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Palo Vol. XL, Number 26 March 29, 2019
Alto Report: Closing
Churchill could
cause traffic jams
Page 5
w w w. P a l o A l t o O n l i n e.c o m
WHOSE
RULES?
California housing bill
SB 50 stirs fears, hopes
Page 15
Transitions 10 Spectrum 12 Movies 27 Puzzles 38
QA&E At Cubberley, soup-bowl Sunday melds art, dinner Page 25
QHome Spring cleaning: Making meaning out of mess Page 28
QSports Top track and field athletes at Stanford Invitational Page 41
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Page 2 • March 29, 2019 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
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License# 01256035 www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • March 29, 2019 • Page 3
Training the next generation of
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For 128 years, Stanford has pursued world-class medical, environmental, and social sciences research
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L E A R N M O R E A T G U P. S T A N F O R D . E D U
Page 4 • March 29, 2019 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Upfront Local news, information and analysis
Closing Churchill to cars could create jams elsewhere
New traffic study shows new rail configuration evident in the dozens of emails About 100 residents attended hour (between 8 and 9 a.m.) and
submitted to the City Council in the meeting at Mitchell Park 776 cars during the afternoon
would divert hundreds of cars to other streets recent weeks on the subject of Community Center to hear about peak hour (5:15 to 6:15 p.m.) to
by Gennady Sheyner “grade separation,” the recon- these two options and learn about other streets.
figuration of rail crossings so that a recent traffic analysis that the The firm also identified eight
A
s Palo Alto moves closer The concerns are particularly tracks and roads will not intersect. city’s consultant, Pleasanton- intersections where traffic
to picking a new design acute in Professorville, where They were also reflected in some based TJKM, conducted around flows would be diminished by
for its four rail crossings, many fear that the city’s plan to of the questions that residents Churchill. Ruta Jariwala, princi- Churchill’s closure: Alma Street
residents are warning that one of close Churchill will bring more asked at a Wednesday night com- pal at TJKM, said the study sur- and Lincoln Avenue; Alma and
the more promising solutions — cars to Embarcadero Road and, to munity meeting, which was pri- veyed traffic at 24 intersections. Embarcadero; Alma and Kings-
the closure of Churchill Avenue some extent, their neighborhood marily focused on two alternatives: It indicated that the closure of ley Avenue; El Camino Real and
to cars — may create traffic jams streets. the closure of Churchill and the Churchill would divert about 706
in nearby neighborhoods. Some of these anxieties were construction of a citywide tunnel. cars during the morning peak (continued on page 8)
EDUCATION
Ravenswood
enrollment
decline worse
than predicted
Consultant says district
could have fewer than
1,800 students by 2023
by Elena Kadvany
A
n enrollment consultant
is projecting that the Ra-
venswood City School
District will lose 27 percent of
its 2,400 students over the next
five years, a decline that is far
sharper than the district itself
has predicted.
The K-8 East Palo Alto district
already has the region’s “most
severe” enrollment decline, ac-
cording to the San Mateo-based
Enrollment Projection Consul-
tants, and is facing challenging
Veronica Weber
years ahead. While skyrocketing
housing costs and falling birth
rates are the main culprits of
enrollment decreases in school
Carport fire prompts poodle rescue districts throughout Silicon Val-
An open carport in Palo Alto’s Downtown North neighborhood caught on fire Wednesday afternoon, requiring the evacuation of ley, the opening of a new charter
residents and neighbors and the rescue of a poodle, according to police and fire officials. Police Officer Robert Longwell rescued school, Kipp Valiant Commu-
Cody, a 10-year-old poodle that was found curled up on a bed in the property’s rear unit. Firefighters were able to put out the blaze nity Prep, and the private Pri-
before it burned other structures, but a silver Mercedes-Benz sedan in the carport was damaged beyond repair. No one was injured. mary School in East Palo Alto
Go to PaloAltoOnline.com to read the full story and see other photos. compounded those losses for
Ravenswood.
The picture that Enrollment
the chief?’ I liked the idea of Jonsen, who took over as the Projection Consultants paints
NEIGHBORHOODS people in the neighborhoods get- city’s top cop in 2018, convened is “bleak,” Partner Tom Wil-
ting to connect with him directly the group to help build commu- liams wrote in a report that the
Chief’s new advisory group if there’s a problem,” she said of
Chief Robert Jonsen.
nity participation and identify is-
sues of importance on a granular
school board was set to discuss
on Thursday evening (March 28),
targets neighborhood concerns When parked cars near street
intersections began blocking
level. The advisory group, which
met for the first time in Novem-
after the Weekly’s press deadline.
He estimates Ravenswood
Traffic, parking and police use of video drivers’ views, Pianetta wrote an ber, was supposed to be limited to will lose 583 students by 2021.
email to Jonsen about the issue 16 members. But residents’ eager- In sharp contrast, the district
footage tops initial discussions and they met. Within a week, she ness caused Jonsen to double the had estimated in January that it
by Sue Dremann saw an officer looking over the group’ size to 32 — including all would lose 136 students over the
situation. who applied, he said. next three years.
B
arron Park resident Ann Chief’s Advisory Group, she “I feel much more connected Residents and business people While virtually all districts in
Pianetta, like many other found it gave her unprecedented to Palo Alto this way. Before, I are now alerting the department the region are losing students, Ra-
Palo Altans, has issues in access to get results she hadn’t never felt they ever cared before,” to unresolved problems and venswood’s 27 percent enrollment
her neighborhood with parking. thought possible. said Pianetta, a retired medical
When she joined the new police “I thought, ‘How great to know hypnotherapist. (continued on page 7) (continued on page 7)
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • March 29, 2019 • Page 5
Upfront
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the FREE use of a Loaner Guitar for the duration
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(650) 326-8210
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
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ncluded..
