By Los Altos

Council to accept bicycle plan

The Los Altos City Council was scheduled to accept a bicycle transportation plan Tuesday that includes more than $2.5 million in potential improvements to the city’s bikeway system.

Wilbur Smith and Associates prepared the plan, which will make the city eligible to receive state and federal grants for the improvements, if approved. Government policy requires cities to have an approved bicycle plan in place in order to receive funding.

City staff said the improvement costs are “very preliminary” and the city has not dedicated any funding from its capital improvements fund for the projects.

A copy of the Bicycle Transportation Plan is available for examination in the Engineering Department at City Hall, 1 N. San Antonio Road.

Los Altos

Council approval needed for special event permits

Any new special events in Los Altos that will cost the city more than $1,000 for services needs approval from the Los Altos City Council as part of a revised special events policy. City staff previously was charged with reviewing all new special events applications.

The city council approved the policy changes earlier this month with the intent of improving the city’s 1995 regulations.

The updated policy includes a category for new special events, or events that have not been held in the city within 18 months. Residents must apply for an event permit at least 120 days in advance and to notify neighbors if the event includes a street restriction or closure.

The policy defines a special event as a planned activity, typically conducted on public property, which is likely to obstruct or delay normal pedestrian or street traffic.

The police chief will remain responsible for approving permits for block parties.

In addition, applicants whose events are denied by city staff may appeal that decision to the city council.

-Town Crier Staff Report