UPDATE: Bike-Pedestrian Committee May Disappear, as Talks Begin Dec. 15

Would the wheels of Los Altos government be better served with fewer commissions making decisions over us?

An ad hoc committee of the City Council has set Dec. 15 to discuss slimming down two commissions and one committee—the Planning Commission, the Traffic Commission and the Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee—into a single body.

When a similar idea was raised last year, members of the bicycling community , alarmed that this meant the elimination of the Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee—and attention to bicycling concerns—altogether.

When they discussed the possible creation of a Planning and Transportation Commission , City Council members said they thought it would streamline decision-making that is often uncoordinated between the bodies.

GreenTown Los Altos, a non-profit organization that has advocated for bicycling as healthier, environmentally-sound, and better for the economy, has voiced worries.

"Our chief concern about the possible restructuring of the Planning and Traffic Commissions is ensuring that bicycle and pedestrian issues get adequately addressed," said Margie Suozzo, chair of the Leadership Team for GreenTown Los Altos.

The organization cites the potential for losing track of key bike and pedestrian needs, depending on which alternative structure may be selected.

"One of GreenTown Los Altos' key strategic goals is building a more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly community," Suozzo said. "To achieve this, however, we need the support of city planning and policy making bodies."

Options that were proposed to the council this year are contained in the pdf document above.

The meeting will be Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. at the Neutra House, 181 Hillview Avenue.