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nig EDITORIAL
for eight weeks beginning April 1st. Editor Jocelyn Dong (223-6514)
For more information about this and Carol’s other classes Associate Editor Linda Taaffe (223-6511)
at Gryphon, visit www.carolmccomb.com
and click on “group classes.”
Sports Editor Rick Eymer (223-6516)
Arts & Entertainment Editor Karla Kane (223-6517)
We’ve been carpet-bombed with
Assistant Sports Editor Glenn Reeves (223-6521) bills from Sacramento!
Express & Digital Editor Jamey Padojino
(223-6524) —Dennis Richards, a San Francisco planning
Staff Writers Sue Dremann (223-6518), Elena commissioner, on proposed state bills that could
Stringed Instruments Kadvany (223-6519), Gennady Sheyner (223-6513)
Since 1969 override local housing laws. See story on page 15.
Staff Photographer/Videographer
650 493 2131 Veronica Weber (223-6520)
Around Town
Editorial Assistant/Intern Coordinator
3HTILY[(]LU\L7HSV(S[V Cierra Bailey (223-6526)
www.gryphonstrings.com Photo Intern Jennifer Rodriguez
Contributors Chrissi Angeles, Mike Berry,
Carol Blitzer, Peter Canavese, Yoshi Kato,
Chris Kenrick, Jack McKinnon, Alissa Merksamer, WHEELING AND DEALING ... The 18-year-old also made history
Sheryl Nonnenberg, Kaila Prins, Ruth Schechter, A proposal to tear down the when he joined fellow American
Monica Schreiber, Jay Thorwaldson
building that once housed Ming’s male skater Nathan Chen on the
ADVERTISING Restaurant and to construct a podium, marking the first time
Vice President Sales & Marketing two-story automobile dealership that two U.S. men stood on the
Tom Zahiralis (223-6570)
along the Baylands edged closer world-championships podium
Digital Sales Manager Caitlin Wolf (223-6508)
to reality this week, when the since 1996, according to Team
Multimedia Advertising Sales
Tiffany Birch (223-6573), Elaine Clark (223-6572),
city’s Planning and Transportation USA. The award is redemption for
Connie Jo Cotton (223-6571), Jillian Schrager Commission narrowly approved Zhou, who finished 19th overall at
® a zone change that would last year’s world championships
Real Estate Advertising Sales
Neal Fine (223-6583), Rosemary Lewkowitz make the project possible. The after taking third in the short
(223-6585)
proposal by Holman Automotive program. It seems like Zhou is on
Legal Advertising Alicia Santillan (223-6578)
Group also entails the demolition a roll — he placed second behind
ADVERTISING SERVICES of an existing Audi service Chen at the U.S. Figure Skating
Advertising Services Manager building to construct the new Championships in late January
Kevin Legarda (223-6597)
dealership, which will be shared and third at the Four Continents
Sales & Production Coordinators
by Mercedes-Benz and Audi and Figure Skating Championships
Diane Martin (223-6584), Nico Navarrete (223-6582)
which will include a detached a few weeks ago. He easily
DESIGN
car wash. The commission voted earned nearly 20 points for his
Design & Production Manager
4-3 to support the proposal, quad Lutz-triple toe combo that
Kristin Brown (223-6562)
despite arguments from some kicked off his free skate at the
Senior Designers Linda Atilano, Paul Llewellyn
members that the 48-foot-tall world championships. “It felt
Designers Amy Levine, Doug Young
building will be incompatible incredible,” Zhou told Team USA.
The DeLeon Difference®
BUSINESS
with the Baylands. “The scale of “Everything came together today.
Payroll & Benefits Suzanne Ogawa (223-6541)
this building is astonishing,” said To have the opportunity to do that
Business Associates Adil Ahsan (223-6575),
Commissioner Doria Summa, on such a big stage... I’m really
650.543.8500
Ji Loh (223-6543), Angela Yuen (223-6542)
one of the dissenters. She proud of myself for staying in my
ADMINISTRATION
recommended that the applicant own bubble.” He added: “To end
www.deleonrealty.com Courier Ruben Espinoza
consider applying for a different this experience like this is really
EMBARCADERO MEDIA zoning designation: Research, incredible.”
President William S. Johnson (223-6505) Office and Limited Manufacturing
650.543.8500 | www.deleonrealty.com | DeLeon Realty CalBRE #01903224 Vice President Michael I. Naar (223-6540) (ROLM), which would have still BUDDING JOURNALIST ... Palo
Vice President & CFO Peter Beller (223-6545) enabled the dealership but would Alto High School senior Ashley
Vice President Sales & Marketing have imposed tighter height Hitchings, co-editor-in-chief of
Tom Zahiralis (223-6570)
standards. Commissioners Ed the school’s Verde Magazine,
Director, Information Technology & Webmaster
“There’s no place like home.” Frank A. Bravo (223-6551)
Lauing and Carolyn Templeton has been picked as California’s
Director of Marketing and Audience
also voted against the proposal, Journalist of the Year by the
Development Emily Freeman (223-6560) with Lauing saying he would state Journalism Education
Major Accounts Sales Manager be uncomfortable making a Association, the organization
Connie Jo Cotton (223-6571) zone change to accommodate announced earlier this month.
