Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 1 of 17
Open House Summary Introduction
On Thursday, November 16, 2017, the City of Elk Grove (City) held a third Community Open
House for the Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study. More than 60 community
members attended the open house at the Franklin High School Cafeteria, located at 6400
Whitelock Parkway in Elk Grove from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Project Team
The following project team members were
present at the open house:
• Mike Costa, City of Elk Grove
• Tom Metcalf, City of Elk Grove
• Kevin Bewsey, City of Elk Grove
• Adam Dankberg, Kimley-Horn
• Jake Hermle, Kimley-Horn
• Krista Pederson, Kimley-Horn
• Daniel Harrison, Kimley-Horn
Project Overview
Commuters traveling between Elk Grove and the Sacramento region currently have the
option of driving, carpooling, taking the e-Tran express bus, or driving to a Regional Transit
station in Sacramento. The provision of a multi-modal facility in Elk Grove may allow for a
new commuter rail (Amtrak) station, providing commuter service between Sacramento and
Bakersfield, as well as a convenient location to access and transfer between transit services
such as local and commuter buses.
In the future, the multi-modal facility may include services such as light rail or bus rapid
transit (BRT). The City is studying the potential for a multi-modal facility to provide access
to these alternative transportation options at one location.
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 2 of 17
The Elk Grove Multi-modal Facility Feasibility Study will:
• Identify and assess the feasibility of potential locations for a multi-modal facility
• Evaluate potential reductions to commuter traffic
• Identify potential site locations and select a preferred location using a detailed evaluation
process
• Inform future planning and funding efforts for a multi-modal facility
Open House Purpose
The community open house provided an opportunity for community members to learn about the
study, ask questions, and provide their input on the two preferred site locations of the multi-
modal facility.
Open house objectives included:
• Provide an overview of the feasibility
study, its purpose, and objectives
• Present the results of the draft
feasibility study
• Identify first and second preferred site
locations
• Discuss and gather input from
community members about the study
and preferred site locations
Open House Format
The open house included a presentation by Mike Costa, City of Elk Grove Acting Transit Manager.
The presentation included an overview of the goals and objectives for the study, the study
process, and the results of the draft feasibility study.
Presentation
Project Process
The Project process began by identifying potential site locations, estimating potential ridership
and congestion relief at those locations, and evaluating locations based on a set of evaluation
criteria. The City and Project team is now revising and recommending sites based on public
input. The study is on an eight to nine month schedule and is estimated to be completed in
January or February 2018.
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 3 of 17
Partnering Agencies
Partnering agencies in this study include the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA),
Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), and Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT).
About the Multi-Modal Facility
A multi‐modal facility in Elk Grove could provide a consolidated access point for bus, heavy rail,
and light rail transit. It could improve connectivity between different modes of transportation
while enhancing access to transportation alternatives to reduce traffic congestion and emissions.
Additionally, a facility could generate economic development and activity nearby by establishing
the facility as a destination in Elk Grove and by significantly enhancing transportation
connectivity for the area around the site.
Project Update
The City provided a status update to City
Council on October 25th. City Council directed
staff to focus on recommending potential sites
along the UPRR west side line (also known as
the Sacramento Subdivision), as this line is
where the SJJPA is planning to provide
passenger rail service. The SJJPA is planning
this because the east side line that they
currently use cannot add any more trains; in
order to increase the frequency of rail service,
the west side line must be used.
Site Requirements
The future site of a multi‐modal facility will need to meet certain requirements: enough space
for a 1,000‐foot long platform along rail tracks; five to ten‐acres for facilities such as parking;
connectivity to the existing transportation network including roads, bus lines, bike facilities, and
sidewalks; and minimal major environmental issues such as wetlands or soil contamination. The
Project team is also taking into consideration if a lot is already vacant or has low real estate
impacts, and estimated site design and construction costs.
