Dear Council members,
What has happened to the intersection of Arbor Road and Valparaiso?
About a month ago, the developers of the new house across from the Mormon church put their new landscaping four feet out into what had previously been part of Arbor Road. This meant that the 'O' and 'P' of the 'S T O P' painted on the pavement were covered over by their ground cover and hardscape of small rocks. I thought the city would make them move this out of the roadway, but it looks like the solution was to repaint the 'S T O P' so the letters were all squeezed together. The road is still the same width.
Arbor Road was already narrow at this intersection. This four foot decrease in the width of Arbor Road creates a very dangerous situation. Two normal sized cars cannot barely squeeze by each other. A normal car and a truck will collide unless one backs up. Arbor Road handles lots vehicle, bike, and foot traffic including traffic for three schools (St. Raymonds, Sacred Heart, and Menlo). Valparaiso on a weekday is busier than Santa Cruz Avenue. A westbound Valparaiso driver attempting a left turn onto Arbor Road must wait a long time to get a short break in the vehicles when the turn can be made. If this turning opportunity comes at the same time someone is approaching Valparaiso on Arbor Road, the two vehicles will collide. Who knows what will happen to children who try to bike or walk to school along Arbor Road?
Please let me know what the City Council and the city plan to do to correct this dangerous situation. The recent solution of repainting the 'S T O P' letters so they are squished in a smaller space is a sick joke.
Thank you for acting on this,
Anita Ochieano
1795 Stanford Avenue
baochieano@gmail.com