Circulation Assistant Alicia Santillan a specific application and Along with the state title, Hitchings
Computer System Associates Matthew Hargrove, Templeton suggesting that the will receive the $500 Arnetta
Chris Planessi
proposed dealership would be Garcin Memorial Scholarship and
The Palo Alto Weekly (ISSN 0199-1159) is published every
Friday by Embarcadero Media, 450 Cambridge Ave., Palo
“out of scale” with the surrounding a spot in the association’s national
Alto, CA 94306, (650) 326-8210. Periodicals postage paid at area. Commissioner Asher contest that will announce its
Palo Alto, CA and additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a
newspaper of general circulation for Santa Clara County. Waldfogel agreed that the project winners in late April. Hitchings is
The Palo Alto Weekly is delivered free to homes in Palo probably isn’t the best use of the the fourth student from Paly to
Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto,
to faculty and staff households on the Stanford campus site. But he gave the proposal earn the award. Hitchings has
and to portions of Los Altos Hills. If you are not currently
receiving the paper, you may request free delivery by
his tepid support, noting that it is built a substantive portfolio in less
calling 326-8210. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to generally consistent with existing than three years, sharing a byline
Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302. ©2018
zoning and it will likely bring in for a 2017 story that centered on
Matched CareGivers
by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction
without permission is strictly prohibited. The Palo Alto significant sales-tax revenue for Kim Diorio’s resignation as school
Weekly is available on the Internet via Palo Alto Online at:
www.PaloAltoOnline.com the city. Chair William Riggs, principal and the federal Office for
Matched CareGivers is nurse owned and operated Our email addresses are: editor@paweekly.com, Vice Chair Michael Alcheck Civil Rights’ investigation into the
letters@paweekly.com, digitalads@paweekly.com,
and has provided the best in home care and case ads@paweekly.com and Commissioner Giselle school district’s Title IX violations.
Roohparvar joined Waldfogel in The article won second place in
management on the peninsula for over 25 years. Missed delivery or start/stop your paper?
Call (650) 223-6557, or email circulation@paweekly.com. voting to advance the proposal. feature writing from the National
You may also subscribe online at
Our trained caregivers provide personal care, www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Subscriptions are $60/yr. Federation of Press Women and
bathing, dressing, companionship, exercise mobility ICE CAPADES ... The 2019 first place for a general feature
assistance, and much more. ISU World Figure Skating from association’s northern
Championships proved to be California chapter. “As a reporter
momentous for Palo Alto’s and editor, Ashley has been a
When someone you care about needs assistance... Become a Vincent Zhou, who collected vigorous pursuer of truth and
you can count on us to be there. Call (650) 839-2273 Paid Subscriber for as low his first world medal, a bronze, crafter of important stories,” Verde
as $5 per month on March 23 at Saitama Super adviser Paul Kandell wrote in an
Menlo Park • San Mateo • San Jose Lic# 41470002 Sign up online at Arena in Saitama City, Japan, award recommendation letter for
about 21.5 miles north of Tokyo. Hitchings. Q
MatchedCareGivers.com www.PaloAltoOnline.com/
user/subscribe
Page 6 • March 29, 2019 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Upfront
Jonsen, the chief “came across as enrollment over the last two years Williams wrote.
Police very clear. He’s an excellent com- Ravenswood dropped from below 400 to 300 There are some local housing
(continued from page 5) municator,” Guislin said, adding (continued from page 5) students and then to about 200 developments on the horizon
he was impressed with the chief’s students. Kipp, which opened that could help stabilize Raven-
providing feedback on key issues command and management of his decline is “far greater” than what with kindergarten, first and sixth swood’s enrollment, but the num-
that will affect the department’s department. his organization is forecasting grades, also caused a much larger ber of units or potential students
policy, from parking and traffic to “To date this group has been a for the other 23 districts it works net loss in the number of students that could be generated by those
the use of video cameras in patrol very positive example of how to with in San Mateo and Santa graduating from fifth to sixth projects remains unclear.
cars and on officers’ uniforms. harness citizen engagement for Clara counties. The decrease will grade, the report states. Williams highlighted three
The members range in age from public benefit,” he said. happen in elementary and middle Most Kipp students live with- positive findings in his report.
36 to 77 years old and include at- The chief is equally satisfied school grade levels and in every in the district and all Primary Ravenswood saw small rebounds
torneys, health care professionals, with his group. elementary attendance area of the School students do, so “the ma- this year in the number of stu-
small-business owners, scientists, “I’m very impressed with the district, according to Williams’ jority of both of those schools’ dents who live in what’s defined
technologists, a senior Olympian, engagement level of the commu- report. students probably otherwise as “relatively modest” single-
a human resources manager, a for- nity members and their willing- In five years, Ravenswood will would have been enrolled in the family detached homes. The birth
mer Palo Alto Council of PTAs ness to help us enhance the way be down to just 1,747 students, district’s regular schools,” Wil- counts in the San Mateo County
president, a real estate agent, an we serve the public,” he said in an Williams estimated — a sharp liams wrote. These trends are portion of the 94303 ZIP code
artist and retirees. email statement to the Weekly. contrast to the 3,547 students expected to continue until Kipp also went up rather than declined
The group meets every two The department is reviewing enrolled in 2012. Even without and The Primary School are ful- in 2018. Lastly, a large number of
months and has representatives the group’s suggestions on traffic charter schools, Ravenswood’s ly enrolled. potential units in below-market-
covering most neighborhoods enforcement and the Field-Based regular enrollment fell by 1,161, The report also underscores rate developments in the area
across Palo Alto. Video Policy, which includes or 33 percent, from 2012 to 2018 the region’s housing crisis. East could help bring more students
With just three meetings under cameras on patrol cars and the — including a loss of 307 stu- Palo Alto families are leaving to the district and also provide
their belts, participants said they body-worn cameras, to see if any dents last year. the area due to unaffordability stable housing for students who
are impressed with the chief’s changes should be incorporated, Ravenswood’s regular en- and “further decline will oc- live in temporary housing or are
responsiveness and each other’s he said. rollment in the last year, not cur if a larger-than-projected sleeping in cars or RVs, Williams
commitment. Each had a slightly While advisory members have counting those of the charters, portion of the students, in net, wrote. Q
different reason for joining, but expressed satisfaction with their dropped by 11 percent, accord- who are in temporary housing Staff Writer Elena Kadvany
there are many overlaps, the most participation, the group has come ing to the report. Meanwhile, or are living in vehicles need to can be emailed at ekadvany@
common being familiarity with under criticism on one front: Redwood City School District’s leave the district before 2023,” paweekly.com.
the department’s Citizens Police The meetings are not open to the enrollment declined by 3 per-
Academy training. public. cent, Menlo Park City School
Pianetta said she enrolled in According to Jonsen, the group District’s by 1 percent, Las Lo-
the citizens academy to learn is informal — not a political body mitas Elementary School Dis-
how Palo Alto police work to take like a committee or a board. In trict’s by 6 percent and Portola
care of the city. Joining the chief’s previous interviews, he said he Valley Elementary School Dis-
group was a logical next step.
