1 Michael Gallagher
From: Steve Grimes
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 8:31 PM
To: George Rodericks
Subject: changes to Station Ln
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Hi George;
A lot of opinions floating on possible considerations to Station Lane to Watkins.
Just curious, would the Town even consider the idea of:
- closing Station Lane to Watkins to make it a walking/biking path - closing Maple to Station Lane and the library pass-through to Fair Oaks - install round-about(s), or turn-arounds at the intersection of Station Lane/Maple to allow traffic to turn around and exit the parking lot (back to Fair Oaks) and Maple (Walnut would also be 'no outlet' and would need a turn-around at the intersection with Station Lane).
This solves walking/biking safety issues with Station Lane to Watkins and the through traffic/parking problems on Maple. I understand this may create other problems and Maple/Walnut residents may not even want this...but, I would give up access to Watkins and Fair Oaks (via the parking lot) for the upside of the above. None of this would address the parking issues associated with the library and Council buildings but it would dramatically reduce the traffic through the library parking lot.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Steve
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Vandy O'Reilly
To: John Davey ; Lindsay Walker
Cc:
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 06:23:51 PM CDT
Subject: Re: changes to Station Ln
Once again, thank you so much Julie for your awareness as to Maple Ave and the thoughtful options you laid out. It seems to me that not being able to access Station Lane going towards Watkins will be a huge problem and frankly great annoyance for many of us. As for changing it back if it doesn't work out down the road, I absolutely do not see the town ever doing that or it will take years of meetings to prove it was a mistake. I don
T think we should go there. Yes on a sidewalk but try very hard to limit taking the screening down. It is an important sound barrier as people Have been saying.
Vandy
3 Thiago
On Tue, Oct 13, 2026 at 8:54 AM Julie Quinlan wrote:
Hi Maple neighbors,
Because of increased traffic in our area, the Town has hired a consultant who is reviewing pedestrian safety changes to Station Ln (between Maple and Watkins). These changes will affect how move around our neighborhood, and council member Rick DeGoglia told me what's currently being considered. Nothing's been decided for sure and options can change, but it's important for us to think about how they might limit us in getting in and out of our area and tell the council what we prefer.
Here are the 3 options Rick shared with me, and some of my thoughts:
1. Make Station Ln one-way.
Rick said his preference is to make it one-way from Watkins towards the Town Center (in his words, to make it easier for Lindenwood folks to enter). This means we wouldn't be able to turn right on Station Ln from Maple which is important to be able to drive to Encinal, M-A, and otherwise get to Watkins. It could also worsen cut-through traffic from Watkins and down Maple. I think our neighborhood's needs should be given preference over Lindenwood since we've experienced the most change from Town Center traffic; they have to go to Middlefield anyhow and can just go 1 more street down to Fair Oaks to get here.
Another problem is that Station Ln is a Safe Route to School corridor ever since we got access to the gate in Holbrook Palmer Park about 15 years ago. A lot of kids ride their bikes back and forth to/from Encinal and M-A and use Station Ln to access the gate in the park, and making it one-way in either direction option would limit them.
2. Put a sidewalk on the west (non-train track) side of Station Ln.
Rick said they'd have to remove 8 heritage trees to do this. I think most of us don't love the idea of taking out the trees?
3. Put a sidewalk on the east (train track) side of Station Ln.
Rick said they'd have to remove the oleander bushes next to the street but that there are some shrubs and a few small oak trees behind the oleander that might be left.
To me this is the best (least bad?) option. Personally I don't love the idea of losing the screening from the train tracks but this option might work if we could get additional tall plants installed as a new screen between the sidewalk and tracks. For an example, check out the tall screening plants they put in around our end of the corporation yard - they grew up pretty fast and might do the trick, in addition of course to the oaks that are already there.
Please think about this and share your thoughts with the Council. The Town seems very serious about doing something to Station Ln, and we need to be part of the process. I'm not positive about any process to get neighborhood feedback but I think we need to give feedback asap if only to shut down options we don't like.
You can email all Council members at once at this email address: [email protected]
Tell them you're a Maple resident and that you've heard that changes are being considered to Station Ln and you want to share your thoughts/opinions about what would be best for our area/neighborhood.
If you prefer you can contact Council members individually. Here is a link to the Council webpage; you can access their individual email addresses at the link under each member photo. https://www.athertonca.gov/135/City-Council 4 I haven't had time to follow the decision-making or the next time this might be reviewed but believe there is a Council meeting Weds October 21. We should keep tabs on future agendas to see if Station Ln/traffic safety plan will be discussed.
Thanks -
Julie