Corte Madera officials discuss parking and wildfire concerns on Christmas Tree Hill

Concerns over wildfire safety and evacuation logistics took center stage at the recent community workshop hosted by the Town of Corte Madera, focusing on the Lower Christmas Tree Hill Undergrounding and Evacuation Improvements. Residents expressed their worries about the area's designation as a low-risk zone by PG&E and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), despite its classification as a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).

During the meeting, a resident highlighted the need for better communication with PG&E and PUC regarding local concerns, urging officials to prioritize undergrounding power lines in the area. The town's representatives acknowledged that Christmas Tree Hill remains a priority for future projects aimed at enhancing evacuation routes and wildfire mitigation, although no specific timeline or funding has been established yet.

Parking emerged as another critical issue, particularly for homes lacking driveways. Residents raised questions about where vehicles would be parked during emergencies, emphasizing the need for accessible evacuation routes. Town officials discussed potential parking restrictions on high-risk fire days, seeking community input on how to manage parking effectively while ensuring safety.

The workshop underscored the community's commitment to addressing these pressing issues, with officials encouraging ongoing dialogue to balance safety measures with residents' needs. As Corte Madera moves forward with its plans, the focus remains on improving infrastructure to better protect the community from wildfire threats.