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 4 of 17
Site Locations
The City had previously selected four site locations for further evaluation; two of these were not
along the west side line. Per Council direction, the City focused its evaluation on the two sites
adjacent to the west side line (sites W1 and W2) and added two additional sites for further
consideration (sites W3 and W4). The four sites for consideration are:
• Site W1 – Adjacent to the railroad tracks, north of Bilby Road
• Site W2 – Near the southwest corner of the Elk Grove Boulevard and Franklin Boulevard
intersection
• Site W3 – Adjacent to the railroad tracks, at the northeast corner of Laguna Boulevard
and Dwight Road
• Site W4 – Bounded by the railroad tracks to the east, Dwight Road to the west, and the
Elk Grove City limit to the north
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 5 of 17
Previous public input on site W1 received included comments that it was not in a central
location, would be most viable for commuting to Sacramento, and concerns regarding traffic,
crime, home values, and train noise. Input on site W2 included concerns about impacts to the
Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, view shed impacts, and concerns regarding traffic, crime,
home values, and train noise.
Next Steps
Next steps in the study will be to incorporate public input into the evaluation of potential sites
along the west side line, finalize the study report, and present the results to City Council.
Information Stations
Before and after the presentation, community members were encouraged to stop by three
information stations to learn more about the study and provide their input.
• Project Site Locations: This station provided an overview map of Elk Grove and the fourpotential site locations, sites W1 through W4.
• West Side Line Map: This station provided a zoomed-in, detailed map focusing on thearea immediately surrounding the west side rail line, and showed potential site locationsW1 through W4.
• Comments: This station provided community members with comment cards and pens to
provide questions and comments about the study.
Notification
To notify the community about the Community Open House, postcards were mailed to more
than 9,700 residents and property owners who live or own property in a neighborhood within
proximity to one of the sites potentially being considered for a future multi-modal facility. Email
notifications were sent to more than 210 interested community members. The Project team
reached out to neighborhood associations and homeowners associations near the proposed
potential multi-modal facility locations to share information about the open house with their
organizations and on their social media channels and newsletters if applicable.
Information about the open house was also featured on the City of Elk Grove’s website,
Facebook, and Twitter.
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 6 of 17
How did you hear about this open house?
Upon arrival at the open house, community members were asked to identify how they heard
about it. The graph below shows their responses.
Questions & Answers
After the presentation, the project team facilitation a Question and Answer discussion to address
community questions and comments. Below is a summary of the discussion.
• Question: Why do we need this? Is this a need or want?
o Response: There are multiple opportunities to connect to other cities; explore
opportunities; there is potential funding now; and the city would not fund it
entirely on its own.
• Question: We see that ACE may be a potential service here, but what are the multimodal
services that will be offered day 1 vs 5 years from now and how will we attract further
modes of transportation?
o Response: There is an existing Amtrak service that goes through Elk Grove already
operated by the San Joaquin Joint Powers authority (SJJPA). Its current service
utilizes one rail corridor that goes through Elk Grove and is in the process of
moving service to the west-side rail line. Once this Amtrak service is moved to the
west side line, it could immediately serve the Elk Grove station. The SJJPA also
works closely with ACE which would help advance the introduction of ACE service
54%
13%
12%
9%
6%4%
2%
Mailer
Nextdoor
Friend/Family
Neighbors
Social media
City Council Meeting
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 7 of 17
to Elk Grove. Locations on the west side rail corridor would not be served by Sac
RT bus or light rail, but E-tran bus service could adjust to serve these routes to
connect to the facility.
• Question: Can we refuse service to a company? For example, can we say “no Grey Hound
buses?”
o Response: We cannot answer that question at this point. This will be further
explored when site is selected.
• Question: How is this going to get commuter traffic going to Sacramento off the main
road? Are we funding intermodal transportation so Bay Area employees can afford to live
here instead?
o Response: The primary focus of this facility is not on reducing congestion, but
more on providing connections to other cities outside the Sacramento region and
to give people choices to use different modes of transportation. The intent of the
study is mainly to determine where a station should be located.
