This message may be redundant for some, but I would like to express my appreciation to the city engineers. Thank you, Ann Latta
Dear City Council and city public works team:
As a resident of the 2100 block of Sharon Road, I am grateful for the care and expertise the city public works team brought to our sidewalk project. After more than two years of community meetings and much deliberation and compromise, my neighbors and I determined that our primary goals for this project are safety, protection of heritage and other trees, elimination of drainage problems, and retention of some parking.
As we deliberated options to meet our goals, we consulted arborists and a civil engineer and researched design options—all with the intent of providing safety and protecting trees and root systems. We researched comparative safety for asphalt vs. concrete walkways. Concrete sidewalks are not safer. We researched the effects of digging for concrete vs. asphalt installation. Digging for concrete is deeper and more invasive. We reviewed data from the Menlo Park Police Department checking for accidents on the street. There have been no accidents. As a research librarian of 30 plus years, I can speak to our thorough, detailed work.
The option recommended by the city engineers (option 1) of a paved/asphalt walkway with well demarcated gutter/extended walkway, enhanced safety for cyclists, and a slower speed limit meets all of our goals. As the engineers noted, Sharon Road is a residential street; it is neither a dangerous road nor a thoroughfare. Moreover, traffic is slated to lessen given the argument by school parents that they drive children to school, because there is no designated walkway. The option supported by the public works department and by my neighbors and myself solves the problems without destroying the arboreal environment of our neighborhood. It works and is appropriate to the site. It is respectful, practical, economical and effective.
We would also like to retain some parking on the street. We shared our concerns with city engineers, and they produced an excellent option—regulated parking-- which meets both our goals and the safety concerns of school parents. As a senior citizen, who would like to “age in place”, this option also allows for some parking for household assistance, care-providers, and social visits.
Option 1 also recognizes and accommodates the historic nature of the neighborhood. The nine heritage trees are part of a grove here long before the Sharon ranch was developed. Although I am not familiar with the trees affected by the Santa Cruz project, I do not believe they form an interconnected root system within a grove. This grove is sited on neighboring streets--Sharon, Prospect and Harkins. It is an integral part of a heritage watershed, many creeks and springs, which have been unsuccessfully diverted, covered, etc. La Entrada School grapples with a bog. My neighbors and I use sump pumps, pipes to the street, and whatever we think might work to divert water. These water issues are the basis of the engineers’ proposal to improve drainage. We are deeply appreciative of their efforts. I respectfully ask that removal of any heritage trees receive the same scrutiny and community input mandated by Menlo Park ordinances.
As a senior citizen, I raise a final issue. My friends and I walk for recreation and health, and our neighborhood is a mix of concrete and asphalt walkways. The level asphalt is far preferable—easy to move aside for dogs and strollers and much less tripping. Any safety issue regarding placement of recycling bins is easily addressed by placement of bins at the foot of driveways and out of walkways. We are good citizens; we can do this.
With deep appreciation for your care and consideration,
Ann Wahlund Latta