Since officers can’t be every-
wanted to keep the group focused.
But, he said, if anyone wants to
trict’s by 6 percent.
Ravenswood’s kindergarten
Voted Best On The Peninsula
where, the group helps the chief give input or suggest a discussion enrollment took a major hit in the
understand neighborhood needs, item, they are welcome to send 2017-18 school year, when Kipp
she said. an email to pd@citypaloalto.org. opened and The Primary School
Alan Bennett, a retired physi- The department will ensure the added its first kindergarten
cist and research and development message is shared with the whole class. The combined effect was
manager, is one of four advisers group, including the chief. Q that Ravenswood’s kindergarten
from the Old Palo Alto district
and also an academy alum. Dur-
ing a meeting about traffic and
parking, he suggested adding a
stop sign at a dangerous location.
Public Agenda
Last week, the group discussed A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week
policy on patrol-car and body- CITY COUNCIL ... The council will meet in a closed session to discuss
worn cameras. Some members the status of the city’s labor negotiations with the Utilities Management
went through the policy carefully,
he said.
and Professional Association of Palo Alto (UMPAPA), the Service
Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 521, the Police Officers’
CLEARANCE SALE ON NOW!
“On the whole, it is a well- Association of Palo Alto (PAPOA), the Palo Alto Police Managers’
thought-out policy,” he added.
Adobe Meadow resident Al
Association (PMA), and International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Voted ³Best On The Peninsula´
Local 1319, and the Palo Alto Fire Chief’s Association (FCA). The council
Dorsky, a retired chemist, said will then consider approving a request to demolish an existing hotel at
joining the group meant he could 3200 El Camino Real and construct a new 99-room hotel; and adopting
represent his neighborhood — and an ordinance to amend the zoning code’s provision on non-complying
tie in his education and planning downtown facilities. The closed session will begin at 5 p.m. on Monday,
work with the city’s Emergency April 1, at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave. The rest of the meeting will follow
Services Volunteer program. in the Council Chambers at 6 p.m. or as soon as possible after the
“It’s a good thing to be connect- closed session.
ed to the police department,” he
said. “We’re getting inside infor- COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to make
mation — that’s the main thing.” recommendations on the 2019-2020 Community Development Block
John Guislin, a Crescent Park Grant (CDBG) allocations; discuss preliminary rate changes for electric
resident, has long advocated and gas utilities; and discuss the Fiscal Year 2020 budget materials. The
for a safer Middlefield Road, meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, in the Community
spearheading an ultimately suc- Meeting Room at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave.
cessful campaign to get the city
to take action. When the advi- COUNCIL POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE ... The committee
sory group’s first topic included plans to consider the 2019-2020 Sustainability Work Plan. The meeting
looking at where the department will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, in the Community Meeting
needs more traffic enforcement, Room at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave.
he was impressed. As traffic
has increased, reckless driving ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ... The board plans to discuss a
has also increased, he said. The proposal to demolish the Ming’s Restaurant building and an existing
group plans to send the chief a list Audi service building and to construct a two-story automobile
of troubled intersections for each dealership at 1700 and 1730 Embarcadero Road, The meeting will begin
neighborhood. at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, in the Council Chambers at City Hall,
The department also presented 250 Hamilton Ave.
a report to the group about the
nationwide opioid crisis and what 3592 Haven Ave, Redwood City
Palo Alto police are doing about
the problem locally, he said. Want to get news briefs emailed to you every weekday? OPEN DAILY 10:30 - 5 Ph 650-366-0411
During his encounters with
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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • March 29, 2019 • Page 7
Upfront
have a disastrous accident at any is taking longer to achieve than option and others dismissing it as amenities to be built on top of it.
Rail time. A dramatic increase in the most had expected. Even though prohibitively expensive and, thus, “Once the tunnel is in place,
(continued from page 5) traffic will make it even more the council has narrowed the unrealistic. Manish Baldua, who it can expand in the future (like
dangerous.” number of grade-separation op- lives on Alma near the Churchill London, Paris, New York) down
Embarcadero; Oregon Express- Thomas Kellerman pointed tions under consideration from crossing, was in the latter camp. to many levels and support many
way and Middlefield Road; Alma to the data in the analysis as an 34 to about six, it failed to select In a letter to the council, Baldua tracks,” Otto wrote. Q
and Oregon; and Embarcadero indication that the closure of a preferred alternative by the end called the tunnel “the most dis- Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner
and Cowper Street. Churchill crossing would have a of 2018, as initially planned. On ruptive option, causing massive can be emailed at gsheyner@
It also proposed mitigations to “very significant” impact on the March 18, members punted the environmental damages” and an paweekly.com.
improve traffic at these intersec- Emerson/Embarcadero intersec- decision further and moved the “irresponsible spending of tax-
tions. These include a restricted tion. Despite these findings, no deadline for selecting a preferred payer’s money.”
left-turn and a right-turn-only mitigations have been suggested alternative to October. Carlin Otto, who lives near TALK ABOUT IT
PaloAltoOnline.com
lane on Alma and Lincoln; traf- to address this impact, Kellerman One option that remains, de- the Charleston crossing, dis-
fic signals at Alma and Kingsley; wrote. spite major reservations by city agreed and called the tunnel an Weigh in on the traffic study and
and a new westbound left-turn “In keeping with the council’s staff and most council mem- ideal solution — one that would read what others are saying about
it on Town Square, the discussion
lane and a northbound right-turn resolution adopted regarding bers, is a citywide tunnel. Much improve east-west movement of forum at PaloAltoOnline.com/
lane on El Camino and Embar- mitigations, it is incumbent on like at prior meetings, the city’s cars, bikes and people and allow square.
cadero. The study also recom- the council to require adequate consultants offered an array of parks, tennis courts and other
mends signalized intersections mitigations prior to approving a reasons why a tunnel would be
at Alma and Oregon and a re- closure of the Churchill Avenue difficult to construct: the need
stricted left turn on Embarcade- crossing,” Kellerman wrote. for Caltrain to approve design
ro at Cowper during peak traffic
hours. During these times, cars
would be rerouted to Waverley,
Jarwala said.
