Projects & Issues

Click on any of the following subject headings, or on the "buttons" in the left column, for more information about these projects and issues.

PG&E Gas Pipelines at Stanford
Since the gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno last September, Stanford staff have been following the investigation and meeting with PG&E to ensure that all appropriate actions are being taken for campus safety.

Community Planning Project - Final Report Summary
The 1995 SCRL Community Planning Report set out a number of capital improvement projects in priority order. In the intervening decade many of the projects were completed, including the Nixon drop-off areas, Alvarado Park renovation, and Frenchman's Triangle Park. In addition, we undertook, jointly with Stanford, the extensive rebuilding of the pathways in the residential area. The SCRL Capital Planning Committee (CPC) is revisiting our capital expenditure priorities in the Spring of 2008. The CPC will be surveying the community for their insight and inspiration to compose a list of needed maintenance items and useful capital improvements. The process of bring a plan to the SCRL Board will include community meetings/surveys to prioritize these suggestions.

Discount Solar Program for All Stanford-Affiliated Homeowners:
Executive Summary | FAQ | Video | Presentation Slides
   Survey | Program Status | Latest News
Proposed Changes in the Parking System in the Residential Area
On request by a majority of residents, some streets in the Stanford residential neighborhoods have been designated for "SH Parking" only -- parking on these streets is limited to campus homeowners and their guests. Commuter and foothills access parking is prohibited on "SH parking" streets. Stanford's Parking and Transportation Office manages the SH Parking program. Campus homeowners can request that their street be designated for "SH Parking" only.
Munger Graduate Housing Project
SCRL facilitated a series of discussions with the Provost and project planners, leading to significant changes in teh design of the buildings, parking and traffic circulation.
Paths/Sidewalk Repairs & Rehabilitation Project

Sidewalks and pedestrian paths in the Residential Subdivision have been inspected and the areas needing repairs have been identified. A project to repair and rehabilitate the sidewalks and pedestrian paths is being undertaken by SCRL and Stanford Facilities Operations (see above links for more).

SCRL Emergency Plan
SCRL volunteers developed an emergency plan for the campus faculty/staff residential neighborhoods. SCRL's Emergency Committee is working to identify new captains and alternates for several neighborhood areas. If you are interested in volunteering as a neighborhood captain or alternate, please contact SCRL. This section includes the list of current captains, alternates, and homes in each Emergency Plan area.
Ground Rent Renegotiation
As part of their land lease agreements with Stanford University, campus homeowners pay "Ground Rent" to Stanford to cover the cost of various services, including fire and police protection and maintenance of parks and greenbelt areas. Actual ground rents vary according to the size of the homeowner's lot.
Stanford GUP/County Planning Process
Stanford University filed an application with the County of Santa Clara for a new "General Use Permit and Community Plan" in November 1999. The County planning process for the GUP/CP included many public meetings, and SCRL presented and filed statements with the County throughout this process. The Final GUP/CP was approved by the County Board of Supervisors in December 2000. See this section for more information about the GUP/CP and for copies of the SCRL statements about the plan.

The GUP/CP included several conditions Stanford must meet and that are particularly relevant to homeowners.  These include provision of two hiking/bicycle trails across Stanford lands, creation of a plan to replace any recreational facilities in the residential area that would be lost if Stanford were to develop any of the infill sites, and a requirement that additional housing be built on campus linked to the GUP-approved development of academic buildings.
Stanford Avenue Issues
In May 2000, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved the County Road's Department proposal for Stanford Avenue. The Board of Supervisors also directed County Roads to continue to study potential "long-term improvements" -- including the addition of paved parking spaces and paved pathways along Stanford Avenue. For many years, SCRL, campus homeowners and Stanford University have been concerned about traffic safety hazards and other impacts of parking on Stanford Avenue. SCRL and Stanford have supported a complete prohibition of parking along Stanford Avenue as the best solution to the current situation. See this section for more information about SCRL's survey on foothills parking, SCRL and Stanford statements, the County Roads Dept. proposal, and the Board of Supervisor's action.
Street Tree Replanting Project
SCRL works with Stanford's Facilities/Grounds Maintenance Department and Faculty/Staff Housing Office to implement a long-term street tree replanting project in the campus residential neighborhoods. SCRL approved funding for a street tree plan, which was completed in 1998.
Traffic Issues Including Junipero Serra Blvd. Traffic Calming
For over a decade, SCRL and campus homeowners have been concerned about traffic safety issues along Junipero Serra Boulevard ("JSB"). SCRL Board members and other SCRL members participated with Stanford officials on the "JSB Task Force," working to address safety issues. In December 1998, SCRL members met with Santa Clara County officials to request that a "traffic calming" program be implemented for JSB. The County hired consultants to review the situation; the consultants have completed their final report.
Historical / Heritage Homes Ordinance Issues
SCRL assembled a task force to work directly with Santa Clara County on the proposed Historical and Heritage Homes Ordinance. The SCRL Historical and Heritage Task Force submitted revisions to the County on their proposed ordinance, and developed recommendations for an incentives based program to encourage the preservation of our historic homes.