Recently, a lawyer for CalTrans called the Sonoma County Department of Works and Transportation to find out what could be done to speed the Highway 12 improvement project along. The response from the county was something along the lines of, “Walk down the hall and get our plans approved so we can begin construction.”
Why the sudden interest in our little stretch of Highway 12? Apparently, CalTrans is being named in a class-action lawsuit by Disability Rights Associates. The named plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Californians for Disability Rights, Inc., the California Council for the Blind, Ben Rockwell (who has a mobility disability) and Dmitri Belser (who has a vision disability).
The lawsuit alleges that CalTrans has violated federal and state civil rights laws designed to provide people with disabilities full and equal access to pedestrian rights of way and Park and Ride facilities.
According to the complaint, “by law, CalTrans is in control of the California state highway system and is responsible for the proper installation and maintenance of the pedestrian rights of way found along state highways.”
I feel like rewriting the last sentence in bold for emphasis. Let’s shorten it up. “CalTrans is responsible for the proper installation and maintenance of the pedestrian rights of way found along state highways.”
Even with this fact floating around California’s Streets and Highway Code, residents of the Springs will be paying for the proposed safety improvements to the state’s property. To make matters worse, we have had the money on the table for the project for several years and have not even been able to get CalTrans approval to proceed with construction.
In early April, Sonoma County Public Works and Transportation submitted the required 65 percent plans to CalTrans for review. As of June 1, CalTrans had not returned or approved the plans. And so we wait some more. Month after month, year after year, county officials and the Sonoma Valley Redevelopment Advisory Committee review the progress being made by county staff in the negotiations with CalTrans to begin construction. Each month we learn of a new obstacle to overcome.
Even if the 65 percent plans are approved by CalTrans tomorrow, we have another problem in the long list of stalls. Specifically, CalTrans has stated that it will not accept maintenance responsibility of the sidewalks, gutters, curbs and lighting once we construct them. Sonoma County also refuses to accept responsibility for maintenance because it is not in the business of paying to maintain state property. In a meeting held some months ago, an agreement was supposedly reached, but to date, there is not a signed agreement in place.
Although county staff assures me that there will be plenty of money in the next 18 years of Springs redevelopment to do everything outlined in our strategic plan, I still can’t help feeling as if CalTrans is ripping us off. Why don’t they have to obey the state laws? While CalTrans has stalled the installation of sidewalks, gutters, curbs and lighting for the last several years, the construction costs have doubled to a staggering estimate of $13 million. In order to complete the project, we will have to promise away millions of tax dollars that we haven’t even collected yet. This feat of bureaucratic strength will be accomplished by making an attempt to get the cap raised on the amount of tax dollars that can be spent on our redevelopment project area.
If all goes well with removing layers upon layers of red tape, the cap will be raised and we will be able to complete the goal of creating a safe and attractive pedestrian environment along Highway 12. The vision for the future of the Springs is described in the just completed Sonoma Valley Redevelopment Area Strategic Plan. The plan was developed over the last two years by the RAC, redevelopment staff and input from the community. The resulting document is thoughtful and complete, and will act as a compass for improving our community over the years that remain in the redevelopment project lifetime.
The new strategic plan outlines priority actions for the redevelopment area. Quoting from the document, “The single priority action, constructing Highway 12 improvements, is the highest priority for implementation. The other actions are considered to be of equal importance and are listed alphabetically.”
Beyond Highway 12 improvements, the other actions include:
• Acquire sites for affordable housing.
• Assist new and existing businesses, including “green” businesses, and advertise the benefits of locating a business in the area.
• Conduct a parking analysis.
• Create a public plaza that is a central gathering place and part of an activity hub.
• Develop and promote home ownership and housing rehabilitation assistance programs.
• Establish a public art program.
• Encourage and support the development of healthcare services and facilities.
• Improve safety and security.
• Install crosswalks with flashing lights.
• Reduce blight and attract development by identifying vacant sites and consolidating small parcels.
• Require pedestrian amenities along Highway 12.
• Support and expand the “Springs Cleaning” program with an emphasis on reduction, re-use and recycling.
Due to the negligence of CalTrans and the State of California addressing safety issues on Highway 12, our tax dollars could fall short of realizing The Vision of the Future described in the Sonoma Valley Redevelopment Area Strategic Plan. As a result, our underserved, hard-working and well-deserving community will pay the bill for what should be the state’s responsibility to the safety of its citizens.
To hear more updates on the Highway 12 improvement project, and other projects being funded by the Sonoma Valley Redevelopment project, please join us at our next meeting, Thursday, June 7, 7-9 p.m. at The Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club in Maxwell Park. To review the Strategic Plan in its entirety, please visit www.sonoma-county.org/cdc/redevSonomaValley.htm or feel free to contact me via e-mail.
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