By Council keeps shoulder paving ban

The Los Altos City Council last week turned down a policy that would have lifted the temporary ban on shoulder paving put in place in April 2000 after the Environmental Committee expressed concerns over the amount of asphalt shoulder paving, the appearance of residential streetscapes and the impact on storm water infiltration caused by paving the shoulder areas.

City staff last week recommended that the council adopt an interim policy for one year that would set guidelines for paving areas in the public-right-of-way along side streets.

The policy would have allowed a maximum of 38 feet of pavement within the public right of way, or an 8-foot shoulder for parking on each side of the street. It would have allowed the city the right to remove a 10-foot minimum area of shoulder landscaping along the length of roadway and install trees and other landscaping, opening the door for future citywide landscaping plan.

The city will continue to prohibit all shoulder paving until the council agrees to new guidelines for such street improvements.

Mountain View

Controlled burn at NASA Ames

The Moffett Field Fire Department at NASA Ames Research Center has scheduled controlled burns of the scrub grass this week in preparation for the Air Expo, Aug. 11-12, according to Fire Chief Joe Gippetti. “They’re going to do some pyrotechnics at the Air Expo, and we’re reducing the fuel load (of dry grass),” he said. “If (the grass) were to catch fire, it could stop the air show. (The controlled burn) also reduces the chances of impeding the 101 Freeway with a high volume of smoke.” The fire department permit allows for controlled burns, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday.

-Town Crier Staff Reports

Los Altos