• Question: Can you define “centralized” access? What is the point of providing bike and
pedestrian access when it would take so long to get to these locations?
o Response: A centralized location, in our case, does not mean a geographic
centralized location, but a location where different modes can connect at one
point. Pedestrian traffic and bike access are not necessarily intended to provide
commuter relief, but give people more choices when it comes to transportation
modes.
• Question: Are real estate impacts a concern?
o Response: This is still something to consider. When we reported to council, the
feedback we received from them was that we should expand our options and
consider sites that we had previously ruled out because of possible real estate
constraints. These constraints will still be factored into the selection.
• Question: Is passenger rail service to the east not being considered any longer?
o Response: Correct; this is because there is a limit on the amount of passenger rail
service that could be provided on the east line. The line is owned by Union Pacific
Railroad and there is a lot of freight activity on that line, and Union Pacific is not
willing to accommodate any more passenger rail service than what is currently
provided, which is two trains in the morning and two trains in the evening.
• Question: Could the City decide to pick none of the sites?
o Response: City could direct staff to pick a preferred location or select multiple
locations for further study. It should be noted that the City has say on potential
station locations, but does not have jurisdiction over rail service. If we were to
progress toward building a station there would be further elements of the station
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 8 of 17
that would need to be negotiated with the rail corridor owner and the rail service
providers.
• Question: How much of the estimated cost is coming from City? Would any grant funding
commit us to specific modes, i.e. could this site be a park & ride?
o Response: We have not yet identified specific funding sources for the project. It
could potentially be fully funded through grants. Yes, the site could serve other
modes such as park & ride bus service. Further study needs to be done. West side
line runs through midtown to SMF which is a pro.
• Question: How was the traffic study made? Can the city have that much control over the
site?
o Response: All will be negotiated and agreed. We need to select a site, further
study it, and conduct further analysis.
• Question: You say it might not alleviate traffic, but “alleviating traffic” is in the RFP?
o Response: We have not yet made a determination on traffic impacts; these will be
determined based on ridership estimates which are not yet finalized.
• Question: Was a final study submitted at the October 25th council meeting? Did they vote
on October 25?
o Response: Council did not vote on October 25th; City staff provided a presentation
but did not submit any documents to Council. The draft report is not yet finalized.
• Question: Have the citizens be surveyed? How did they determine the City residents want
this?
o Response: The City General plan indicates that it should investigate opportunities
to provide multi-modal transportation options. For example, the City provides
local and commuter bus service. Additionally, City Council has asked staff to look
into the possibilities of light rail or passenger rail service in the City. The study is
focused more on what the site location should be in the event that it decides a
facility should be built.
• Question: The focus used to be getting jobs here not just beds here. Did that focus
change?
o Response: While this study is focused just on transportation, City Council is
looking at the Southeast Policy Area as an opportunity to provide employment in
the City. Additionally, the facility could potentially enable more access to jobs and
other destinations within Elk Grove.
• Question: Are you going to address the potential negative impacts of this facility on
crime? I read in USA Today that 21 of the 26 central station neighborhoods have crime
that is four times the national average. You need to address the potential negative
impacts.
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 9 of 17
o Response: We could look at those crime impacts. It’s hard to say an absolute
about any of them.
• Comment: The map on the far right is a mirror image of the community. I do not like sites
1 and 2; they are not in a central location. I’m concerned about the impacts of travelers
headed to the casino planned nearby.
• Question: What does the wildlife refuge have to say about Site 2? Have you looked at
cost of environmental mitigation?
o Response: We did reach out to the wildlife refuge and they did express concerns
about that location. We would definitely need to have further discussions about a
site at the refuge. Right now, at a high level, we have determined that there is
some level feasibility of putting a site there, but it would require further study.
There would definitely be challenges to locating a facility at that location.
