Received. I dont have any indication that this is a priority for the City,
and no new information to provide. I appreciate any and all efforts on
PBSs behalf to mitigate traffic and parking, and am grateful for their
partnership in this effort.
Best,
Superintendent Burmeister
On Wed, Feb 4, 2026 at 8:51 AM Monica Salas wrote:
> Hello everyone,
> Im adding Erik, LLESD Superintendent, to this email for visibility.
> Thank you,
> Monica
>
> On Wed, Feb 4, 2026 at 8:40 AM Shirley Chiu
> wrote:
>
>> Hello, Jennifer.
>>
>> Thanks for your response. It is my understanding that projects such as
>> the expansion of Phillips Brooks typically would require a traffic study.
>> It is a fairly routine matter for the city. In addition, it was also my
>> understanding that city streets are sixty feet wide and that most lots
>> include a strip or portion of city owned property or right of way. The
>> extension of the safe sidewalks along Santa Cruz Ave was possible on this
>> basis and did not require any easements by private property owners.
>>
>> I will forward this conversation to the city manager. He can address
>> this matter expeditiously.
>> Sincerely yours,
>> Shirley Chiu
>>
>> On Wed, Feb 4, 2026, 7:33 AM Jennifer Bohnen
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Shirley,
>>>
>>> Thank you for your email and suggestions. From my understanding, to
>>> widen the road would entail a traffic study that the city would need to
>>> trigger. In the past, we have made suggestions to the city but they are
>>> responsible for the road. Since the school district owns the land, they
>>> would need to agree to an easement and work with the city. Since we are the
>>> leasee, we dont have control over widening the road and can only share
>>> our observations.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Jenn
>>>
>>> On Tue, Feb 3, 2026 at 7:22 PM Shirley Chiu
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> neighbors@phillipsbrooks.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
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Jenn Bohnen (She/Her ℹ️ )*
>>> *Head of School*
>>>
>>> *Phillips Brooks School -** Strong Students, Caring Citizens*
>>> 2245 Avy Avenue • Menlo Park, CA 94025
>>>
>>> 650-854-4545 • jbohnen@phillipsbrooks.org
>>>
>>> Web • Facebook
>>> • Instagram
>>>
>>>
>>
>
> --
>
> *Monica Salas*
> Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/Board
> Las Lomitas Elementary School District
> 1011 Altschul Avenue
> Menlo Park, CA 94025
> 650.854.2880 ext. 4012
>
>
--
*Erik Burmeister*
Superintendent
*Dream it, own it, rock it. Weve got this!*