Allen Edwards, who also lives
near Churchill, took an opposite
view and said Churchill should
be closed. Shutting Churchill to
exceptions, a construction pe-
riod that would stretch for lon-
ger than seven years, the need
to pump groundwater out of the
Online This Week
These and other news stories were posted on Palo Alto Online
Some residents feel the study traffic, Edwards wrote, would al- tunnel and, most notably, a price throughout the week. For longer versions, go to www.PaloAlto
didn’t go far enough. Numer- low him to “use the intersection tag currently pegged at between Online.com/news.
ous Professorville and Univer- without risking a five-minute $2.5 billion and $3.8 billion.
sity South residents attended the delay.” Etty Mercurio, a consultant Stanford part of admissions investigation
Wednesday meeting and submit- “We have friends there who with the firm Aecom, said the The U.S. Department of Education has launched a preliminary
ted letters to the council, urging would love to have Churchill tunnel would also require the investigation into Stanford University and seven other universi-
members to further study the closed at the tracks so that they city to completely reconfigure ties across the country involved in the $25 million admissions
impacts of Churchill’s closure on can get the traffic out of their the Embarcadero Road overpass scandal that led to the indictments of 50 people that were an-
nearby streets. Emerson Street neighborhood,” Edwards wrote. and build a new underground nounced on March 12, according to news reports this week.
resident David Epstein wrote to On Wednesday, residents had train station at California Ave-
(Posted March 27, 12:54 p.m.)
the council earlier this month a chance to see two different nue, which would require mining
that he and his neighbors are concepts for closing Churchill to about 60 feet below the surface. Dog rescued from carport fire
“most interested in safety and cars and adding a pedestrian and In addition to the closure of An open carport caught on fire in Palo Alto’s Downtown
maintaining a residential envi- bicycle pathway. Under the first Churchill and the citywide tunnel, North neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, prompting resi-
ronment on our street.” alternative, the pathway would go the council is also considering a dent evacuations and the rescue of a poodle from a neighboring
“It is already straining both just under the Caltrain tracks. In tunnel just in south Palo Alto; a
home, police and fire officials said. (Posted March 27, 2:57 p.m.)
goals with many cars speed- the second, which proved some- trench or viaduct for trains at the
ing through our neighborhood what more popular, the pathway Meadow Drive and Charleston Supe reorganizes special-ed department
along with bikes and pedestri- is lengthened so that it extends Road crossings; and a “hybrid” Palo Alto Unified School District’s special-education depart-
ans crossing the street at the underneath Alma Street as well. option that involves lowering ment will now be housed within educational services, as most
Embarcadero/Emerson St. in- The community meeting didn’t roads and raising tracks at these districts do, with a series of reorganized positions, Superinten-
tersection,” Epstein wrote to the net any new ideas or decisions. two southernmost crossings.
dent Don Austin announced Tuesday. (Posted March 27, 9:02 a.m.)
council. “Before and after school Rather, as City Manager Ed The citywide tunnel option,
in particular, we have a constant Shikada told the crowd, it was which is one of the most popular Tourist may have exposed locals to measles
stream of bikes and students a chance to get residents’ feed- and most expensive alternatives, An international traveler recently found to have measles vis-
coming from and going to Paly. back on what he called a “work continues to generate a broad ited at least six public spaces in the Palo Alto area earlier this
The mix of heavy traffic of cars, in progress.” spectrum of opinions, with some month, leading the Santa Clara County Public Health Depart-
trucks and students is bound to For the council, this progress calling it the least disruptive
ment to warn the community that they may be at risk of getting
sick if they’re not vaccinated against the disease. (Posted March
26, 1:55 p.m.)
Judge rules in Gunn harassment case
A judge ruled on Tuesday that a female Gunn High School
student and the male student found to have sexually harassed
her should both have access to the school robotics team, but with
more hours and scheduling preference given to the girl. (Posted
March 26, 2:55 p.m.)
Stanford junior dies in fall
A 20-year-old Stanford University junior who graduated from
Palo Alto high school, has died in Spain, apparently falling
while on a hike with other Stanford undergraduates studying in
Europe, the vice provost of student affairs posted on the univer-
sity’s website Saturday. (Posted March 25, 9:10 a.m.)
IRS scams strike again
As the tax deadline looms, Palo Alto police are warning resi-
dents of scammers posing as agents from the Internal Revneue
Service trying to dupe money from taxpayers. (Posted March 25,
4:06 p.m.)
Redwood forest saved from development
Nearly 1,000 acres of redwood forest in the Santa Cruz
Mountains will be permanently protected from development
Courtesy city of Palo Alto
and future logging thanks to an unusual partnership between
the Peninsula Open Space Trust and Big Creek Lumber. (Posted
March 26, 9:49 a.m.)
This rendering shows the second option for a potential underpass for pedestrians and bicyclists at Want to get news briefs emailed to you every weekday?
Churchill Avenue. Under this option, the passage would stretch under Alma Street and the Caltrain Sign up for Express, our daily e-edition.
Go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com to sign up.
corridor after the rail crossing is closed to cars.
