Safe Routes plans for Burns Valley and Pomo elementaries presented; council praises pilot walking-school-bus event

Blue Zones Project Lake County presented draft Safe Routes to School plans for Burns Valley and Pomo elementary schools, describing engineering recommendations and community-based measures to reduce traffic congestion and improve student safety at drop-off and pick-up times.

Greg Damron, public-policy advocate for Blue Zones Project Lake County, summarized field assessments and community engagement that informed the plans. Key findings included heavy use of Acacia Street for drop-off and pick-up, a U-shaped bus staging area, and chaotic traffic patterns at Pomo Elementary's multi-leg intersections. Recommended responses included roadway geometry changes (including one-way conversions where appropriate), curb and sidewalk improvements, better school-site loading patterns and passenger staging, and community programs such as walking school buses to reduce vehicle volume.

Damron highlighted a large walking-school-bus demonstration in which students walked from Austin Park to Pomo Elementary; the event drew broad community participation and was used as a proof-of-concept for reducing campus congestion and increasing active travel. Becky Salado, superintendent of the local district (KUSD), praised the city—s cross-agency collaboration and said the demonstration showed strong parental and community support.

Council members expressed support and asked staff to coordinate a next-step meeting of public-works, school and safety staff; Vice Mayor Slotin and others suggested specific traffic-safety committee follow-up. No formal vote was required or taken; council and staff said they will pursue funding opportunities, including potential Caltrans grants, as a next step.