Hello City Council
We live in Linfield Oaks and Ive called our house, my home, since 1955 when my parents moved here. Therefore, Ive seen a lot of changes over the years. I am in favor of the large housing/mixed use projects the City is favorably considering in the Linfield Oaks area and also support the proposal for a transportation study which would combine the impacts of several projects. I think that such a study should be focused and perhaps citywide for select corridors. The following are my interests:
* Middlefield : There will be more auto and perhaps bus travel along this street as a result of the contemplated projects. The Council should look at traffic calming options and understand what will be needed for safe left turns in and out of the development sites. Bus turn-out locations should also be evaluated so that there are no interruptions of through traffic flow. There will be more pedestrians and bikes on both side of Middlefield than now occur. Pedestrian and bikes will want to cross the street in more locations than just the intersections or the crosswalk at Linfield. The current pedestrian walk ways are in poor condition and should be improved. The goal should be for safe pedestrian and bike travel.
* Intersection of Middlefield/Willow: This intersection is beyond capacity at peak times which include about 3/4 hours in the morning and evening. In the peak evening hours it can take us about 45 minutes or more to get to HWY 101. We feel trapped at times.
* Willow: Traffic from the projects will make travel along Willow all the way to the entrance to the Dumbarton bridge even more difficult. I am interested in how this corridor can improve and provide safe travel for pedestrians and bikes.
* Laurel: There will be significant increase in pedestrian traffic wanting to cross Laurel in lots of points. Such crossings need to be safe and the auto traffic along Laurel, slow.
* Intersections of Middlefield/Ravenswood/Ringwood. Again there will be more of all types of trips including more people walking and biking through these intersections. The movements of all types of trips need to be considered and improvements made.
* Ravenswood and travel ways all the way to HWY 280: There will be lots more travel by pedestrians and bikes along this corridor. The pedestrian and bike ways are better than they were a few years ago but will not be adequate for the increased travel.
* Impacts on Linfield Oaks: Auto travelers will look for ways to avoid the roadway and intersections listed above. This area will need protection from any added trips and cut trough traffic.
We anticipate the individual projects could provide their pro-rata share of costs for any upgrades or improvements needed to keep Menlo Park safe and balanced.
Ann Draper
Thomas Prebil