Page 8 • March 29, 2019 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • March 29, 2019 • Page 9
CityView
A round-up
City Council
of Palo Alto government action this week
The council did not meet this week.
Transitions
Births, marriages and deaths
Bruno Weiser George Comstock joined the young Potter Instru-
Bruno Weiser, longtime resi- George Comstock, who man- ment Company as a vice presi-
Board of Education (March 26) dent of Palo Alto, died on March aged to fit several lifetimes of dent of research and engineer-
A-G: The board discussed completion rates for the A-G graduation 12. He was 93. achievements into his 95 years, ing, working on a random-access
requirements. Action: None Born in 1925 in Skotschau, Po- died on March 11 at his home in memory system made from strips
Magical Bridge funding: The board approved a resolution accepting land, to Alois and Olga Weiser, Portola Valley. of tape on a steel frame, and on
funding from Santa Clara County for a Magical Bridge playground at El
Carmelo Elementary School. Yes: Unanimous he met the love of his life, Edith, A celebration of his life will be the tape drives used in the massive
PAUSD Promise: The board discussed the district office operations in Salzburg, Austria, in 1950. held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27, early computers.
section of the superintendent’s “PAUSD Promise” plan. Action: None They married in 1952 and emi- at Valley Presbyterian Church, 945 In 1969 Comstock co-founded
grated to San Francisco in 1956, Portola Road in Portola Valley. and served as president of Diablo
Parks and Recreation Commission where they formed many close A pioneer in the computer in- Systems, which made interchange-
(March 26) friendships. dustry, Comstock served as mayor able cartridge disk drives and dai-
Urban forest: The commission heard an update on the Urban Forest
In 1968 the family moved to of Portola Valley during his one sy-wheel printers. Diablo was pur-
Master Plan. Action: None Palo Alto. He established Bruno term on the Town Council and chased by Xerox Corp. three years
Sea-level Rise: The commission discussed the city’s recently adopted Weiser Dental Laboratory in held a seat on the Architectural later for $30 million.
sea-level rise policy. Action: None Menlo Park, from which he re- and Site Control Commission for In 1977 Comstock founded com-
tired in the 1990s. Although he eight years. puter company Durango Systems.
Planning and Transportation Commission had lost one leg below the knee Anne Hillman, his wife of 38 From 1986 to 1992, he worked for
(March 27) as a motorcycle messenger in years, said Comstock “was always startup Network General Corp,
Parking: The commission voted to prioritize a petition from Old Palo Alto World War II, he enjoyed spend- seeking new experiences, new ad- which made diagnostic tools for
for a new Residential Preferential Permit Parking program. Yes: Alcheck, ing time with family and friends ventures, new places, new learn- local area networks.
Lauing, Riggs, Summa, Templeton Recused: Roohparvar, Waldfogel in the mountain cabin he built in ing. I got to discover so many new Hillman and Comstock met
Dealership: The commission supported a zone change at 1700 and 1730 Cold Springs, California, where things with him.” when she was a management con-
Embarcadero Road to enable the demolition of Ming’s Restaurant and the the activities included fishing, Comstock was a “pilot, inventor sultant for Durango Systems and
Audi service building and construction of a new two-story dealership for
Mercedes and Audi and a detached car wash facility. Yes: Alcheck, Riggs,
swimming in the lake, and water- with 40 issued patents, entrepre- knew on their first date they were
Roohparvar, Waldfogel No: Lauing, Summa, Templeton skiing and snow-skiing. He was neur, friend and ardent steward of meant for each other. Two years af-
Wireless: The commission supported a staff recommendation to revise also a regular at the Rinconada the land” who also was a skilled ter meeting, they married. Hillman
local rules on wireless-facility applications to make them consistent with Pool, swimming morning laps woodworker and loved sailing, and Comstock moved to Ladera in
new FCC regulations. The commission also supported creating a working there for many years. motorcycle riding and outdoor ac- 1980 and Portola Valley in 1990.
group to study the issue further and to re-evaluate the city’s policy in a He loved to dance with Edith, tivities including camping, canoe- Among the passions Hillman
year. Yes: Alcheck, Lauing, Riggs, Summa, Templeton, Waldfogel Absent:
Roohparvar and together they went to many ing and cross-country skiing, she and Comstock shared was an ad-
events in San Francisco and Palo said. He also loved sharing those vocacy for the environment, par-
LET’S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk Alto where they could waltz to- activities with friends and family ticularly sustainable building. He
about the issues at Town Square at PaloAltoOnline.com gether. He enjoyed traveling, in- and teaching and mentoring others. joined the board of the Land Insti-
cluding retirement travels with An avid reader, Comstock read tute and was tireless in encourag-
Edith in a camping van, seeing aloud to Hillman every night for ing Portola Valley to adopt regu-
most of the United States and sev- 40 years from books including bi- lations promoting sustainability,
eral cruises and tours of Europe ographies, the classics and authors and he championed adding more
Susan Marie Hall as well as Mexico, China and
other countries. The couple made
from William Shakespeare to
Wallace Stegner. In recent years,
affordable housing in the town.
A perpetual teacher, he started
October 19, 1940 – March 14, 2019 new friends wherever they went. Comstock began a poetry group at the popular annual “Flight Night”
He was known by family and Rosener House Adult Day Services in Portola Valley, a nighttime
Susan Marie Hall passed away friends as a hard worker and a in Menlo Park, giving participants aerial display of model planes that
on Thursday March 14 at her Palo kind and optimistic man who al- and himself a way to voice their drew hundreds, offering hands-on
Alto home from complications of ways had an interesting story to feelings about their disabilities. learning in science, technology,
Multiple System Atrophy (a form tell, a song to play on the harmon- Hillman said her husband “never engineering and math, and flight-
of Parkinson’s disease). She was 78. ica or a beer to share. His family stopped inquiring into philosophies related exhibitions.
