AGENDA PACKET
Town of Atherton
City Council
SEPTEMBER 09, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING – STUDY SESSION
4:00 PM
Council Chambers
80 Fair Oaks Lane
Atherton, CA 94027
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SPECIAL MEETING STUDY SESSION
ROLL CALL – Lane, Lewis, Widmer, Vice Mayor DeGolia, Mayor Holland PUBLIC COMMENT – Public Comments can be emailed directly to [email protected]
As a Special Meeting, this portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Council on any matter on the Agenda. Speakers’ time is limited to three minutes. Speakers may also speak when the item appears on the Agenda during the meeting. State law prohibits the Council from acting on items not listed on the Agenda except by special action of the City Council under specified circumstances. The Mayor may, at the Mayor’s discretion, restrict or grant additional speaker time based on such considerations as agenda length, number of speakers, complexity of the item, or looming threat of loss of quorum. Please refer to the footnote at the end of the posted agenda for additional notice regarding public comments.
ACTION ITEMS
STUDY SESSION
1. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT A RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING PROGRAM ON DE BELL DRIVE AND ON MAPLE LEAF WAY
(BETWEEN MIDDLEFIELD ROAD AND OAK GROVE AVENUE)
Report: STEVEN D. MCCULLEY, CHIEF OF POLICE
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council consider adoption of a Resolution establishing a Residential Permit Parking Program on Maple Leaf Way and on De Bell Drive (between Middlefield Road and Oak Grove Avenue), restricting on‑street parking to residents and their guests with a valid permit Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding federal Meeting Agenda Packet – September 09, 2026
footnote at the end of the posted agenda for additional notice regarding public comments.
ACTION ITEMS
STUDY SESSION
1. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT A RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING PROGRAM ON DE BELL DRIVE AND ON MAPLE LEAF WAY
(BETWEEN MIDDLEFIELD ROAD AND OAK GROVE AVENUE)
Report: STEVEN D. MCCULLEY, CHIEF OF POLICE
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council consider adoption of a Resolution establishing a Residential Permit Parking Program on Maple Leaf Way and on De Bell Drive (between Middlefield Road and Oak Grove Avenue), restricting on‑street parking to residents and their guests with a valid permit Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding federal and state holidays.
Staff further recommends installing "No Through Traffic" warning signs on De Bell Drive to help discourage cut‑through traffic between Oak Grove Avenue and Middlefield Road.
Description: This item concerns discussion by Council of a Residential Parking Permit program for De Bell Drive and on parts of Maple Leaf Way (between Middlefield Road and Oak Grove Avenue), encompassing the Maple Manor neighborhood.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS
ADJOURN
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
If you challenge a Town zoning, planning, or any other decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this agenda, or in written correspondence delivered to the Town at, or prior to, the public hearing. Judicial review of any Town administrative decision may be had only if a petition is filed with the court not later than the 90th day following the date upon which the decision becomes final. Judicial review of environmental determinations may be subject to a shorter time period.
Copies of all staff reports and documents subject to disclosure that relate to each item of business referred to on the agenda are available for public inspection by 5:00 p.m. the Friday before each regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 7520500. Notification of 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. (29 CRF
35.104 ADA Title II)
Public Comments:
The Town of Atherton Council and Committee or Commission meetings are a limited public forum, and all public comment must relate to something that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council or Committees. If comments do not relate to the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council or Committee, we will stop the comment and a warning may be provided. If the comment continues to be outside of the subject matter jurisdiction the speaker will be stopped, and we will move on to the next speaker. Speakers found in violation of this rule of procedure may be removed from the meeting.
Meeting Agenda Packet – September 09, 2026
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35.104 ADA Title II)
Public Comments:
The Town of Atherton Council and Committee or Commission meetings are a limited public forum, and all public comment must relate to something that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council or Committees. If comments do not relate to the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council or Committee, we will stop the comment and a warning may be provided. If the comment continues to be outside of the subject matter jurisdiction the speaker will be stopped, and we will move on to the next speaker. Speakers found in violation of this rule of procedure may be removed from the meeting.
Meeting Agenda Packet – September 09, 2026
Item No. 1
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – ACTION ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
FROM: STEVEN D. MCCULLEY, CHIEF OF POLICE
DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT A
RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING PROGRAM ON DE BELL
DRIVE AND ON MAPLE LEAF WAY (BETWEEN MIDDLEFIELD
ROAD AND OAK GROVE AVENUE).
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council consider adoption of a Resolution establishing a Residential Permit Parking Program on Maple Leaf Way and on De Bell Drive (between Middlefield Road and Oak Grove Avenue), restricting on‑street parking to residents and their guests with a valid permit Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding federal and state holidays.
Staff further recommends installing "No Through Traffic" warning signs on De Bell Drive to help discourage cut‑through traffic between Oak Grove Avenue and Middlefield Road.
BACKGROUND
The Maple Manor neighborhood, which includes De Bell Drive and Maple Leaf Way, is located immediately adjacent to Menlo‑Atherton High School. Due to limited on‑campus parking and a large student population, overflow student parking routinely spills into the neighborhood.
Residents report that this has resulted in:
• Congestion during school arrival and dismissal periods • Reduced visibility for pedestrians
• Narrowed travel lanes
• Difficulty for emergency vehicle access
• Damage to landscaping and private property
On May 4, 2026, Maple Manor residents submitted a petition requesting a resident‑only permit parking program for De Bell Drive and Maple Leaf Way (attached).
