No relief for Churchill Avenue No relief for Churchill Avenue (October 10, 2003)

Contentious neighbors kill street 'calming' project

by Bill D'Agostino

Agitated neighbors have effectively prevented one congested Palo Alto street from getting "calmed" -- at least for the time being.

Churchill Avenue residents have for years complained to the city that scores of cars plague their road. But plans to calm traffic on that street would just direct it onto adjacent roads, said nearby residents who have expressed their concerns during several city meetings on the topic.

As a result, city officials have dropped a plan to slow traffic along Churchill until there is money and time for a broader look at the entire neighborhood.

"It became impossible to come up with a solution that pleased everybody," said Joe Kott, the city's chief transportation official.

"I'm very glad that it was shelved," noted David Cone, who lives on Waverly Street, near Churchill. "I think traffic calming on one street means 'traffic-more-so' on other streets."

During one meeting, neighbors like Cone primarily opposed signs that would prohibit people from making a left hand turn onto Churchill. They also voted against simply adding street tables -- speed bumps that have a more gradual rise -- on Churchill.

"You might say they threw the baby out with the bathwater," Kott said.

The postponement of the Churchill Avenue traffic program will be discussed by the council on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

The delay of the Churchill Avenue plan comes as another neighborhood -- Downtown North -- vigorously debates a six-month trial project that barricaded several streets in that neighborhood.

Although some love the project because it eases traffic and limits the number of commuters who speed through their neighborhood, others are angry because they find the closures an unnecessary nuisance.

Like with the neighbors along Chuchill, middle ground has been hard to come by. Not deterred by the angry voices, some in that neighborhood have been meeting in recent weeks to find a compromise.

On Dec. 16, the trial will be removed and a new plan will be developed by the city. Ultimately, the council holds the final decision on the project's future.

Both situations, Kott noted, highlights a traffic paradox: Everybody loves to drive but no one wants other people to drive in front of their house.

"No one volunteered not to drive, can we put it that way," he said.

E-mail Bill D'Agostino at bdagostino@paweekly.com