• Question: Is there a conservation easement on that site?
o Response: There are some easements; it would have to be further explored.
• Question: What was the report that I read on October 25?
o Response: The report was a staff report to council to summarize the information
presented; it is not the final study.
• Question: How will freight allow passenger trains?
o Response: The SJJPA would have to negotiate the number of passenger trains
allowed on the rail corridor with Union Pacific.
• Comment: There are a lot of grant opportunities, that doesn’t mean we need to go after
this Project. I appreciate the addition of sites 3 and 4, because near sites 1 and 2 are
schools, community parks, and houses. I’m worried about the impact of hourly trains on
this community. The residents near these sites should not pay for those sites. The City
should consider the large impact that a station would have on the neighborhood. I think
site 4 has slightly less impacts.
• Question: Are you accepting written public comments? Who should we send them to and
is there a deadline?
o Response: Yes, we are accepting written public comments. You can send them to
the address on the board or submit them in the comment box. Watch our website
for a deadline; we do not have a definitive deadline for comments at the moment.
• Question: Did you contact Monterey Village HOA, or all HOA?
o Response: We contacted as many HOA as we could find contact information for.
The meeting announcement was posted to the citywide newsletter, websites, and
any social media, and 9,700 postcards were sent out to announce the meeting.
• Comment: People don’t know what multi-modal means. Tell people what it is. Tell
neighborhood watch captains and put flyers in local coffee shops.
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 10 of 17
• Comment: Regarding Site 2, there is an endangered burrowing owl species that was
relocated to Site 2 as a result of development in another location and I wanted to make
you aware of it.
o Response: For any site, we would do further environmental studies which would
consider wildlife impacts.
• Question: Would you analyze noise impacts to residents?
o Response: Noise impacts would need to be analyzed in the future; it is not within
the scope of this study.
• Question: If the facility is built, but less people use it than is expected, what kind of
obligation does the City have to make up the difference?
o Response: No, the City would not have to guarantee that a certain number of
riders would use the rail service. In that case the rail service agency could decide
to not provide rail service, which we would not have control over.
• Question: Why does this need to be in the City of Elk Grove? Why can’t it be just outside
the City limits, such as near Kammerer Road and SR-99?
o Response: We have considered sites outside of City limits, including a site owned
by Sacramento Regional Sewer. The primary challenge of sites outside of the City
limits is that we do not have jurisdiction over it. There are some pieces of land in
unincorporated parts of the county that have restrictions under Williamson Act
protection. This doesn’t mean the sites chosen don’t have constraints, but that is
why we couldn’t pick any sites other than the ones shown in this study.
• Comment: This study should consider impacts to property values and also consider the
opportunities of the sites. Site 1 and 2 have no potential for economic activity. Sites 3 and
4 have more opportunities for economic development while sites 1 and 2 have additional
risks.
• Question: What real estate impacts would be looked at if a site were selected for future
study?
o Response: There would need to be further analysis done to assess impacts to
property values. There is possibility it will go up or down; it is uncertain.
• Question: Can residents vote on this? Is it worth building this facility if it would destroy
neighborhoods?
o Response: This is just a study and does not guarantee that anything will happen.
We encourage you to continue providing feedback by attending meetings and
sending e-mails.
• Comment: Because of the new housing and traffic coming in to Elk Grove, I need to take
my kids to a different school. I refuse to drop them off at the previous school because of
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 11 of 17
the traffic. No matter which way I go, I am going to be stuck in traffic so I’m going to have
to move.
• Comment: It feels like you’re doing things behind closed doors. Studies lead to things.
• Question: Will the responses to the comment form be online and published?
o Response: All comments are documented, and will be noted tonight. We will
develop a FAQ document to answer questions that people have been asking.
• Comment: You guys have impacted everything for people commuting to Sacramento - we
go to work late now, buses are congested. You tried to get people who are going
downtown to use the light rail and now we have to pay more to commute. You have
impacted a lot of people and this facility will cause additional hardship.
