2023 Priorities
Willow Oaks Park Project (Willows neighborhood) - The city is currently completing the design phase of a major overhaul of Willow Oaks Park which includes several updated and new elements such as fencing around the open field, updated paths throughout the park including to Gilbert Avenue, a new pathway connecting the park to the Pope St./Elm St. intersection, new play structures, completely redesigned dog park, new basketball courts and new restroom facilities.
Bay Rd Project (Flood Triangle neighborhood) - Councilmember Combs had teamed up with neighbors in the Flood Triangle neighborhood to propose a complete update of Bay Rd. (from Ringwood Ave. to Willow Rd.) and several of the neighborhood streets with which it intersects. This updated would include street repaving, new striping, sidewalk installation, crosswalk installation and landscaping.
Woodland Ave./Middlefield Rd. Intersection Project (Willow neighborhood) - The intersection of Woodland and Middlefield is a primary route by which residents of the Willows exit and enter the neighborhood. But the intersection lacks a crosswalk and has elements of a blind curve making it especially challenging for bikers and pedestrians. The intersection is likely to get a major overhaul in 2025 as part of the replacement of the Pope/Chaucer Bridge. But city staff is currently exploring interim measures focused specifically on improving the experience of bikers and pedestrians.
Gilbert Avenue Project - Gilbert Avenue represents a key street for those traveling within and through the Willows neighborhood. It is an especially important thoroughfare for students traveling by bike to Laurel Elementary School - Upper Campus and Menlo-Atherton High School as well as residents traveling to the Menalto retail strip. Cars traveling at excessive rates of speed on Gilbert Avenue has emerged as an concern of the community. In March 2023, a Stop sign was installed for those traveling on Gilbert Ave at the intersection of Pope Street in an effort to slow traffic. But additional measures to slow motorists on Gilbert remain under consideration and will be a topic of discussion at upcoming neighborhood forums.
Planning Review/Approval for Substandard Lots Updated - The current planning review and approval process for residential projects unfairly penalizes the smaller lot sizes typical in District 2 by requiring Planning Commission approval for new builds and more extensive renovations. Planning Commission approval isn’t required for projects on the standard-sized lots that tend to be more prevalent in other neighborhoods. The requirement of Planning Commission approval tends to add more to the cost and time required for a project. Councilmember Combs has proposed updates to the planning approval process to address this unfairness.
Willow Road/Highway 101 Interchange Improvements - The city is currently in the final design phase of new landscaping for the Willow Road/Highway 101 Interchange. These landscape improvements will represent the final part of the reconstruction of the overpass and interchange.
Bay Rd Project (Flood Triangle neighborhood) - Councilmember Combs had teamed up with neighbors in the Flood Triangle neighborhood to propose a complete update of Bay Rd. (from Ringwood Ave. to Willow Rd.) and several of the neighborhood streets with which it intersects. This updated would include street repaving, new striping, sidewalk installation, crosswalk installation and landscaping.
Woodland Ave./Middlefield Rd. Intersection Project (Willow neighborhood) - The intersection of Woodland and Middlefield is a primary route by which residents of the Willows exit and enter the neighborhood. But the intersection lacks a crosswalk and has elements of a blind curve making it especially challenging for bikers and pedestrians. The intersection is likely to get a major overhaul in 2025 as part of the replacement of the Pope/Chaucer Bridge. But city staff is currently exploring interim measures focused specifically on improving the experience of bikers and pedestrians.
Gilbert Avenue Project - Gilbert Avenue represents a key street for those traveling within and through the Willows neighborhood. It is an especially important thoroughfare for students traveling by bike to Laurel Elementary School - Upper Campus and Menlo-Atherton High School as well as residents traveling to the Menalto retail strip. Cars traveling at excessive rates of speed on Gilbert Avenue has emerged as an concern of the community. In March 2023, a Stop sign was installed for those traveling on Gilbert Ave at the intersection of Pope Street in an effort to slow traffic. But additional measures to slow motorists on Gilbert remain under consideration and will be a topic of discussion at upcoming neighborhood forums.
Planning Review/Approval for Substandard Lots Updated - The current planning review and approval process for residential projects unfairly penalizes the smaller lot sizes typical in District 2 by requiring Planning Commission approval for new builds and more extensive renovations. Planning Commission approval isn’t required for projects on the standard-sized lots that tend to be more prevalent in other neighborhoods. The requirement of Planning Commission approval tends to add more to the cost and time required for a project. Councilmember Combs has proposed updates to the planning approval process to address this unfairness.
Willow Road/Highway 101 Interchange Improvements - The city is currently in the final design phase of new landscaping for the Willow Road/Highway 101 Interchange. These landscape improvements will represent the final part of the reconstruction of the overpass and interchange.
