA for seniors and disabled students.

28-year Overland Avenue resident and daily cyclist said existing bike lanes are fine and opposed spending taxpayer money on the project.

44-year Oberlin Avenue resident with declining health said she depends on curb access for Uber rides and asked the city to leave the street as is.

Windsor Fountains condo owner gave formal notice of legal, ADA, and safety concerns: a new crosswalk and signal outside bedroom windows and loss of curb access for elderly residents.

Warned the council to remember the Washington Boulevard MOVE project 'fiasco' and not to remove lanes or parking on two major thoroughfares.

A 32-year resident and lifelong bike commuter who is 'normally gung-ho' on bike lanes said this one is badly implemented and won't make things safer.

A parks commissioner speaking personally and a former 4,000-6,000-mile-a-year cyclist said protected lanes are scary and the corridor carries 15,000 cars versus about 50 cyclists a day.

A 43-year nurse and Windsor Fountains senior said removing all curbside access would endanger seniors who rely on paratransit and ride-share drop-offs, calling the lack of outreach 'shameful.'

An attorney and Windsor Fountains resident said he's heard no persuasive argument for changes that would hurt residents and urged the council to kill that part of the project.

A 50-year resident said Overland is a working corridor; removing parking pushes impacts into side streets like Lindbergh Park and removing turn lanes creates congestion.

A 20-year Windsor Fountains resident said removing all west-side parking forces residents to park blocks away, creating safety risks especially for women at night.

Opposed the changes and asked for a hard-copy printout of the grant agency's contact information so he can protest by handwritten letter.

A resident since 1991 who drives National-to-pool daily said removing the right turn lane and parking will gridlock the corridor and warned 'this is not a hippie movement.'

BPAC chair urged approval of consent item C-3 and support for Alternative B on action item A-2.