YORBA LINDA : Alternatives Aired at Traffic Meeting

A meeting of residents in the Brooklyn Avenue neighborhood to discuss traffic problems in the area was “surprisingly civil,” a city official said.

Unlike previous public hearings, at which residents accused each other of ignoring traffic problems throughout the neighborhood, several of the 89 people at this week’s meeting said the tone was more positive.

“I was happy they were there with open minds,” said Chestnut Avenue resident Ben Carter. “Everyone (set aside) their own agendas to have real discussion on the issues.”

The residents met to consider several alternatives proposed in a traffic study to reduce speeding on Brooklyn Avenue. Although no solution was reached, the meeting did result in at least one alternative being eliminated from consideration.

The neighborhood has been divided since the city announced plans to close Brooklyn Avenue at 4th Street. Residents on Brooklyn say the streets should be closed to prevent drivers from using it to avoid Imperial Highway.

But neighbors on other streets in the area say closing Brooklyn, which stretches from Valley View to Prospect Avenue, will increase traffic on their streets.

During a three-week trial closure of the street, tensions increased and residents on both sides of the issue reported being harassed by neighbors.

The meeting Monday was an attempt to forge a compromise and to discuss four alternatives outlined in a 27-page traffic study.

According to traffic engineer Joanne Kulachok, one option, which involved narrowing streets at intersections, was eliminated.

“There was no support” for that idea, Kulachok said.

A second meeting will be held in January, but no date has been set.