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HomeMy WebLinkAbout052025-06.6 RONEN, SHAYNA EMAIL 051925 194 Diablo Road Danville, CA 94526 May 19, 2025 Danville Town Council 510 La Gonda Way Danville, CA 94526 Public Comment re: May 20, 2025 Town Council Meeting - Agenda Item 6.6 Dear Mayor Morgan and Members of the Danville Town Council, I'm writing on behalf of I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center to share a few thoughts ahead of the May 20th Town Council meeting regarding potential parking changes at 194 Diablo Road (Agenda Item 6.6). As a local nonprofit rooted in the heart of Danville, we're proud to be part of this vibrant downtown community. Every weekday afternoon and evening, more than 200 children and their families walk through our doors - eager to learn, perform, and express themselves through the arts. As our small business continues to grow, we feel fortunate to serve our families and to contribute to the creative spirit that makes Danville such a special place. We’re grateful for the opportunity to have met recently with Transportation Manager Allan Shields, and we truly appreciate the Town’s efforts to improve roadway safety for everyone—drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. That said, we do want to share some ideas that may help balance those safety goals with the needs of our students and families. The two parking spaces directly in front of I Can Do That! at 194 Diablo Road are used throughout peak hours for student drop-offs and pick-ups. While we understand that traffic flow and congestion are growing concerns, we also worry that eliminating these spaces - by installing a red curb - may unintentionally create confusion and challenges for families trying to safely get their children in and out of our programs. If the Council does move forward with approving a red curb at 194 Diablo Road, we respectfully ask that the change go into effect in September, after our busy summer camp season. That would give us the time we need to communicate with families and adjust our procedures accordingly. 1 Alternatively, we’d welcome the chance to revisit the item with Town Staff to consider additional ideas—like the possibility of creating a designated loading zone in front of the Performing Arts Center while adjusting the left turn pocket into the BevMo lot at 155 Diablo Road, which could potentially open up enough space to preserve parking while improving traffic flow and safety. Looking ahead, we’d love to work with the Town to explore longer-term solutions together. One idea might be looking at how Front Street could better serve as a drop-off zone for our alternate entrance. Another option could be adding a four-way stop at Rose and Linda Mesa, near the Rose Street Parking Lot—a crossing point frequently used by students and families on their way to the Performing Arts Center. This could significantly improve safety at an intersection that is often misinterpreted or questioned by pedestrians and drivers alike. We plan to be a cornerstone of downtown Danville for decades to come and truly appreciate your collaboration in thinking creatively about how to best support downtown activity and ensure safety for all community members Finally, I’d like to extend a warm invitation for you to visit I Can Do That! anytime. We’d love to give you a tour, introduce you to some of our talented young performers, and share more about the exciting work we’re doing with Danville’s students. Thank you so much for your time, your care for the community, and your consideration of our thoughts. Warmly, Shayna Ronen Executive Director I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center shayna@icandothatpac.org 2