What's Up With That??

April 21, 2008: Bones found beneath the Fireside!!

The big, white landmark called the Fireside has stood as a gateway to Mill Valley for 92 years, a symbol of a rough, rollicking era when the Bay Area was awash in rum running. But the celebrants who caroused inside the former speakeasy never knew they were dancing on Indian graves.

Read the story by Peter Fimrite in the San Francisco Chronicle, April 21, 2008

Oct 5, 2007: Safety issues on Shoreline Hwy 1 and Pine Hill Road

Hung Q Tran wrote:
Dear Ms. Cohn,

I was asked to respond to your note, reporting that the previous efforts for the crosswalk on Shoreline highway and Pine Hill Road have improved the conditions there. We have also reviewed your additional suggestions and are pleased to inform that we will request our highway maintenance crew to trim some of the foliage in the vicinity to help improve the visibility of the warning signs. Please allow six to eight weeks for this work to be incorporated in our workload. Additionally, within the next few months, we will also further evaluate replacing existing pedestrian warning signs with fluorescent yellow green background in each direction, and add supplement plate indicating distance (e.g. xxx FEET AHEAD).

Speed bumps, pavement markers, or rumble strips are not typically approved for use on State highways as traffic calming measures (or for reducing speeds). Enforcement would be very effective measure. As for the in-pavement pedestrian warning lights, they are visible to the first couple of approaching vehicles, and may not be seen by the following cars if the drivers do not pay attention to stopped traffic ahead. In our last field review, when the school was in session, we observed only nine pedestrians crossing from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and much fewer in the afternoon. One of the criteria used for installation of in-pavement pedestrian warning lights is 40 pedestrians per hour for 2 hours each day.

As you are probably aware, for these types of engineering solutions to be effective, they must be accompanied with an appropriate balance of enforcement and driver education. We appreciate the help you are affording us by highlighting this location in the community forums, and we will further coordinate with the CHP for enhanced enforcement. You're also encouraged to contact the enforcement agencies directly.

Thank you for your concerns of the operation of the State highways.

Hung Q. Tran
Office of Traffic
510-286-4585


Click to read Original emails from Linda & Curry

Sean Nozzari
Caltrans/District 4
Deputy District Director, Traffic Operations wrote:

Dear Linda and Curry,

Thank you for your note. In March this year, we received the same concerns from another resident in your neighborhood. We have investigated the matter, including examining the accident history and performing field observations of traffic operations at the intersection. Accident history indicates there were eight accidents at or near the intersection during the last five years. There was one rear-end accident that involved a stopped car which had yielded to a pedestrian but did not involve any pedestrian injury. None of the other accidents involved pedestrians.

Based on our observations between 7:30 - 8:30 AM, on a Thursday, while the school traffic was at its peak, there were nine pedestrians crossing the highway. Traffic flow on the highway was smooth at average speed of about 35-40 MPH. There were adequate gaps on the highway for pedestrians to cross, and on-coming traffic did stop for the pedestrians, as needed. We also re-visited the intersection after school dismissal time, at 2:50 PM, and there was less pedestrians crossing than in the morning (only three during the hour). Traffic volumes on the highway were also much less than the morning period.

The existing advance school crossing warning signs, the advance "Slow School Xing" pavement markings, and school crossing signs at the crosswalk in both directions are in good condition and visible to traffic. However, we decided to re-stripe the centerline (double yellow line) to narrow down the travelway as a measure to slow down traffic, and install "In-Street Pedestrian" signs (State Law - Yield To Ped Within Crosswalk). Re-striping has been completed. We have oredered the "yield to pedestrian" signs on expedite basis and expect to have them installed by the end of this month.

We will request our maintenance crew to re-visit the site again to perform any tree trimming needed. We did inform the local CHP office about your concerns who will do their best for increased enfrocement.

If you have any questions or wish further information, please feel free to call me, Phillipe Van at 510-286-4589, or Hung Q Tran 510-286-4585.

S. Sean Nozzari
Caltrans/District 4
Deputy District Director, Traffic Operations
510-286-6345

Is the 1992 version of the Tamalpais Area Community Plan the most current?

Date: Sept. 7, 2007

Yes, the 1992 version of the Tamalpais Area Community Plan is the current one and the one the County refers to when developments are proposed. Supervisor McGlashan is hoping to get the funding in the County's 2008-2009 budget for a revision of the Plan. It is an expensive undertaking as a planner from the County works with the committee from the community and the committee meets 2X a month. This was the procedure for the 1992 Plan and Charles says it will be done formally this time too.

What is causing the construction delays on Shoreline?

Last year during the heavy rains a hillside washed away on Shoreline, just this side of Loring Ave. They will be digging out that area and building a retaining wall to hold the road up and create a shoulder. They need to go to one lane to accomodate their truck and activity. I'm told it shouldn't take too long.

Curry Eckelhoff
President TVIC

Cars parked in front of the mailbox across from DeLanos Market

Date: Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Drat!!! Have you noticed the cars parking in front of the white painted curb blocking access to our precious mail boxes?? Everyday!! They must be commuters. They obviously don't know what a white painted curb means. I am afraid that this is even more of a safety hazard than the PO thought we had across the street when people would jump out at the curb to mail their letters. I am also afraid that if we don't nip this in the bud we will wake up one morning and ZAPP! our mail boxes are gone! I have printed out a flyer to put on their windshields ( here it is ) if any of you also feel inclined to do so.

Don't you just hate going two steps forward and one step back???

Gads it is frustrating!!!

CURRY

There's a car alarm going off on Marin Drive . . .More info

Anyone know anything about this one? Please let us know.

Are there any community gardens in the Tam Valley area?

Not at this point. There is discussion of it and if anything comes of it I'll let you know.

What will we be able to put in the new gray recycle can? Different from the blue can?

Put the same 'stuff' in the new gray can that you previously put in the blue can. More info

How can I get a copy of your design guidelines?

Tam Valley guidelines are in the Tamalpais Area Community Plan. . . .Read More

What's happening with the other low income housing project in place of Videodroid?

There is only one project going on at this point. . . UPDATED

What's happening with the Chevron station on the corner of Flamingo and Shoreline?

It's gone! Read More

What's that pile of dirt in front of Frantoio?

I'm sure many of you are wondering what the pile of dirt is in front of Frantoio's. Caltrans is using it for the spoils, tree trunks and dirt . . . Read More

What's all the construction on Almonte Blvd?

It is a water district project to replace the water mains . . . Read More

What's happening to the Fireside?

Architects rendering of the Fireside project
The old Fireside motel will become 50 units of affordable housing . . . Read More