Randy, Kent, and Chip,

If Woodland residents are awarded the sidewalk project, we would like to meet to discuss sidewalk design options given our proximity to the creek. I¹ve been told that KENT is the expert on creek side regulations drainage requirements.

OUR SIDEWALK GOALS

A) To create a safe place to walk and bicycle to school.
B) To maintain the rural nature of woodland
C) To keep all heritage trees.

DESIGN PROCESS
1. As you can imagine, the most difficult part of the sidewalk project will be to get all residents to agree on the type of sidewalks to be installed. Therefore, I am assuming that residents would like to be involved with the sidewalk design, and how it will affect our individual properties, driveways, on-street parking, and property encroachments. 2. When can the residents have a meeting with you to discuss these issues? 3. Can we do a ³walk-through² on the street with staff and concerned residents to address how the new sidewalk will effect individual properties. Some property owners will need to make landscaping plans.

OPTIONS and COSTS
1. As the Woodland Sidewalk Project organizer, I am wondering if we can narrow the street, to slow down traffic and provide room for a green border between the sidewalk and the street. How narrow can the street be? In some areas on Woodland, the street is VERY narrow and therefore BEAUTIFUL. Can we make our end of Woodland that narrow?
2. A few residents are concerned about losing their on-street parking in front of their already existing sidewalks.. Would it be possible to install a ³tree border² in new sidewalk areas only? 3. Given the above: we are wondering if a cement path with a green vegetation border between the path and the street. This type of sidewalk design occurs on many areas of Woodland between Pope and Middlefield already, and is much safer for pedestrians and more attractive. It provides an added barrier to vehicles negotiating the many curves. The path curves AROUND trees, eliminating the need to remove them. What would be the added cost for this design? Could residents plant their own trees/bushes if the cost of planting trees is prohibitive?
4. Same as above, but instead of a cement path, We are wondering if a DG path would be possible, DG is the new ³green² sidewalk. It creates Very little run off if any as it absorbs rain. Perhaps this might avoid having to build a gutter for drainage? There is a DG path along Middlefield in Atherton. The path has a ³tree lined border² between the path and the street, providing a natural ³wall² to protect pedestrians from traffic. There is also a DG path with Oak Trees at the intersection of Chaucer and Woodland. It is lovely and very natural. What would be the cost for this design? Again, could residents plant their own trees/bushes if the cost of planting trees is prohibitive?

We look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,
Dana

Dana Shields & Bob Hubbell
1231 Woodland Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Home 650 326 7999
Mobile 650 326 2316

From: "Craig, Randolph M" <rmcraig_at_menlopark.org> Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:07:36 -0800
Cc: "Taylor, Charles W" <CWTaylor_at_menlopark.org> Conversation: Sidewalk
Subject: Sidewalk

Greetings Dana:  

Next Tuesday (Jan 27th) we will bring the attached staff report to City Council, if approved the next steps include the following:  

1. The preliminary sidewalk design would include concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk, to fill in the missing links of sidewalk on the section of Woodland Ave between Euclid and Menalto and also identify parking, landscape and drainage impacts that will be necessary to construct a new sidewalk.
2. Re-Survey with the preliminary sidewalk design, to see if residents are still interested in sidewalks being installed on their street, knowing the impacts.
3. If a majority support is achieved from the re-survey, cost estimates would be prepared.
4. Then final plans and construction would commence.

If you have any question please don¹t hesitate to call me.  

Thank you kindly,  

Randolph M. Craig
Assistant Transportation Engineer
City of Menlo Park
650-330-6772   Received on Mon Jan 26 2009 - 10:24:08 PST