Residential Parking Permit Program September 9, 2026
At its May 26, 2026, meeting, the Transportation, Bike, and Pedestrian Safety Committee reviewed the issue. Commander Larsen presented resident concerns and summarized observed traffic and parking conditions. Residents described ongoing safety issues, including:
• Reduced roadway width caused by vehicles parked along both sides of the street • Emergency access challenges due to constrained travel lanes • Near‑miss collisions involving pedestrians and vehicles • Property and landscaping damage associated with student parking Staff recommended an incremental approach focused on education and enforcement prior to establishing a formal permit program. As part of this pilot effort, portable "No Student Parking" A‑frame signs were deployed on May 28, 2026, on both streets (see attached image).
ANALYSIS
Street Geometry and Safety Considerations:
De Bell Drive and Maple Leaf Way are approximately 18 feet wide, providing roughly 9 feet of travel lane in each direction. Vegetation has grown up to the edge of pavement in many areas resulting in limited off‑street parking being available. Due to the encroaching vegetation, on‑street parking significantly constrains roadway width. When vehicles park along both sides, the remaining travel lane is insufficient for safe two‑way movement and may impede emergency response vehicles.
Effectiveness of Temporary Measures:
The temporary "No Student Parking" signs, combined with proactive officer engagement, have been effective in reducing student parking. However, staff anticipate that overflow parking pressures will continue due to the high school's enrollment and limited on‑campus capacity. A resident‑only permit program is the next logical step to ensure long‑term, predictable management of neighborhood parking conditions.
Cut‑Through Traffic:
During morning peak hours, westbound congestion on Oak Grove Avenue leads some drivers to use De Bell Drive as a cut‑through route to Middlefield Road. While "No Through Traffic" signs are non‑enforceable, they serve as a visual deterrent and reinforce neighborhood expectations regarding local‑access use.
PROPOSED PROGRAM DETAILS
The affected streets would be De Bell Drive (Oak Grove Avenue to Middlefield Road) and Maple Leaf Way. The permit parking program would be limited to Resident‑Only and Guest Permit Parking Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., excluding federal and state holidays. The program would be placard based similar to the program initiated on Ashfield and Maple near the Town Center. Signage would be installed at the two primary entrances to the Maple Manor neighborhood
September 9, 2026
and enforcement would begin following installation of the signage. Enforcement would predominately be complaint based.
Staff engaged with Maple Manor residents through the resident petition submitted May 4, 2026, direct communication with residents before, during and after the temporary signage pilot period, and public discussion at the May 26, 2026, Transportation, Bike, and Pedestrian Safety Committee meeting. Residents expressed strong support for a formal permit program.
If Council adopts the Resolution:
• Staff will finalize permit design and distribution procedures • Permanent signage will be installed
• Enforcement will begin following a short public‑notification period • Staff will monitor program effectiveness and return to Council with adjustments if needed
FISCAL IMPACT
Minimal short-term fiscal impact. Signage and permit placards can be accommodated within existing Police and Public Works budgets. Long-term program costs and staffing demands are currently undetermined and will be reassessed following program implementation.
POLICY CONSIDERATION
Adoption of this resolution is consistent with Council goals of enhancing neighborhood livability, supporting local mobility, and ensuring equitable access to Town services. Authority is provided by California Vehicle Code §22507 and Atherton Municipal Code Chapter 10.16.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
Goal E – Strengthen Community Engagement and Transparency Goal F – Be a Forward-Thinking, Well-Managed, Well-Planned Town
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours before 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 District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has been before the Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee
Residential Parking Permit Program September 9, 2026
ATTACHMENTS
1. Petition from Maple Manor residents in support of permit parking.
2. Photo of temporary “No Student Parking” signs.
3. Resolution Residential Parking Program De Bell & Maple Leaf
Attachment 1
Attachment 1
Attachment 1
Attachment 1
Attachment 3
TOWN OF ATHERTON
RESOLUTION NO. [2026-XX]
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ATHERTON IMPLEMENTING PERMIT PARKING ONLY ON DE BELL Drive AND MAPLE LEAF WAY BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:00 AM AND 3:00 PM, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Atherton is authorized by the California Vehicle Code (CVC 22507) and the Town Municipal Code (Chapter 10.16) to regulate on-street parking in order to promote public safety and the general welfare of its residents; and WHEREAS, residents of De Bell Drive and Maple Leaf Way have expressed concerns about non-resident vehicles parking in their neighborhood for extended periods, creating congestion, reducing available parking for residents, and impacting quality of life; and WHEREAS, the Town has conducted a parking analysis and public outreach with affected residents, and has determined that restricting parking to permit-only during business hours is warranted and appropriate; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council finds that the implementation of permit-only parking on De Bell Drive and Maple Leaf Way during designated hours is in the public interest and will help alleviate parking impacts in the neighborhood.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Atherton as follows:
Permit Parking Established: Parking on De Bell Drive and Maple Leaf Way Road shall be restricted to vehicles displaying a valid residential or guest parking permit issued by the Town.
Hours of Restriction: The permit-only parking restriction shall be in effect from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding Town-recognized holidays.
Permit Issuance: Residential and guest permits shall be issued by the Town to qualifying residents in accordance with procedures and criteria established by the Town Manager or their designee.
Enforcement: Vehicles parked on De Bell Drive and Maple Leaf Way during restricted hours without a valid permit shall be subject to citation and/or towing in accordance with Town Code and state law.
Attachment 3
Signage: Appropriate signage indicating the permit parking restriction shall be installed on De Bell Drive and Maple Leaf Way prior to the enforcement of this resolution.
Effective Date: This resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption, with enforcement to commence following the installation of required signage and notice to residents.
I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the City Council of the Town of Atherton at a Regular Meeting thereof held on this 9th day of September, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Members:
ABSENT: Council Members:
ABSTAIN: Council Members:
Stacy Holland, Mayor
ATTEST:
Anthony W. Suber, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mona Ebrahimi, City Attorney