On Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 01:46:23 PM PDT, Dnahom wrote:
Hello members of the City Council and Complete Street Commission, et al,To Sally, I reviewed the minutes for March, April, and May for both MPCC and MPCSC.It mentions Willow Road, but not for the Willow Road segment I have been referring to.
For the City Council meeting on April 29, 2025, regarding the Coleman project, many sentiments align with those of residents on Willow Road (from Middlefield to Gilbert) and surrounding neighborhoods. We have not felt safe all these decades. My 4 children, some in their 30s now, have experienced terror as children from the backseat of our van when cars have tailgated behind us, passing us from both the bike lane and oncoming traffic. This happening in Menlo Park is insane.With newly moved families with young children, its too late for my children, but this request is for all of us.We need to stop this road rage mentality.
We repeatedly ask for action, as far back as when city council members were Kirsten Keith, Peter Ohtaki, Ray Mueller, Cecilia Taylor, Drew Combs, Jen Wolosin. Its frustrating to be at the bottom of the list and waiting much, much longer than other neighborhoods to matter.
Cars are typically going 35 mph at a minimum. Crosswalks will alert drivers to be more responsible. You can rewatch Cassandra Lopez or Josh testimony on the April 29 video. Same, same.
If it pleases the City Council, we can print up or forward our emails since 2015 regarding traffic and can submit several videos throughout the years of cars racing to the Middlefield or 101 finish line. Unfortunately, I dont have a history of emails before 2011.
Finally, I sincerely would like to thank the City Council, Complete Streets Commission, and the city staff for all their time and effort; every improvement throughout the city has been significant and life-changing. Please put us as a priority; it would be appreciated to know the city agrees, we matter too.Wed appreciate it if we were given notice if we were put on an agenda for a future meeting.
Thank you,Alice and Daniel Hom247 Willow Road
On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 10:23:08 PM PDT, Alice HOM wrote:
Hello,That would be great Sally, appreciate it. Meanwhile, I too, can research it if it’s in your meeting minutes. Thank you for your swift response,Alice
On Sep 29, 2025, at 9:44 PM, Sally Cole wrote:
Hello Alice, City Staff presented our Commission a proposed plan for safety improvements on Willow Road in April of this year.
I will see if I can get hold of that presentation and determine whether it addresses the issues you raise in your email. I will get back to you this week.
Sally Cole
On Mon, Sep 29, 2025 at 5:57 PM Dnahom wrote:
Dear Meredith, Jacqui, Sally, Scott, Athena, Matthew, Kevin,As you can see below, the distribution email is ineffective.Thank you for your time,Alice Hom
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Dnahom To: City of Menlo Park ; transportation@menlopark.gov ; city.council@menlopark.gov Cc: Daniel Hom Sent: Monday, September 29, 2025 at 05:40:38 PM PDTSubject: Urgent Request for Crosswalks and Traffic Calming Measures on Willow Road
Dear City Council Members, City Transportation Staff, and Complete Street Commission members,
I am writing to formally and urgently request the installation of crosswalks at both Nash and Blackburn intersections on Willow Road.
On August 11, 2020—over five years ago—I was encouraged by a communication from Kevin Chen, which explored the potential for a crosswalk on Willow Road. However, at that time, only one location was being considered: either Nash or Blackburn. I respectfully submit that both intersections are critical to pedestrian safety and warrant crosswalk installation, both of which have bus stops for students using SamTrans. Each serves distinct pedestrian needs and would significantly enhance safety for residents, students, and commuters alike.
Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Concerns
The presence of marked crosswalks not only prioritizes pedestrian access but also calms traffic, encouraging drivers to remain alert and reduce speed—an effect already observed at nearby intersections such as Coleman/Santa Monica and Linfield/Middlefield.
Unfortunately, Willow Road—particularly the stretch between Gilbert and Middlefield—has become a mini-freeway outside of commute hours. Between Bay Road and Gilbert, there are four stoplights. However, west of Gilbert, drivers often accelerate to 35–50 mph, creating a hazardous situation. The lack of enforcement or deterrents in this area enables reckless driving, and electronic traffic signs have proven ineffective.Not to forget, police officers will not pull anyone driving at 35 MPH or less. As a result, the city allowed speeding. As proven over and over again, these fender bender occurrences are much more damaging than if one were actually going at the speed limit. A perfect example is last Thursday, Sept.25, when an accident caused another accident.
We regularly witness dangerous scenarios:
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Students running across the street to catch a SamTrans bus, with no safe crossing point.
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Parents dropping off children at Whole Kids Preschool, only to make aggressive, last-minute maneuvers due to traffic and a lack of driver courtesy.
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Residents navigating speeding traffic with no safe pedestrian refuge.
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Residents cannot safely leave their driveways due to speeding traffic without making aggressive maneuvers.
These are predictable and preventable situations. Waiting for a tragedy before taking action is irresponsible.
Inconsistent Street Classification and Treatment
We would also appreciate clarification on the arterial road classification for Willow Road. It is unclear why the segment from Middlefield to Gilbert is designated as mixed-use arterial, while the more mixed-use section from Alma to Middlefield is not—despite having more businesses. What is missing in the description for the mixed-use category is "Prioritizes walking and bicycling" and "ensuring a high quality of life for residents".
Consider the data:
Alma to Middlefield (.6 miles):
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7 pedestrian crosswalks, 2 with speed bumps, 1 stand-alone speed bump
Businesses, including:
- Robin Hood
- Portola Creek Capital
- Willow Park Campus
- Riverwood Capital
- Farmer’s Insurance (Duckhwan Kim)
- TA Associates
- Stanford Health Care – Planning & Design
Middlefield to Gilbert (.4 miles):
- 0 crosswalks
- 0 speed bumps
- 0 stop signs
Businesses include:
- Grace Dental
- Menlo Pediatric Dental
- Whole Kids Preschool
- Before Brand
- Additional vacant offices
There is no logical basis for this discrepancy in safety measures. The shorter segment with heavier traffic and sensitive land uses (including childcare and healthcare) has been entirely neglected in terms of basic pedestrian safety infrastructure.
A Call to Action
I ask: Why is the city delaying such a simple and life-saving improvement as painting two crosswalks?
Isnt pedestrian safety a core tenet of our Vision Zero and Safe Streets commitments?
This neighborhood deserves the same level of protection and care that has been afforded to other parts of the city. The residents who live and work along Willow Road—from Middlefield to Gilbert—are not currently protected, and it is the citys responsibility to ensure our streets are safe and accessible for all.
Please treat this as an urgent matter. We are not asking for complex infrastructure—just two clearly marked crosswalks and basic traffic calming interventions to reduce speeding and prevent foreseeable accidents.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I welcome your response and am happy to discuss this further.
Sincerely,
Alice Hom
247 Willow Road
