News digest News digest (February 18, 2004)

Channing traffic-calming trial begins next week

A four-month trial to slow motorists driving along Channing Avenue is expected to start next week with the installation of seven traffic devices, according to Palo Alto city staff. Two speed tables, two center medians, two median/pedestrian refuges and a raised crosswalk are planned for the stretch of Channing between Guinda Street and Greer Road in north Palo Alto. Another speed table and an electronic speed-limit sign are already in place.

Commuters often use Channing as a way to get from Embarcadero Road, near Highway 101, to Middlefield Road, residents said, and traffic studies have found that 15 percent of vehicles go 33 mph or faster in the 25-mph zone. At past neighborhood meetings, parents have expressed concerns for their children's safety. Duveneck Elementary School and St. Elizabeth Seton School are located on Channing, and children attending other schools in the area use Channing as well.

A final element to the traffic trial -- flashing lights that are embedded in the crosswalk pavement and set-off by pedestrians -- is expected to be installed after the seven devices are completed.

For information, contact the city's Transportation Division at (650) 329-2520. --Jocelyn Dong
City revenues down again

City financial forecasters missed the mark for the current fiscal year. The city is receiving $1.9 million less in sales tax revenue and $750,000 less in hotel tax revenue than anticipated.

Fortunately, the analysts also did not project an increase in the car tax revenue it will receive from the state. The city will also get a one-time tax spike from the Stanford Shopping Center's lease changing hands and property tax revenue was slightly higher than expected.

"We're just fortunate in the fact that in planning for the budget, we just had not included the VLF (the car tax)," said Charles Perl, the city's budget manager. "Thank goodness we didn't, because we're relying on that now to fix our issues with other revenue sources."

All in all, this year's budget has a $300,000 shortfall, although no major cuts are expected to balance the budget.

Next year, however, city forecasters are predicting to make some additional cuts, since tax revenues appear to not be keeping pace with the rise of expenses, despite more than $20 million in cuts the last two years.

The exact shortfall for next year is unknown.

The City Council's finance committee will be discussing the mid-year budget at its meeting Wednesday night, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the City Council conference room (250 Hamilton Ave.). --Bill D'Agostino
Open Space District expansion supported

The Midpeninsula Open Space District's planned expansion to the San Mateo County coast received two boosts last week, one official and the other more symbolic.

The Santa Clara County Local Agency Formation Commission voted unanimously to approve its expansion, and the commission voted to recommend that the San Mateo County Local Agency Formation Commission, which makes the final decision, also do so. The San Mateo County commission is scheduled to vote on the plan March 17.

Meanwhile, the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group lent its moral support to the expansion, saying the plan will protect both open space and the coastside's agricultural heritage.

"Our program is designed to preserve open space, protect farmland, and save the unique scenic beauty of the coast," said Mary Davey, president of the open space district's board.

The open space district, formed more than 30 years ago, manages nearly 50,000 acres of open space preserves in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. --Don Kazak

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