• Comment: Thank you to council for having this meeting. Yes, this is a high-level study, but
a feasibility study is considering the feasibility of a location. You can say this is a high-level
study but you need to consider traffic, crime, property values. You should consider pros
and cons of each site, and I don’t see how Sites 1 or 2 are even feasible
• Comment: I understand that council wants to bring more opportunities to this town, but I
do not want to consider bringing bay area people to Elk Grove. If council pursues this, the
City will have to compete with other cities as a commuter town for bay area commuters.
It should be for people going to Sacramento. What is the current capacity of the train
headed toward Fresno?
o Response: The current passenger rail service that runs through Elk Grove is
constrained by freight traffic. As rail service providers consider adding service to
Elk Grove and say to us “we want to build a station in Elk Grove, where could we
put it?” – we want to be able to answer that question with a list of sites and their
opportunities and constraints.
• Comment: A study like this should have done research already on how many people
might ride this.
o Response: Ridership projections are being developed as a part of this study.
• Comment: I’m not going to use any public transportation. I have had bad experiences
before.
• Comment: You need to consider the last mile transportation when considering adding
public transportation. The first step shouldn’t be this study, it should be whether or not
we need this.
• Question: Why would you consider putting this station in a residential area? Would you
want to live where the train station is?
o Response: This is just a study to provide information, and preliminary checks, sites
that are developed or undeveloped. The findings will be presented to elected
officials who will make the decision.
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 12 of 17
• Question: What are the next steps of the study? Will we get a chance to look at the draft
report before it is presented to council? Will you provide a notification to people who
provided their e-mail addresses as to when the report will be presented to council?
o Response: Every document for final review gets published and can be reviewed.
Council will consider comments on the document; you can submit comments in
written format in-person. We post all comments on website. We can send an
email blast with direct links to staff report. We can send out an e-mail blast to
everyone who signed in to the meeting today and provided their e-mail, or
anybody who e-mails us asking to be added to the list.
• Question: Are you an outside company? It seems backwards that the City is paying for an
outside company when we as citizens didn’t ask for it.
o Response: The study is worked on by City staff and private consultants. The study
is funded by a federal grant.
• Comment: This shouldn’t be the last thing on the agenda when it comes before the
council; the meetings run late and in the previous meeting I had to leave to go to bed.
We cannot trust the City council who does not know about the project to vote on it.
o Response: If and when this goes to council we will notify you.
• Comment: I live near Site W1. It will cause noise, crime, and a lot of other things. There is
already a church proposed at that location. We need to tell council that we do not want
this multi-modal facility. It should be located farther away in farmland.
• Comment: I just think this feasibility study should not have existed in the first place. I
think the best thing for everybody to do if they are concerned is to submit written
comments to councilmembers and the people working on the study to express their
concerns.
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 13 of 17
Feedback
Below is a summary of all the input received from community members via comment cards and
emails.
Comment Cards
• After listening to the presentation, it is clear that residents should vote on this Project. It
is a huge cost, a huge facility and a huge impact on residents. Let the community have a
say in it. Let them vote, if they want a multi-modal facility, especially not in Site 1 or 2.
Doesn't sound like this Project will relieve commuter traffic, so there is no point to it.
• I'm not in favor of the Project because of potential negative externalities that may be
associated with quality of life issues. I'm also concerned about greater city debt and/or
possible local tax increases.
• It makes so much more sense to locate any potential multi-modal facility in an area that
already has commercial development. It makes no sense at all to locate it in the far
southwest corner of Elk Grove near the parks and within a residential area. If this goes
forward, it should be at Site #3 or Site #4.
• Beyond the grant funding, how much more money will be needed? Where will the
money come from?
• Suggestion: the train station at San Luis Obispo, CA is a very pleasing design and might be
one to look at. Have someone there take a series of photos and e-mail them to your
offices here. People are afraid of change. Growth will happen and no one can stop
growth. Train service would be a good thing. As commuters (people) move into this City
they will look to the ability of public transportation.
