Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in East Palo Alto public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in roads
Woodland Avenue and sidewalk improvement grants
The west side of Woodland Avenue has confusing, legally unenforceable no-parking signs, and major projects (Newell Bridge replacement, creek widening) will likely wipe out most remaining on-street parking. Residents are already getting tickets while hit-and-runs go uninvestigated, and the council wants hard numbers on parking losses plus neighborhood meetings before decisions.
Daylighting and street safety rules
Residents reported a dangerous unfinished driveway entrance from the 2024 Addison sidewalk project, missing stop signs at Beach/Poagus, and problem speed bumps — asking the city to fix infrastructure left hazardous.
Reimagine Dumbarton Busway and Trail
SamTrans wants to turn the old rail line into a dedicated bus lane plus a walking and biking trail connecting East Palo Alto to Redwood City, possibly with service running deeper into EPA. Construction is optimistically the early 2030s.
Public Works and Transportation Commission appointments
Five candidates competed for two seats. Rafael Avendaño, a parks and safe-streets advocate new to town, won the full term; Ray Zhu, an engineer focused on walkable, bikeable streets, took the alternate seat on a revote after Betsy Yanis withdrew.
New parking and bus zones
LAZ Parking issued over 8,700 citations since April, but the permit parking program residents want won't be ready until mid-2027 — Dinan and residents want it faster.
University Avenue Grand Corridor Pilot Project
The council rejected the contract amendment for the University Avenue pilot design after members worried it would just funnel cut-through traffic onto neighborhood streets. Staff will do more outreach before the question returns.
Traffic and air quality concerns
Longtime resident Gail Dixon told the council the city has the Peninsula's highest asthma rate, blaming cut-through traffic and dust from Highway 101, Willow Road, and University Avenue. She urged the city to restrict through-traffic during certain hours.
Woodland Avenue parking and coming construction disruption
The west side of Woodland Avenue has confusing, legally unenforceable no-parking signs, and major projects (Newell Bridge replacement, creek widening) will likely wipe out most remaining on-street parking. Residents are already getting tickets while hit-and-runs go uninvestigated, and the council wants hard numbers on parking losses plus neighborhood meetings before decisions.
Traffic signal timing on city streets
Councilmember Dinan demanded the budget include a consultant to fix mistimed traffic signals — bad backups on Runnymede, University, Embarcadero, and East Bayshore that cost commuters 45 minutes getting through town. Public works has no signal-timing expert on staff.
101 Corridor Connect mini-grants
SMCTA is offering up to $750,000 per project — no local match — to jumpstart priority projects along the 101. East Palo Alto projects on the list include the University Avenue Grand Corridor, Pulgas Avenue, Willow Road, and several Active 101 bike/ped locations. Applications are due in July.
Connect Bay Area Act (SB 63) transit funding
SamTrans pitched a potential half-cent sales tax that could bring San Mateo County about $50 million a year for 14 years. Council and residents emphasized better frequency, weekend service, and keeping fare discounts — and were urged to fill out the survey before it closes.