Susan was born in Bakersfield, says he will be long remembered of all kinds in a lifelong search for Comstock is survived by wife
CA. to Jeanette and Eric Stone for his strength of character, won- meaning and greater understand- Anne Hillman (also known by her
and spent her childhood years in derful laugh and generosity. ing.” He attended a designer biol- professional name of Patricia H.
Delano. She was a member of Chi He is survived by his wife, Edith, ogy class at Stanford University Gill); his sister, Mel Goertz (Herb)
Omega sorority and graduated of Palo Alto; daughter, Lorna Nau- until his last month of life. of Vermont; children, Charles
gle of Tracy; son, Reinhard Weiser Born on Jan. 9, 1924, in Canan- (Betty) Comstock of Oregon, Les-
from U.C. Berkeley, majoring in
of San Mateo; four grandchildren; daigua, New York, to Florence lie Comstock of Washington, Rob-
English literature. two great granddaughters; and his Rossling and George E. Comstock, ert (Barbara) Comstock of Pleas-
She married Tim Hall, lived in sister-in-law, Elly Weiser, of North George was 9 years old when a anton, Kathryn Gill of Topanga,
Los Altos and had two children. Vancouver, Canada. friend taught him to design, build California, and Jeff Gill (Nancy
The marriage ended in divorce. Susan moved to Palo Alto, The family especially wants to and fly model airplanes. He co- Chung), of Brea, California; sev-
worked at HP for several years, before accepting the job as church thank Pathways Home Health & published a neighborhood news- en grandchildren and one great-
secretary at Palo Alto First Congregational Church where she Hospice of Sunnyvale and Com- paper at 13. grandchild. He was preceded in
served for 18 years until retiring in 2003. plete Senior Living of San Mateo After receiving bachelor’s de- death by his first wife, Kathryn
In 1999 Susan married Ralph Cahn. They had nearly 20 happy for their care and support. A cel- grees in mechanical and electri- Peddle Comstock, a photographer,
years together, traveling in the United States, enjoying home, ebration of Weiser’s life will be cal engineering in 1945 and 1948 painter and musician.
even as her health declined when she was first diagnosed with held in June. Memorial donations from the Worchester Polytechnic The family suggests that memo-
Parkinson’s in 2011. may be sent to the Alzheimers Institute and working for several rial donations be made to Rosener
Organization, 225 N. Michigan companies on projects that failed House in Menlo Park, The Land
Susan was an accomplished folk dancer and Dixieland Jazz Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Illinois, to spark his imagination, Com- Institute, the Computer History
fan. She loved theater, a wide range of music, cinema and was a 60601 or Pathways Home Health stock jumped at the chance to Museum, Peninsula Open Space
life-long reader. & Hospice, 585 N. Mary Ave., move into the nascent computer Trust (POST), or any charity of
Susan is survived by her husband Ralph; her children Betsy Sunnyvale, 94085. industry in the mid-1950s. He choice. Q
(Sandy) of San Diego; Tim (Dena) of Seaside; Ralph’s children
Jennifer (David Fisher) of Brownsville TX; Julia Elman (Ian)
of Santa Cruz; a combined ten grandchildren; three great- PAID ADVERTISEMENT
CORRECTION:
grandchildren; and her sister Mary Ann Olson (Jim) of
Carmichael CA.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on June 8,
2019 at the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, 1985 In last Friday’s “You Need to Act Now” ad, the contact information
Louis Road. Donations in Susan’s name may be made to Brain for State Senator Jerry Hill should have been sd13.senate.ca.gov
Support Network, P.O. Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026; or First
Congregational Church of Palo Alto.
and the Contact Me link.
PAID OBITUARY
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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • March 29, 2019 • Page 11Spectrum
Editorial
The perils of state action
For Dems, state pre-emption of local zoning
carries growing political risk
S
tate legislators who are pushing for new laws forcing cit-
ies to allow dense, multi-family housing developments in Editorials, letters and opinions
single-family neighborhoods threaten to divide the state’s
Democratic voters and may open the door to political challenges
of incumbents even in Democratic strongholds like the Bay Area
and Peninsula.
The growing split and increasing animosity between local
Letters schools are becoming increas-
ingly popular?
Besides spending time dis-
powerful is guilty? That’s how
your editorial reads from begin-
ning to end.
leaders and state legislators over how far the state should go to cussing the financial and loca- Don’t we all know by now that
pre-empt local zoning are pitting traditional allies against each Rail redesign funding tions arguments involved, one we can’t judge the many by the
other and threatening to move us further from viable solutions Editor,
It’s been painful watching would hope members of the actions of the few?
to the housing crisis. school district board are trying In our current times of politi-
As the Weekly’s reporting by Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner our good friends and neighbors
in Palo Alto dither about grade to understand why this disparity cal stress, we need to hear from
shows, housing advocates are responding to a long history of cities is present. more measured voices. As such,
failing to take needed action to develop new housing while ap- separation for Caltrain. The
community wants a tunnel, the Richard R. Babb your editorial disappoints.
proving vast amounts of new commercial development. The result, Portola Road, Portola Valley Greg Loy
almost all agree, has been to create a deepening shortage of housing council thinks it’s too expen-
sive. So why doesn’t the council Arbutus Avenue,
units, fuel unsustainable increases in housing costs and accelerate Palo Alto
the loss of affordable housing for low- and medium-income workers. take the community at its word Appreciation for Paly
But the solutions are far from clear. and put a broad-based tax on
the ballot in November to fund special-ed teachers
The most visible and controversial of the legislative proposals, Editor, Not so audacious
SB 50 by San Francisco Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener, seeks a tunnel? Editor,
If the neighborhood associa- Ms. Oakson and Mr. Hall are
to undo the historic local autonomy that cities enjoy over land-use very nice. Ms. Oakson teach- As a high school student who
decisions. As only one of more than 200 bills pertaining to hous- tions and others who oppose al- has suffered the consequences of
ternative solutions get out and es Rise and Grind cafe and a
ing introduced in the state legislature this session, SB 50 would smoothie business and lunch- academic pressures from family
force cities to allow multi-story, high-density apartment buildings work to pass the tax and it pass- and peers, it does not come off as
es, then the council will have the order service. Mr. Hall teaches
in R-1 zoned residential areas near public transit with no limits on functional academics and lan- a surprise that some families are
the number of units and no parking requirements. Up and down money it needs and proof of the bribing colleges and admission
community’s commitment. guage skills.
