Letters to the Editor

Editor:

What we feared most happened today. Early this morning (Aug. 28), at approximately 7 a.m., a gentleman was killed by a driver while crossing Geary Boulevard at 30th Avenue. According to DPT, the crossing light was malfunctioning, however, there are other problems with this light.

The timing of the crossing light is extremely short. Prior to this gentleman being killed, the light was only green for three seconds before the hand started flashing red. After the death of a (previous) individual, seven whole seconds were added. George Washington High School, Presidio Middle School and ABC's unlimited preschool are located at the intersection where the light is located. It is absolutely ludicrous that the time is so short for anyone, to say nothing about the children, elderly or handicapped, to have to try to cross this six-lane thoroughfare in so short a time!

We have tried, unsuccessfully, to get the timing on this light changed for years. Now someone has lost a loved member of their family. Why?

The staff and clients of ABC's unlimited are happy to work with schools, churches, residents and SF Supervisor Jake McGoldrick to put pressure on DPT to correct this dangerous situation.

We are writing to: DPT, attention Tom Fults, 25 Van Ness Ave., Ste. 345, SF, CA 94102.

If you are concerned, please join us.

Pamela Hargraves
Office administrator, First United Lutheran Church

Editor:

There is a proposal before the SF Planning Commission to demolish the Royal Ground coffeehouse at 2348 Clement St. and build an oversized four-story building in its place. It would have commercial space below four residential units. There would be no parking spaces within the proposed building for the residents of the four units.

I feel this new building should be scaled back to a maximum of three stories and three units. This would reduce the visual impact of the height of the building and, with one fewer residence, there would be one or two less cars looking for a place to park.

There will be a hearing on this proposal on Thursday, Sept. 20, at approximately 2 p.m., in Room 400 at City Hall. The meeting agenda is available at www.ci.sf.ca.us/planning/currcpc.htm.

Charles Hoffman