Posted on October 26 at 8:59 p.m.

Just wait another nine years. You will treasure these as the good old days, when your son spoke to you in multiple multi-syllable sentences.

On Once Upon a Cool Mom

Posted on August 30 at 9:32 p.m.

The apartment complex at Anapamu and Salsipuedes is neither a historic landmark or structure of merit. But why pussyfoot around Thoughtful's ultimate goal? Let's just make the entire city a Historic Landmark, and require everybody to get ABR approval to prune their roses.

On The Fog Rolls Over El Encanto

Posted on May 29 at 10:06 p.m.

Here is a link to the report I referenced:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tfhrc/safety/pub...

On Shoot-Out at the Roundabout Corral

Posted on May 29 at 9:50 p.m.

Nice article. Here are a few more points. Before the hearing last April, the Mayor forwarded me links to some research about traffic-calming devices. The most complete study of the lot indicated that while traffic circles were modestly more effective than any of the other devices examined, the research was mostly anecdotal. None of the devices delivered a huge improvement. The study did identify one technique that consistently delivered dramatic improvements: enforcement. I don't think anyone can claim to be being forced from their cars if all they are being asked to do is obey existing laws. A cop on every corner is expensive, but no one seems to want to discuss cameras.

"But traffic planner Rob Dayton said stop signs don’t work; motorists speed up between stop signs". Duh. They speed up between roundabouts, too. As far as I know, the city did not do any before measurements, so any comparisons of how effective the roundabouts are, particularly midway between roundabouts, are likely to be opinion. From my vantage point directly between two roundabouts, traffic is not any slower.

For what it is worth, the St. Francis office project was withdrawn well before the hospital closed, largely due to resistance from nearby residents opposed to the horrific traffic that doctor's offices generate.

The article does not mention that the city received a grant to play with the roundabouts. In effect it was a no-cost way to appease the residents complaining about speeding.

ABR meetings are taped and broadcast. I don't know if it is still true, but at one time you could get copies of the tapes for a nominal charge.

On Shoot-Out at the Roundabout Corral