Cal Ave Redevelopment Hits Snag

Plans to narrow California Avenue from four lanes to two were put on hold last night by the City Council, the Mercury News reports.

In their eagerness to accept grant money from Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, a judge ruled earlier this month that the city had failed to adhere to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by accepting the money before finishing its environmental review of the project.

The decision will likely only delay, rather than stop, the project, and the VTA grant is at this point being held and will be made available if and when the proper environmental reviews are complete, according to Palo Alto Online.

If finished, California Avenue will become a , with more trees, wider sidewalks, and new bike lanes.

The project has caused some controversy, however, among residents and business owners who .