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 14 of 17
Emailed Comments
• Thank you for being there at the community open house to hear our comments and I
hope you understand our desired not to have a Multi-Modal facility on either Site 1 or 2.
It would have been nice to have Mr. Patrick Hume there to answer our concerns. Since
he is a board Member of San Joaquin Joint Power Authority. If you have time in your
schedule please contact me.
• Thank you for setting up this 3rd Community Open House session. First off, as a member
of the community, a homeowner of a single-family home, a person who lives not even a
quarter-mile away from Site W-1, has 2 little girls (one of which goes to Franklin
Elementary), and takes his family frequently to Buscher Park, I have evaluated the Elk
Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study and DO NOT SUPPORT PROJECT LOCATION
SITE W-1. I fully understand that this Project is still in its infancy and all work done was
simply to find a feasible location for the project. With that being said, I do not believe
Site W1 should be the location of choice. While it makes sense from a fiscal standpoint,
there are just too many socioeconomic factors that cannot be overlooked. Being such a
controversial project, to no one’s surprise, last Thursday’s open house was emotionally
charged and could be viewed as hostile at some points. Nevertheless, many of the
concerns that were being brought up by community members, were legitimate and
shared by me and my family. Below are my family’s concerns. I would appreciate
genuine responses to each. Thank you. CONCERNS:
1. Crime: I think it was a bit misleading to try and persuade the group with select
studies of how crime could get better due to this facility being built at this location. I
don’t think anyone really bought it (I’m sure you would agree). I don’t know of any
homeowners in the City of Elk Grove who would want this type of facility built in their
backyard. It is simply too close to neighborhoods, families, and an elementary school.
I’m sure I could do a Google Search (probably similar to what was done) and provide links
over links on studies that showed an increase in crime after a facility of this nature was
put in operation. If the City and its consultants are going to provide data, the data should
illustrate both sides of the argument so residents can formulate better educated
opinions. I get it, this is a feasibility study and the question of “Can it be done?” is being
asked. But it seems in this situation with so many families being potentially impacted, I
think the question that should be asked is, “Should this be done?” In this case, I would
say no.
2. Property Value: My family and I have lived in the Bilby Ranch/Elk Grove Meadows
neighborhood for about 8 years now. From the downturn in 2008/2009, property values
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 15 of 17
have steadily risen back to market values any homeowner would be proud of. With the
crime increase due to this facility , even if it is just a perceived crime increase, I would
fully expect home values to decrease. My wife and I will not live next to this type of
facility with our small children. We have discussed this Project and have decided that if
this facility becomes a reality, we will be moving out of the area.
3. Buscher Park: This park is great. It is a 5 minute walk from our house on Stockmen
Way and our kids love going multiple times a week (weather permitting). There is little
crime/graffiti/”punk kids” at this park. The park seemed to be designed for smaller
children and we absolutely love it. Sorry to say, but it seems that most of the misfit
kids/teens end up at the bigger Kunsting Park off of Whitelock. Site W-1 is literally right
across the street from this family park. I for one do not want homeless/transients/or
people of that nature with such easy access to our local park. There is also a bridge
structure on Willard Parkway just between the park and Canadeo Circle that would be a
great spot for homeless to reside (shall they find this place).
4. Franklin Elementary: Site W-1 is a half-mile walk from my 5 year old’s Elementary
School (Franklin Elementary). With all that is happening in the world these days, the last
thing that I want to do is introduce random individuals more access to an elementary
school. There is no way to regulate what type of person rides these trains. Understood,
that if bad people wanted to do bad things, they could drive up and do so. But why
introduce more probability of “stranger danger” to our children? One a side note, there
are many kids who walk the dangerous trek along Bilby Road to their homes across the
tracks. I would rather see City money spent on a feasibility study for a safer route to for
these children, and all pedestrians for that matter, to cross the tracks. Currently, Bilby
Road (between Willard Parkway and Franklin Boulevard) has a 20’ traveled way with
gravel “shoulders.” I frequently see children walking these gravel “shoulders” and am
concerned that one day I will turn on the news and see a story about a child killed on this
way home from school.
