Menlo Watch: Seeking safer intersections in Belle Haven neighborhood Menlo Watch: Seeking safer intersections in Belle Haven neighborhood (July 07, 2004)

Motorists suddenly slamming on the brakes when children cross the street. Drivers perplexed by a five-legged intersection. These are the problems that Menlo Park officials hope to ameliorate at two intersections in the Belle Haven neighborhood.

After residents voiced concerns about the safety of Belle Haven Elementary School students crossing Newbridge Street at Almanor Avenue, city officials plan to install stop signs on the north and south side of Newbridge to create a four-way stop. They will also add four crosswalks.

In addition, officials are planning improvements where Ivy Drive, Chilco Street and Henderson Avenue meet. A yield sign on westbound Henderson will be replaced by a stop sign, because drivers can assume the intersection is an all-way stop, transportation technician Richard Angulo wrote in a staff report. One "No Right Turn" and two "No Left Turn" signs will also be put in.

There have been two vehicle-pedestrian collisions at this intersection in the last two years, Mr. Angulo wrote.

With Paul Collacchi absent, the other four Menlo Park City Council members approved these steps June 29. The work is expected to cost $2,400 and be paid for by the Measure A transportation sales tax.

Burgess Pool to stay closed this summer

With no City Council direction to the contrary, it appears that Burgess Pool will stay closed during a delay in starting construction on a new pool there.

Some council members had expressed interest in keeping the pool open for another few months while the city sought new bids on the project. But staff recommended against it, saying they had already moved summer swimming programs to the Belle Haven Pool and the facility at Menlo-Atherton High School.

Keeping all three pools open could cost the city $53,500 for 10 weeks, largely due to staff costs, community services director Curtis Brown wrote in a staff report.

Mr. Brown stated that Burgess Pool would remain closed unless council members asked him at the June 29 meeting to reopen it. None did.

July holiday for the City Council

Menlo Park gadflies hankering for their regular fix of local politics will have to find something else to do on July 6 and 13. The City Council has canceled its meetings on those nights and will regroup the following Tuesday, July 20, in the council chambers at 801 Laurel St.

-- Rebecca Wallace

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