Weekly Digest for March 27, 2023

This week's features

• Storm Update: Wind and rain expected Tuesday (again)
• Preserve or remove? The Heritage Tree Ordinance and emergency removal permits
• Free virtual first-time homebuyer workshops
• Take the Ravenswood Avenue bike lane pilot survey 
• SamTrans needs your help to improve its bus stops
• Save the date – Egg Hunt at Flood Park
• City Council to decide on SB9 ordinance

Upcoming public meetings and events

• Tuesday, March 28, Noon
  English Conversation Club
• Tuesday, March 28, 6 p.m.
  City Council meeting
• Wednesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m.
  Octavia Butler: Genius Driven by Neurodiversity?
• Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.
  Seed Swap
• Saturday, April 1, 6:30 p.m
  Book-ish Trivia
• Sunday, April 2, 11 a.m.
  Jungle James Reptiles
• Monday, April 3, 6:30 p.m.
  Housing Commission meeting
• Monday, April 3, 6:30 p.m.
  Melanated Women Read: Fledgling
• Tuesday, April 4, 6 p.m.
  City Council meeting
• City calendar
  View all upcoming events

Storm update: Wind and rain expected Tuesday (again)

A powerful Pacific storm system will approach the West Coast Monday night, and it will bring rain and wind to our area. The National Weather Service has issued an expanded Wind Advisory from 5 a.m.–2 p.m., Tuesday, March 28. The rain will be heaviest Tuesday morning between 8–11 a.m., which may cause some surface street flooding in the normal trouble spots. Creek and channel flooding, as well as storm surge and tidal flooding, is not expected with this storm event. Due to heavily saturated soils, any tree with damaged or shallow roots…Click to continue

Preserve or remove? The Heritage Tree Ordinance and emergency removal permits

The heritage tree ordinance, Municipal Code Chapter 13.24, defines a heritage tree as: All trees other than oaks which have a trunk with a circumference of 47.1 inches (diameter of fifteen (15) inches) or more, measured fifty-four (54) inches above natural grade.  An oak tree (Quercus) which is native to California and has a trunk with a circumference of 31.4 inches (diameter of ten (10) inches) or more, measured at fifty-four (54) inches above natural grade.  A tree or group of trees of historical significance, special character or community benefit…Click to continue

Free virtual first-time homebuyer workshops

HEART of San Mateo County and Meriwest Mortgage have partnered to offer first-time homebuyers in San Mateo County down payment assistance to buy a home with only 5% down and no payment mortgage insurance. This program is eligible for the purchase of a market-rate single-family home, townhome, or condo worth up to $1,213,500 anywhere in San Mateo County. There will be a representative Realtor on-site to talk about what might be available in this challenging real estate market and how to make a successful offer…Click to continue

Take the Ravenswood Avenue bike lane pilot survey

In early March, the City began testing a pilot of a new bicycle lane on Ravenswood Avenue from Noel Drive to Alma Street, replacing the car lane for about 300 feet. The pilot started before repaving Ravenswood Avenue to gather data on the benefits and impacts to inform future decisions about the configuration of Ravenswood Avenue. Community members are encouraged to participate in the online survey. Staff will report back to the Complete Streets Commission in April and the City Council in early May to seek direction…Click to continue

SamTrans needs your help to improve its bus stops

SamTrans wants to hear about your experience using bus stops and learn what improvements—such as seating, shelter, real-time bus arrival information, and trash cans—are most important. Your input will help SamTrans develop the Bus Stop Improvement Plan (BSIP), which will create new bus stop design guidelines and establish a process with local governments to improve bus stops throughout the SamTrans service area. Share your thoughts and input by participating in the online bus stop survey or the upcoming virtual community…Click to continue

Save the date – Egg Hunt at Flood Park

The City of Menlo Park, in partnership with San Mateo County Parks, will host the annual Egg Hunt event for children and families at Flood Park. Flood Park is 21-acres with large areas of lawn and ample parking, conveniently near the pedestrian and bicycle overcrossing at U.S. Highway 101. This free family event will feature crafts, a candy guess, egg hunt organized by children’s age groups, photos with the bunny, fire engine rides and more. Join in on the fun! Saturday, April 8, 2023, 10 a.m.–Noon, at Flood Park – Oak Area…Click to continue

City Council to decide on SB9 ordinance

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, the City Council introduced an ordinance to implement Senate Bill 9 (SB9). The ordinance creates development standards for two-unit developments and urban lot splits in single-family zoning districts, including: setbacks and stepbacks, floor area and building coverage limits, daylight plane and off-street parking. The City Council unanimously voted to introduce the ordinance with direction to reduce the required parking ratio from one space per unit to 0.5 space per unit. The staff report, including a draft of…Click to continue