Council Members,
I realize the pilot was approved this evening, but I noticed when I got home that my email message was not rec’d due to an addressing error.
Resending so it is part of the record on this issue.
One question I have that I did not see in the study: is there a specific timeframe for the pilot to run and what are the metrics associated with success or non success? Will you be measuring traffic impacts on other surface streets as a result of this pilot? Will the public have an opportunity to comment after the pilot is completed?
Thank you
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sara Spivey >
Date: Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Subject: Coleman Avenue Safety Measures
To: >
Dear Council Members,
After reviewing the proposal to improve safety on Coleman Avenue, I must voice my concerns about the road closure between Rioridan and Berkeley Avenue. Given you are planning to continue two way traffic from that road closure to Willow Road along Coleman, it would appear that traffic will be forced either down Santa Monica or through Vintage Oaks onto Seminary Drive to access Willow and Middlefield Roads. I dont know how many of you have actually been on Riordan, Hanna or Seminary Drives, but they are very narrow, quite windy, and were NEVER DESIGNED for through traffic. It has already become a traffic hazard with Menlo Atherton students (and their parents!) driving way too fast cutting through the neighborhood to avoid Middlefield and Willow Road. This closure, combined with only one way access on Coleman from Ringwood to the closure area, will create a significant amount of through traffic through this residential neighborhood.
I agree that safety mitigation on Coleman is important, but this plan will only create a more serious safety issue through Vintage Oaks where the streets are more narrow, and there are more kids, dogs, bikers and walkers than you might think, not to mention hundreds of young families who use the Seminary Oaks park on a daily basis. I would strongly urge you to reconsider the current proposal to serve ALL Menlo Parks residents, not just those currently using Coleman as a cut through (many of whom are non residents).
Instead, why not make right and left turns inaccessible for automobiles onto Coleman Avenue from both Willow AND Ringwood during morning and afternoon school hours (when the safety is an issue) as the city did with Gilbert and Nash?
The city spent millions of dollars to narrow Middlefield and make it safe for bikers and walkers with designated bike lanes and walking paths, which seem to be very underutilized. Lets not waste more city money on an over engineered solution that will create just other neighborhood
safety issues.
Regards,
Sara Spivey
105 Seminary Drive
Vintage Oaks
