Early results of Dumbarton corridor study indicate improved traffic flow

The Almanac – by Kate Bradshaw / August 15, 2017

Bicycle and pedestrian path, expanded bus service among ideas eyed for 2020

Facebook sponsored study of the Dumbarton transportation corridor looks at feasibility to:  Increase the frequency and number of destinations of transbay buses by 2020; Convert a traffic lane on the road bridge to either an express lane or a shifting lane that matches commute direction by 2025; Rebuild the abandoned rail bridge and activate a rail shuttle across the Bay to connect Redwood City to Union City by 2030.

Keene: City to hold off on evictions of First Baptist groups

Palo Alto Weekly – by Elinor Aspegren, Shawna Chen and Jocelyn Dong / August 15, 2017

Pastors, others say allowing churches to rent space to various community groups should be allowed

Unhappy over the City of Palo Alto’s planned eviction of a dozen nonprofit organizations and businesses that have been using First Baptist Church in Palo Alto as their home, members of the groups and their supporters turned out in force on Monday to plead with the City Council to change zoning rules to allow them to stay.

Push to redesign rail corridor tests ‘Palo Alto process’

Palo Alto Weekly – by Gennady Sheyner / August 9, 2017

Some planning commissioners fear new stakeholder group could slow city down in race for cash

As Palo Alto moves ahead with plans to transform the rail corridor, city officials are struggling to reconcile two seemingly competing goals: catching up to other communities in a race for Santa Clara County funds and engaging in the type of prolonged deliberative process that has long been synonymous with City Hall culture.

New housing money available

The Daily Journal – by Samantha Weigel / July 28, 2017

$24M in new tax revenue open to developers of affordable units, largest amount in county’s history

San Mateo County is putting its money where its mouth is and, when it comes to voters’ frustration with the housing crisis, that translates to nearly $24 million.

This week, the county’s Department of Housing announced its largest round of annual funding for developers looking to build or preserve homes for those making low incomes, former foster youth or people with mental illness….

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Palo Alto’s brick-and-mortar retailers face steep challenges

Palo Alto Weekly – by Sue Dremann /  July 27, 2017

Downtown Palo Alto stores are struggling with high costs, difficulties in finding employees who will work for minimum or low wage and a parking shortage, among other problems, a panel of business owners said Wednesday morning during a discussion on the future of retail….

Planning commission unanimously recommends office-cap extension

Palo Alto Weekly – by Elinor Aspegren and Shawna Chen / July 27, 2017

The Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission supported the city staff’s recommendation to extend the 50,000 square foot office-cap ordinance on Wednesday. Despite concerns about its long-term effects, all five commissioners present passed the motion with little debate….