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