Friends of Mill Valley

Dear Planning Commission Members,

I've lived on Ryan Ave. for forty seven years, and continue to be concerned about an over abundance of traffic flow through the heart of our city. The proposed project on the very busy intersection of La Goma and Miller, which very probably will divert traffic to Sycamore and possibly Nelson, and very likely to the intersection of E. Blithedale and Camino Alto will add additional traffic not only to La Gome, not only to Sycamore and Nelson, but also to an already over-crowded E. Blithedale. I urge you to consider the following issues:

• Pedestrian, bicyclist, and traffic safety... a new driveway onto Miller less than 100 feet from the La Goma intersection
• Toxic waste on the site... lead measured at seven times the level considered hazardous by the state of California
• Increased traffic... that will drive more trips through Sycamore/Tamalpais Park neighborhoods
• Inadequate parking... the developer is asking for an exception to provide half the parking spaces required by Mill Valley's municipal code
• Impact on Mill Valley's already overburdened schools... project estimated to add nine students; MV School Superintendent states in report that "some students from the over enrolled Park School could be transferred to the Strawberry Point School"
• Further loss of local-serving small businesses... with inadequate parking, will people stop and shop?
• Environmental threats to the creek... the project could require that fish be removed from the creek, and the creek diverted, during construction
• Overbuilding in a flood zone... where in 2005 the property was inundated under two to three feet of fast-running water
• Cumulative impact of the La Goma and other large projects in the pipeline

Thank you for considering the concerns of the residents of Mill Valley. We are envied by friends and even strangers who become emotionally involved with the beauty of our "village".

Sincerely,

Norman Bowen
77 Ryan Ave., Mill Valley