Item No. 10
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – REGULAR AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
FROM: GABRIELA RUIZ, PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATE ENGINEER
VIA: ROBERT OVADIA, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: JUNE 17, 2026
SUBJECT: THE TOWN CENTER/LIBRARY AREA PARKING AND
DINKELSPIEL STATION LANE PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY
EVALUATIONS
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council review the results of the Parking Study for Town Center/Library Complex and Vicinity and the Dinkelspiel Station Lane Pedestrian Pathway evaluation; and provide relevant feedback and direction to staff regarding potential parking area and pedestrian walkway improvements.
BACKGROUND
The FY 2025/26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget included an analysis of parking in and around the Town Center/Library complex as well as the Town Center & Library Circulation Project – Holbrook-Palmer Park Connection to review and analyze pedestrian connectivity option and traffic adjustments around Town Center to facilitate access and mobility between the Town Center and Holbrook-Palmer Park, along Dinkelspiel Station Lane. The City Council, at their meeting on January 21, 2026, approved a professional services agreement with TJKM Transportation Consultants to conduct the evaluations.
The existing parking lot at the Town Center and Library Complex currently has 98 parking spaces for vehicles and 3 spaces for motorcycles. The Complex experiences recurring parking challenges due to the success of the Town Center and Library. The parking demand exceeds the capacity of the existing parking lot and has impacted the residential streets around the Complex. To address these concerns, the Town has implemented a permit parking program for Ashfield Road and Maple Avenue and encourages visitors to park at Holbrook Palmer Park, where there is ample parking.
Currently, Dinkelspiel Station Lane does not have a dedicated walkway or sidewalk between Maple Avenue and Watkins Avenue to facilitate pedestrian mobility between the Town Center Complex and Holbrook-Palmer Park. Due to the limited right-of-way along Dinkelspiel Station Town Center/Library Parking and
Dinkelspiel Station Lane Pedestrian Walkway
JUNE 17, 2026
Lane, consideration of one-way traffic along area streets may need to be evaluated to facilitate such improvement.
The study was authorized to evaluate parking needs, and improvements at the Town Center as well as to identify how pedestrian facilities can be implemented along Dinkelspiel Station Lane to enhance safety and mobility for pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic.
ANALYSIS
Parking Study
The Parking Study evaluated the current parking supply and demand for the following:
• Town Center/Library Complex Parking Lot
• Street parking along Watkins Avenue, Walnut Avenue, Maple Avenue, Ashfield Road, and Fair Oaks Lane; all between El Camino Real and Dinkelspiel Station Lane • Street parking along Lloyden Drive between Fair Oaks Lane and Belleau Avenue The Town Center Parking Lot inventory is shown in Table 1:
In March 2026, a survey was conducted to assess the parking needs of the Town employees, Mademoiselle Collette café and Library staff. The net driving demand for employees across all departments is approximately 40 spaces on a typical weekday, as shown in Table 2. Parking demand associated with the Mademoiselle Collette café includes at least two employee vehicles during peak hours, delivery trucks twice a day, and a customer count ranging between 100 and 200 on weekdays (including overlap with Library demand). Parking demand for Library patronage is difficult to accurately access; however, door sensor counts shows Mondays and Thursdays as the most visited days with around 500 entries per day. In addition, the Library maintains a full 7-day schedule every week of various programs and events. The most recurring program is Storytime, which averages around 100 attendees.
Town Center/Library Parking and
Dinkelspiel Station Lane Pedestrian Walkway
JUNE 17, 2026
Parking Data was collected for Tuesday-Thursday, March 3-5, 2026, from 9am to 5pm. Manual counts were collected every hour for a total of 8 hours (Table 3). The key findings from the parking occupancy data:
• Regular spaces routinely hit critical capacity
• Peak demand is sharply concentrated in the 10am-1pm window • Afternoon recovery is consistent
• Demand is consistent across all three weekdays
• EV charging infrastructure meets the demand
• Handicap and accessible spaces remain largely available Town Center/Library Parking and
Dinkelspiel Station Lane Pedestrian Walkway
JUNE 17, 2026
Parking occupancy data was also collected on streets in the immediate vicinity of the Town Center for the following blocks:
• Watkins Avenue, Walnut Avenue, Maple Avenue, and Ashfield Road; all between El Camino Real and Dinkelspiel Station Lane (March 3-5, Tuesday-Thursday, 9am-5pm) • Fair Oaks Lane between El Camino Real and Dinkelspiel Station Lane (April 7-9, TuesdayThursday, 9am-5pm) • Lloyden Drive between Fair Oaks Lane and Belleau Avenue (April 7-9, TuesdayThursday, 9am-5pm) Town Center/Library Parking and
Dinkelspiel Station Lane Pedestrian Walkway
JUNE 17, 2026
The key findings from the on-street parking assessment are as follows:
• Low overall utilization
• Peak demand occurs mid-morning
• Walnut Avenue has high demand
• Permit-restricted streets stay lightly used
• Limited to no spillover from Town Center Lot
Study found that the current parking enforcement policies and outcomes are appropriate and consistent with other communities with the characteristics and demographics similar to Atherton.
No changes are recommended at this time.
Potential Parking Lot Improvements:
Approximately 17 additional parking spaces can be added to the parking lot in the Town Center/Library complex by paving unimproved areas and restriping existing parking spots with narrower spaces. Additionally, a new pedestrian crossing is proposed to accommodate safer pedestrian crossing from the railroad track side to the Town Center/Library side. The preliminary estimate for design and construction is approximately $85,000.
