Dear Menlo Park City Council Members,

Thank you for your effort and time serving on our City Council. I would also like to thank the engineering staff for their time and effort spent working with the residents and community to better improve the safety, walkability and drainage on Sharon Road. The process was professional, respectful and inclusive and for that I am appreciative.

As a resident of Sharon Road, I join with my neighbors and urge the Council to choose the asphalt multi-use pathway option, supported and recommended by your expert professional transportation staff. It provides a safer, preferred option for cyclists and pedestrians, much needed improved drainage (the prospect of not having to don mid leg rain boots to get my mail during the rainy season makes me giddy!) and doesn’t require the removal of numerous heritage trees which the concrete sidewalk option would require. The street’s original design along with multiple paving overlays have created areas of the street that have little to no drainage. One neighbor had to take matters into their own hands and create berms on their property to prevent flooding into their garage.
We have been told by the engineers the asphalt multi-use path is a city approved building standard that is found throughout the city. We feel it allows for a larger area on one level for multi-use with no step up required to move out of the way. It also is easier to navigate for strollers and wheelchairs. It allows for a safe place to pull over if needed and short-term overflow parking for La Entrada’s school activities. We enjoy our proximity to La Entrada and feel we are good neighbors who are routinely impacted by overflow parking and traffic back up for the numerous school events/sports that take place throughout the year. The sidewalk option will result in parking in these many instances that will encroach the already narrow roadway.

Given the constraints of the road’s topography, utilities, impact on existing landscape (heritage trees) we believe sidewalks would give the illusion of a wider street. There is research data that states wider streets invite higher speeds. After living here for 15 years and walking it daily I can attest that currently vehicles drive slower on our street when pedestrians are present. Speed becomes a factor when they feel no one is on the street and are “gunning” to make the light at the Alameda. The assertion by others that the street is currently drastically dangerous simply isn’t supported by the public records of the Menlo Park Police Department & San Mateo County Sheriff. We eagerly welcome the staff’s plans to include speed reducing/calming signage and striping as part of multiuse pathway option.

I am hoping that in your decision-making process you will support the staff’s recommended asphalt multi-use pathway that provides improved safety and drainage while being mindful that the sidewalk option would require the removal of numerous heritage trees and additional engineering to deal with the existing land/street constraints. All of which could increase the project costs past the current designated funds. We question if additional funds can be justified when the city faces unprecedented times financially. Thanks for your consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

Marci & Corey Coggins
2176 Sharon Road