I wanted to share my two cents about crosswalks (and speed limits). I’ve seen that it is just as easy for drivers to ignore flashing lights crosswalks as it is to ignore people stepping out into a crosswalk. I worry that as we train drivers to expect flashing lights as the signal of pedestrians, they will be less likely to notice pedestrians in crosswalks where there aren’t flashing lights. It really marked me when my high school math teacher got a ticket for driving through a crosswalk by PALY when the pedestrians had already almost reached the other curb.
It seems to me that police routinely enforcing traffic laws (speed limits, crosswalks, etc) might be a more effective way to encourage drivers to make safer choices.
Maybe if people actually drove 30 on Middle Ave, the speed limit wouldn’t need to be reduced. And maybe if the speed limit had been enforced, it wouldn’t have had to be reduced on Santa Cruz Ave. I wonder if drivers have actually slowed down. If you have data on that, I would love to see it.
Thank you!!
Kristen Leep
35+ year resident
Kindergarten teacher in Menlo Park
Sent from my iPhone
> On Mar 13, 2022, at 3:32 PM, Nash, Betsy wrote:
>
> Hello neighbors!
>
> Good news! Two busy crosswalks on Middle Avenue will be getting pedestrian-activated flashing lights! Council recently approved lights for the crosswalk by Nealon Park (Middle and Blake) and the crosswalk at Middle Avenue and San Mateo Drive.
>
> A survey for the Middle Avenue Complete Streets project is now available online; please take a look at the project and provide your input by March 24th. (more information; survey)
>
> Is the format of this email hard to read? Please check out the attached PDF with hyperlinks for easy reading.
>
> These upcoming items may be of interest.
>
> Monday 3/14 (7pm) - Planning Commission meeting (agenda), including:
>
> * 628 Cambridge Avenue - Public Hearing for a use permit (District 4)
> * F1. Use Permit and Variance/Scott Landry/628 Cambridge Avenue: Request for a use permit to remodel and construct first-floor additions to an existing nonconforming, one-story residence on a substandard lot with regard to minimum lot width and area in the R-2 (Low Density Apartment) zoning district. The proposed work would exceed 50 percent of the existing replacement value in a 12-month period and requires use permit approval. Additionally, the proposal includes a request for a variance to construct additions within the required right-side setback. (Staff Report #22-015-PC)
> * Bayfront projects presentation (District 1)
> * G1. Receive a presentation from Planning staff on recently approved and currently proposed Bayfront projects.
>
> Wednesday 3/16 (6pm) - Environmental Quality Commission meeting (agenda), including:
>
> * D2. Consider choosing and recommending a building electrification reach code option for 2023 (Attachment)
>
> Other City items:
>
> * You probably received an email or text message from the city announcing a series of public meetings on the topic of reimagining public safety in Menlo Park. The city would like community members to share their views on policing and public safety through these facilitated discussions. A meeting will be held in each district, with the district councilmember invited. Police Chief David Norris strongly supports this process and will attend only the final citywide discussion session. Please do read more about the meetings and register for your district’s meeting and/or the citywide conversation (more information).
> * Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 6 p.m. - District 5
> * Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 6 p.m. - District 4
> * Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 6 p.m. - District 3
> * Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 6 p.m. - District 1
> * Wednesday, May 11, 2022, 6 p.m. - District 2
> * Wednesday, June 1, 2022, 6 p.m. - Citywide conversation
> * Annual recruiting for City of Menlo Park advisory bodies is now underway; deadline April 13th. (more information)
> * Upcoming City Meeting Schedule
> * Monday 3/21 (6:30pm) - Library Commission meeting (agenda tba)
> * Tuesday 3/22 (6pm) - City Council meeting (agenda tba)
> * Wednesday 3/23 (6:30pm) - Parks and Recreation Commission meeting (agenda tba)
> * Thursday 3/24 (6pm) Independent Redistricting Committee meeting (agenda tba)
>
> Other items:
>
> * 3/17: Legislative Updates & Advocacy Opportunities (more information)
> * San Mateo County Health is conducting a Health and Quality of Life Survey as part of a project studying ways to improve the health of people in our community; deadline March 31st. (more information)
> * San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury is currently accepting applications for the 2022-23 term; deadline April 29th. This unique body serves as an independent public watchdog of local government across San Mateo County. (more information; application)
> * The Port of Redwood City presents live music at the waterfront on Saturdays at 3pm; all entertainment is free. (more information)
> * Maps from ABAG (Association of Bay Area Governments) help you discover the Bay Area by foot, bike, or boat. (Bay Trail Map; Water Trail Map)
>
> Take care,
> Betsy
>
> If you wish to be removed from this email list, please reply to me with ‘UNSUBSCRIBE’ in the subject line.
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>
> Betsy Nash
> Mayor
> City Hall - 2nd Floor
> 701 Laurel St.
> tel 650-380-3986
> https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fmenlopark.org&c=E,1,_OuZLuxYKt8u1nTNoER82gTVe97MSIqwPzflbFWaC_MwBDbq1ljOq42eyNQWdb7GQQM9tSOPT2JMXgGQp7UexN9k59LqJUvGQhbv3DvDz3Jq-irkvGM,&typo=1
>
>
>
>
> <2022-0313 news.pdf>
