Letter: Thoughts on IKEA, traffic in Burbank

I am writing to concur with Sharon Springer’s letter to the editor. The city’s lack of preparedness and apparent disregard for the inevitable traffic congestion that will accompany the opening of the new IKEA and Walmart stores is truly distressing to many citizens.

As one who raised questions to the Planning Board regarding traffic congestion and pedestrian safety during the minimal public comment period that was provided for the IKEA project, the lack of concern by the city is not really surprising. The board’s response to my questions was essentially that my fears were unfounded and that the existing streets could handle the anticipated traffic increase with some modifications and that new traffic lights and crosswalks would be adequate to insure pedestrian safety. The board did not mention that the firm that prepared the environmental study was hired by IKEA.

As I recall, the city’s determination to keep IKEA in Burbank resulted in a deal that could not be refused. To my knowledge, the actual terms of the agreement and the extent of the city’s concessions to IKEA have never been revealed to the public.

Since it is now a done deal and work at the site is progressing, the actual size of the behemoth project and its obvious implications could easily devastate the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhood.

For the well-being of its citizens, the city needs to display some leadership and credibility by working with IKEA and the community to develop and implement a plan for more direct access to and from the I-5 freeway that doesn’t result in gridlock on Alameda, San Fernando, Flower and Verdugo. This should be a top priority that can’t be ignored.

Thomas Saito

Burbank