Additionally, the Study recommends addressing the parking conditions in a multi-phase approach over the next several years. Phase I will include parking lot improvements and collect parking data six months after the additional of 17 spaces to determine if demand is better met. If not, Phase II may include consideration of rescheduling of Library programs to non-peak hours or relocation to the Holbrook Palmer Park. Additional alternatives could include consideration of incentives to employees for alternative parking, commuter benefit programs, flexible work schedule for employees and limited on-street parking permits for employees as well as additional analysis for the Library and café.
Dinkelspiel Station Lane Pedestrian Pathway
Holbrook-Palmer Park provides an opportunity for additional parking for the Town Center/Library Complex. The preliminary review indicates that Holbrook Palmer Park’s parking has ample spaces available during the weekdays. The Park is located off of Watkins Avenue, approximately 2,000 feet away or about 8-10 minutes walking distance from the Town Center. Two alternatives were considered for improvements along Dinkelspiel Station Lane between Maple and Watkins.
Alternative 1 – Walkway Along Dinkelspiel Station Lane
• Provide a five-foot wide pedestrian walkway for the entire length of Dinkelspiel Station Lane from Maple Avenue to Watkins Avenue
• Installation of new ADA-compliant curb ramps and truncated domes at street crossings Town Center/Library Parking and
Dinkelspiel Station Lane Pedestrian Walkway
JUNE 17, 2026
• To accommodate these improvements, relocation of a fire hydrant and a utility box at the Maple Avenue intersection and removal approximately 12 trees would be required. No parking would be permitted along Dinkelspiel Station Lane. • The preliminary cost estimate for these improvements is approximately $205,000.
Alternative 2 – Retaining Parking Spaces and Partial Walkway Along Dinkelspiel Station Lane • Retain approximately six marked parking spaces between Maple Avenue and Walnut Avenue, and restrict parking between Walnut Avenue and Watkins Avenue. • Provide a five-foot wide walkway between Walnut Avenue and Watkins Avenue with new ADA-compliant curb ramps and truncated domes
• To accommodate these improvements, relocation of a fire hydrant and a utility box at the Maple Avenue intersection and removal approximately 10 trees would be required. • The preliminary cost estimate for these improvements is approximately $145,000.
Each of the two alternatives result in different outcomes. Alternative I maximizes benefits to pedestrians and bicyclists providing safer and convenient walking and cycling environment along the two blocks of Station Lane. It results in loss of six parking spaces. Alternative II maintains parking between Maple and Walnut and adds a walkway between Walnut and Watkins. It does not improve the current walking environment between Maple and Walnut. For maximum benefit to all pedestrians and bicyclists, and to encourage more parking at the HPP Lot, Alternative I is preferred. The difference in the loss of trees and rough order of magnitude (ROM) costs for the two alternatives is not significant enough to choose one over the other.
The study also evaluated the intersection of Station Lane and Watkins Avenue, specifically related to pedestrian crossings. A key concern identified during the review is the potential for restricted visibility between southbound motorists on Watkins and pedestrians using the proposed crosswalk.
While field observations suggest that sight-distance limitations may exist, a detailed more detailed engineering evaluation is necessary to confirm the extent of the issue. This next phase of analysis would also include a more detailed assessment for the placement and visibility of pedestrian warning signs and other traffic control devices that could be accommodated. It is important to note that due to the proximity of the pedestrian crossing to the Watkins Avenue rail crossing, consultation with the California Public Utilities Commission will be needed and such consultation may limit warning devices that would detract from those associated with the rail crossing. At this time, the following improvements are recommended at this intersection:
• Installation of a new crosswalk and ADA-compliant curb ramps along Watkins, south of railroad tracks
• Removal of three (3) trees
• Installation of crosswalks related signs and traffic control devices to alert drivers along Watkins
• The estimated cost for these baseline improvements is included in the two alternatives discussed above
Town Center/Library Parking and
Dinkelspiel Station Lane Pedestrian Walkway
JUNE 17, 2026
Ultimately, the Study recommends the implementation of Alternative, providing a complete pedestrian walkway along Dinkelspiel Station Lane with the proposed crosswalk improvements at Watkins Avenue. This approach will not only benefit all pedestrians and bicyclists along Station Lane, but it will also encourage use of the Holbrook Park Parking Lot relieving the parking crunch at the Town Center.
The broader study included an evaluation of One-way traffic operations for Dinkelspiel Station Lane between Watkins and the Town Center, was contingent upon the completion of the Parking Study and a finding that a pedestrian walkway could only be added if the Town considered reducing the roadway width to accommodate the walkway. Since the Parking Study identified street improvements that can create a five-foot wide walkway along Station Lane, One-way operation analysis was not conducted.
With Council feedback and direction, staff can solicit a proposal for full design services for the outlined improvements.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are available in the FY 2025-26 Capital Improvements Program Budget. Funds for Town Center & Library Circulation Project – Holbrook-Palmer Park Connection is included in the Civic Center Master Plan Implementation Program budget in the amount of $200,000.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal B - Improve Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness • Goal E - Maintain and Improve Public Infrastructure
POLICY FOCUS
The policy focus for the Council is continuation of design and construction efforts in support of connecting the Town Center to Holbrook Palmer Park and improving safety along that corridor.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
Town Center/Library Parking and
Dinkelspiel Station Lane Pedestrian Walkway
JUNE 17, 2026
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission
ATTACHMENTS
1. Atherton Parking Study – Draft Report dated June 8, 2026
2. Town Center/Library Complex Parking Data Summary dated May 28, 2026
3. Street Parking Data Summary – dated May 28, 2026