school daily. The Vista/Bonita crosswalk is already unsafe, with drivers frequently running stop signs in their rush to drop off and pick up students. A one-way street could increase driver frustration, leading to even more speeding and less attention to crosswalks and pedestrians. My children and I have already experienced near misses, and I fear that this change will only make matters worse.
2. Limited Driveway Access and Increased Risk of Collisions I already struggle to safely exit my driveway due to:
Speeding cars on Bonita.
Drivers parking too close to my driveway, making it difficult to see oncoming traffic.
Illegal parking that blocks my driveway during school drop-offs and pick-ups.
If Bonita becomes one-way, I will have only one direction to exit my driveway, making it even harder to navigate. I am deeply concerned that backed-up traffic will prevent me from leaving my home altogether, or worse, that I may be at increased risk of an accident due to rushed, impatient drivers.
3. Negative Impact on Resident Parking
Bonita Avenue is a residential street, not just a parking lot for the Civic Center. My family, my neighbors, and our guests rely on street parking in front of our homes. The proposed diagonal parking may take away our residential parking spaces, prioritizing city employees and visitors over the people who actually live here.
To protect resident parking, I urge the city to implement 24-hour residential parking permits for Bonita Avenue residents, ensuring that residents are not displaced by these proposed changes. Other neighborhoods enjoy accessible residential parking, and Bonita residents deserve the same consideration.
4. The Proposal Prioritizes City Employees Over Residents This proposal benefits city employees and Civic Center visitors at the expense of the families, children, and long-term residents who live on Bonita Avenue. Our streets should prioritize safety and livability for residents first.
Conclusion: Prioritize Safety Over Parking Expansion
I urge the city to reconsider this proposal, as the safety risks far outweigh the benefits of adding more parking spaces. Instead of making Bonita one-way, I encourage the city to explore alternative solutions that do not compromise resident safety, driveway access, and parking availability.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my concerns. I hope that the city prioritizes the safety and well-being of Bonita Avenue residents over parking expansion for Civic Center employees.
Sincerely,
Jeni Roberts
Jennifer Elle Roberts, MD
Integrative Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist
drjenroberts.com
On Mon, Mar 17, 2025 at 11:10 AM Jeni Roberts <drjeniroberts wrote:
Hi Daniel,
My name is Jeni Roberts, and I am a lifelong resident of this community, currently living with my family at 331 Bonita Avenue. I am writing to strongly oppose the proposal to convert our block of Bonita Avenue into a one-way street with diagonal parking. While I understand the need for additional Civic Center parking, this change poses serious safety risks for residents, schoolchildren, and commuters.
1. Increased Safety Concerns for My Family and Neighbors As a parent, I am deeply concerned for the safety of my children and others who walk to school daily. The Vista/Bonita crosswalk is already unsafe, with drivers frequently running stop signs in their rush to drop off and pick up students. A one-way street could increase driver frustration, leading to even more speeding and less attention to crosswalks and pedestrians. My children and I have already experienced near misses, and I fear that this change will only make matters worse.
2. Limited Driveway Access and Increased Risk of Collisions I already struggle to safely exit my driveway due to:
Speeding cars on Bonita.
Drivers parking too close to my driveway, making it difficult to see oncoming traffic.
Illegal parking that blocks my driveway during school drop-offs and pick-ups.
If Bonita becomes one-way, I will have only one direction to exit my driveway, making it even harder to navigate. I am deeply concerned that backed-up traffic will prevent me from leaving my home altogether, or worse, that I may be at increased risk of an accident due to rushed, impatient drivers.
3. Negative Impact on Resident Parking
Bonita Avenue is a residential street, not just a parking lot for the Civic Center. My family, my neighbors, and our guests rely on street parking in front of our homes. The proposed diagonal parking may take away our residential parking spaces, prioritizing city employees and visitors over the people who actually live here.
To protect resident parking, I urge the city to implement 24-hour residential parking permits for Bonita Avenue residents, ensuring that residents are not displaced by these proposed changes. Other neighborhoods enjoy accessible residential parking, and Bonita residents deserve the same consideration.
4. The Proposal Prioritizes City Employees Over Residents This proposal benefits city employees and Civic Center visitors at the expense of the families, children, and long-term residents who live on Bonita Avenue. Our streets should prioritize safety and livability for residents first.
Conclusion: Prioritize Safety Over Parking Expansion
I urge the city to reconsider this proposal, as the safety risks far outweigh the benefits of adding more parking spaces. Instead of making Bonita one-way, I encourage the city to explore alternative solutions that do not compromise resident safety, driveway access, and parking availability.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my concerns. I hope that the city prioritizes the safety and well-being of Bonita Avenue residents over parking expansion for Civic Center employees.
Sincerely,
Jeni Roberts
On Mon, Mar 17, 2025 at 10:20 AM John Kao <jkao wrote:
Michael, this sounds fabulous! It’d be great if some email can be exchanged between you and Pete Palmer to confirm his views! Thanks, John
From: Michael A. Gardner <mgardner2366
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2025 9:13 AM
To: Marcia Lane ( 327 Bonita ) <marcia.berchenko ; Holly B. Gardner <hollisbea ; Jeni Roberts <drjeniroberts Patsie Kao
<hellopatsie ; Luke Schloegel <duke.schloege ; John
Kao <jkao Heidi Schloegel <heidischloege ; David
Lane ( Marcia's Husband - 327 Bonita ) <d.charles.lane ; Rachel Asa Piedmont ) <racheljasa Daniel Roberts <drobertsenator
Subject: Re: Piedmont Civic Center Parking Discussion - March 17th Council Meeting Good morning Neighbors ….
Just a quick note …. I spoke with Mr. Pete Palmer, Director of Facilities, for the
From: Marcia Lane <marcia.berchenko
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2025 11:17 AM
To: Daniel Gonzales <[email protected]> Michael A.
Gardner < Holly Gardner
; Jeni Roberts (Gardner)
Patsie Kao ;
Luke Schloege John Kao
Heidi Schloegel
David Lane
Subject: Fwd: Piedmont Civic Center Parking Discussion - March 17th Council Meeting
[EXTERNAL] This email originated from an external
source. Please use judgment and caution when opening
attachments, clicking links, or responding.
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for sending this to us. I am copying some of our neighbors for reference.
My strong opinion is that any proposal about turning Bonita into a 1-way street should be completely off the table for discussion. End of story.
There are major safety implications of a 1-way street, none of which have been considered. Have you addressed any of the concerns that we raised from the last discussion? I thought this subject was closed the last time it was proposed. You cause great distress to the neighborhood by continuing to propose 1- way traffic on Bonita; none of us want to continue this fight with the city. Please remove this as a topic of consideration from here on out.
You will be gaining dozens of spots back on Bonita between Magnolia and Vista once construction is completed. This
Bonita, Hillside, Highland, Magnolia, and Vista Avenues with the aim of providing the best possible experience for residents and visitors. No vote will occur at this meeting – the goal is to discuss parking and how residents, and Civic Center visitors, are impacted by possible alterations. Do you have a few minutes today or tomorrow to discuss? If so, can you please let me know your availability?
I’ve also placed the attached notification on the doorsteps to all homes on Bonita Ave. Please feel free to also forward this email to the other homeowners/residents on Bonita.
Thanks,
Daniel Gonzales, P.E.
Public Works Director
City of Piedmont
(510) 420-3061 (office)