neighbors@phillipbrooks.org
Phillip Brooks School
Las Lomitas Administration
City of Menlo Park
I noted that many of large eucalyptus trees along the frontage of Avy
Avenue have been cut down recently. I commend this improvement as it
brings a more open ambiance and eliminates minor nuisance non-native trees
that are reputed to be hazardous.
As the school’s yard along Avy is re-landscaped, may I suggest that the
schools consider widening Avy by about five to ten feet from the school
driveway to the stop sign at Altschul? When Phillip Brooks has a school
event, there is often a contention for street parking between the school
and the nearby homes on Avy, Deanna, and Bellair. In addition, when cars
are parked along Avy on these occasions, the street is narrow and more
hazardous. The limited travel width of Avy is also a hazard during the
daily drop off and pickup by parents. The cars are stacked along the road
waiting for the opportunity to turn into the driveway of the school pickup
zone. This narrowing of Avy causes cars to back up on Avy and the
congestion is also a hazard for bicycles and pedestrians.
The yard on along this stretch is quite deep and the contribution of land
to a new sidewalk and a wider street would hardly be noticed. This
parking would be primarily available for Phillip Brooks events. The nearby
homes opposite would not have any occasion to use them. As a parent, I
travel along Avy as my primary exit of the Sharon Heights neighborhood, so
I do have some interest in this improvement. I think this re-design along
Avy will go a long way towards gaining not just additional parking for the
school, improve travel and safety and gain neighborhood support for school
expansion.
Sincerely,
Shirley Chiu
Crest Lane, Sharon Heights