5. Noise/Light: I understand that this study is still preliminary, but to me there will be
a significant increase in noise and light pollution to residents if this facility was built at
Site W-1. As stated by a community member in last week’s meeting, we can already hear
the train as it goes past our neighborhood. This station would introduce the following
additional noises: braking of trains (hourly perhaps), traffic due to the parking lot, people
who use and operate the facility, and traffic due to an assumed new signalized
intersection. Additionally, there are residents in this area who appreciate the night sky.
We are on the outskirts of the City of Elk Grove and do not see as much ambient light as
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 16 of 17
others deeper in the City. We can frequently look up at the night sky and see stars.
While this isn’t the biggest deal, adding this facility would be similar to a neighbor leaving
on their backyard flood lights all night long (which has happened recently).
6. Type of Traffic: While is has been communicated that this track is only for “heavy
rail,” is there a way to guarantee that this indeed stays the case? Are there some types
of mandates that the City could propose to ensure that happens? Just curious on how
the use of this facility can be limited/controlled.
7. Pollution: Obviously this type of facility would increase the amount of pollution in
the area. When this is evaluated, is there a threshold the City has to determine if the
amount of increase in carbon footprint that is deemed unacceptable? Basically, what
increase in carbon footprint or some other pollution factor will end this project from
further study? Thank you for your time. My family and I are looking forward to your
responses and seeing the requested "Response to Comments" from everyone's inquiries
at the public meeting last Thursday. Thank you.
• I am a concerned citizen of Elk Grove living in the Meadows area. I attended the last open
house on Nov 16th and I was reading the council staff report from October 15th where it
says the Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility will be proposed for approval. But the website
says “to be determined.” Will this issue be approached on December 13th after all?
Thank you for your attention.
• We do not want a heavy rail station in our nice town of Elk Grove!!! Elk Grove city is
about family and sports and parks and quality of lifestyle. You have made many great
decisions on planning in those areas. Aquatic center, civic center, soccer complex even
the casino will be a "getaway place" and provide entertainment. Heavy rail in a
residential area with buses and Ubers, all that traffic and congestion, and noise, is not a
good fit for us. To take a neighborhood or wildlife preserve and turn it into that - no way-
very bad, ugly , greedy - UNSAFE!! The way this "feasibility study" has been handled so
far is smelling like a rat!! You have been very sneaky in the way it’s being presented.
First of all, many many people did not even know about it and then you show pictures of
a nice train stop in Tracy, NOT what the reality of multi-modal would look like. With
traffic jams and busses and homeless people hanging around. That's dirty politics. Dirty.
Give people a real picture and let us decide. You are trying to do this behind our back!!
Why are you not working on a way to provide a solution to something the residents of Elk
Grove really want and need? And that is to lessen the congestion on Highway 99. It's
getting worse and worse. I see this Project not really helping this at all. It's not a solution
for daily commuters. A heavy rail station in Elk Grove is not feasible!! Can you look
Elk Grove Multi-Modal Facility Feasibility Study Community Open House #3
November 16, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Franklin High School Cafeteria
6400 Whitelock Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757
Page 17 of 17
further south – Kammerer Road – where it will not destroy quality of life for so many
people?? Reasons why my family will never ride the heavy rail: it's expensive - more
costly than airline travel; it takes forever to get somewhere; no means of transportation
when you get there; scary people hang around train stations, getting on and off, scary
people everywhere; a heavy rail station does not belong in the "family" City of Elk Grove.
Appendix
• Direct Mail Notification
• Flyer
• Presentation
• Display Boards
• Informational Brochure
• Comment Card