01/19/2018
THIS IS A COPY OF OUR PROPOSAL TO THE CITY
Hancock St. Neighborhood Business Association
Public comment on PROJECT No. 561546
We are the Hancock Neighborhood Business Association, and we are offering our feedback as a part of the Public Review of Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan, PROJECT No. 561546.
The Hancock Neighborhood Business Association (HNBA) is composed of the following participating businesses; Culture Shock Dance Center, San Diego Circus Center, Cali-Coast Elite Gymnastics, Bikram Yoga College, Vertical Hold Climbing Gym, and Murphy Construction.
We are specifically concerned with the portion of the plan described on page 45 of the mobility report, section 3.4.2 Bicycle Improvements.
" Class II Bike Lanes in both directions along Hancock Street between Old Town Avenue and Noell Street.”
We are happy to see improvements being made for bicyclists, but as our neighborhood has major parking congestion issues, we would like for the city to consider our proposal, “The South Hancock Shareway” alternative. It is an inexpensive solution that is balanced and serves the local business community, and provides for the safety of bicyclists.
Instead of two Class II Bike Lanes, we would like for the planning board to consider:
The South Hancock Shareway
A Class III Bike Route through this corridor, creating "shareways" in both directions along Hancock St. between Witherby and Noell. There should be abundant signage and painted “sharrows”.
Back in Angled parking along the eastern curbline of Hancock St. Currently, this side of Hancock has non-designated parallel parking. This parallel parking should be replaced with back-in angled parking stalls. When leaving the back-in angled parking space, drivers have an unobstructed view of traffic and can enter the traffic stream directly. According to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, back-in angle parking provides motorists with better vision of pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicles, and other road users as they exit a parking space and enter moving traffic. Back-In angle parking also eliminates the danger of bicycles colliding with open car doors, which would be a problem with the current Community Plan.
Back in Angled parking along the western curbline of Hancock St. Currently, this side of the street has wide and crudely painted angled parking stalls. Repainting with back in angled parking along the western curbline of Hanckock would help with bicycle safety and help add to the parking.
Narrowing of the traffic corridor. This would have a speed softening effect, helping with pedestrian, cyclist and motorist safety..
We are asking for the support of our District #2 City Councilmember Lorie Zapf, and we hope those tasked with reviewing the Midway Pacific Community Plan will consider the needs of the neighborhood businesses and our community. This is an opportunity for a fair compromise. Please support this common sense plan and help our neighborhood.