the Peninsula, the proposed half-mile radius around train stations We went to the Mountain View officers. In my opinion, the tra-
would open up large areas currently occupied by single-family If not, the council can proceed dition of wealthier families brib-
with a more affordable alterna- Public Library with Ms. Oak-
homes to conversion to higher-density housing. son when I was a freshman and ing schools has always existed,
Defenders of local control, while agreeing that cities are respon- tive. In a city where the median and everyone knows it. In Palo
home price is over $3 million, sophomore. This year, Ms. Oak-
sible for creating the problem, are organizing against the proposed son had all the teachers and stu- Alto, a rather affluent suburb,
state mandates, and the rhetoric on both sides threatens to polarize the money can certainly be it is inevitable that some fami-
found to pay for a tunnel if that’s dents tell me “Happy Birthday”
rather than shape practical solutions. There is little question that at lunch, and she organized ev- lies will use their connections
passage of measures like SB 50 would trigger legal challenges and what people say they want. and wealth to set their kids on a
James Kempf eryone to sing “Happy Birthday”
a voter initiative to overturn them and re-establish local zoning to me after we were done eating. higher path of success.
powers. Foxborough Drive, The recent media attention on
Mountain View And on that day, Jan. 17, Mr.
To avoid that outcome, legislators must work with local govern- Hall saw me and said “Hey, this topic is only temporal and
ment leaders to craft incentives, not pre-emptive one-size-fits-all birthday boy!” will be forgotten quickly, as
mandates, for the construction of needed housing and, most of all, Charter schools vs. I will never forget this. many families will just pay off
funding for affordable-housing development. Aarun Visuthikraisee the fines and “shame” that ac-
The current effort to impose a solution on California cities ignores public schools Futures Program senior, Palo companied their actions. And I
the complicated factors that have created the problem and attempts Editor, believe that these wealthy elites,
Congratulations to Elena Kad- Alto High School
to solve it without addressing the underlying economic realities. Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto who indulge in these actions,
First, focusing only on increasing housing production of market- vany for her thorough report on don’t actually repent for their
rate units without parallel regulation or incentives to reduce new the charter school versus public actions.
commercial development addresses only one side of the equation. school system controversy in the A sweeping The main question that this
As long as communities are allowed to approve new commercial local Ravenswood School Dis-
trict (March 22). generalization topic poses is whether or not
development and export the problem of housing workers to other Editor, it is morally wrong for parents
cities, we are destined to never stabilize housing prices. State ac- A high priority for most par- to use their abilities and hard
ents is the education of their Regarding your editorial titled
tion must impose limits on non-residential development and tie it “The audacity of privilege” earned money to create a better
to housing production, and housing impact fees should be raised to children. The article’s graphs academic standing for their kids.
point out that the charter schools (March 22). Your subhead says
create funds for affordable housing. “College-admission bribery Some might say that it is unfair,
Second, new high-density market-rate housing development, such clearly outperform the public but after deep reflection and
schools as measured by both scandal exposes sense of invin-
as what has been built in Mountain View on San Antonio Road and cibility and entitlement of the contemplation: Is it truly unfair?
El Camino Real, results in rents only affordable to high-income math and English test scores. Is Edward Zhang
it any wonder that the charter wealthy and powerful.” Really,
earners. So while Mountain View is far ahead of cities like Palo everybody who is wealthy and Byron Street, Palo Alto
Alto and Menlo Park in zoning for more housing, it’s not address-
ing the highest priority need for housing affordable to lower-income
workers.
Instead of trying to micromanage zoning in cities around the WHAT DO YOU THINK?
state, legislators should be focusing on funding strategies that would
create incentives for cities to attract and approve below-market The Palo Alto Weekly encourages comments on our coverage
rate housing for service workers, seniors and other lower-income or on issues of local interest.
residents.
Wiener and those who support his legislation are correct that the
housing shortage is driving working families out of the Bay Area, Do you view SB 50 as an
gentrifying communities like East Palo Alto and pushing many to
homelessness or to exorbitantly long commutes. But what cities with overreach, a much-needed
high land values need are financing solutions to enable significant
public funding of higher density affordable-housing development by
policy or something else?
nonprofit housing entities and incentives to utilize existing publicly
owned land such as municipal parking lots. Submit letters to the editor of up to 300 words to letters@paweekly.com.
SB 50’s zoning pre-emption strategy is a divisive distraction. Wie- Submit guest opinions of 1,000 words to editor@paweekly.com. Include your
name, address and daytime phone number so we can reach you.
ner and his colleagues would be wise to refocus their attention on We reserve the right to edit contributions for length, objectionable content,
the financing strategies and incentives to achieve the housing we libel and factual errors known to us. Anonymous letters will generally not be
need most, and on enacting laws that restrict commercial develop- accepted. Submitting a letter to the editor or guest opinion constitutes a granting
ment in cities that are not meeting the housing needs of their com- of permission to the Palo Alto Weekly and Embarcadero Media to also publish it
online, including in our online archives and as a post on Town Square.
munities. Otherwise their well-intended efforts are destined to come For more information, contact Editorial Assistant Cierra Bailey at cbailey@
back to bite them in the next election. Q paweekly.com or 650-223-6526 or Editor Jocelyn Dong at editor@paweekly.com.
Page 12 • March 29, 2019 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.comYou can also read
