Christopher Kao

My name is Chris and I am a resident of East Palo Alto. I work as a software engineer. I am also a Public Works & Transportation Commissioner, advising City Council on infrastructure issues.

Mega Mart in East Palo Alto: A Mismatch or a Market Strategy?

Mega Mart’s new East Palo Alto store may seem out of place demographically, but with 40,000 Asians nearby, no local Asian grocers, and high traffic, it’s a bold and strategic market move.

June 02, 2025 - 3 min read

Why Does Palo Alto Own 15% of East Palo Alto?

Palo Alto owns 15% of East Palo Alto’s land—despite being in a different county. It’s time for East Palo Alto to reclaim this underused space and transform it into parks, trails, and public assets.

May 31, 2025 - 6 min read

Ride Plus in East Palo Alto: Data-Driven Opportunities for Improved Mobility

At the April 16, 2025 Public Works & Transportation Commission meeting, I presented SamTrans Ride Plus statistics. The slides can be viewed here: SamTrans Ride Plus Statistics East Palo AltoSamTrans Ride Plus Statistics East Palo Alto Chris Kao April 16, 2025Google Docs The video link is here: https://cityofepa.granicus.

May 31, 2025 - 1 min read

Intersection Gridlock Analysis at Donohoe St and Highway 101 NB Off-Ramp

Drone footage and observations show frequent intersection blocking at Donohoe St and the Hwy 101 NB off-ramp during peak hours, causing major delays for East Palo Alto residents and reducing the intersection’s efficiency.

May 22, 2025 - 4 min read

Ask311: Search Vehicle Accidents and Illegal Dumpings Near You with AI

I built a tool that uses AI and maps to help you search for local vehicle accidents and illegal dumping data. Just enter an address and question—like “how many crashes near University & Purdue?”—and get answers pulled from real public records. Try it out!

April 29, 2025 - 3 min read

Why Free Parking is Killing East Palo Alto’s Downtown Vision

I argue that both on-street and off-street parking in the RBD should be priced appropriately to foster the vibrant, walkable downtown with shops and restaurants that East Palo Alto residents have long desired.

March 13, 2025 - 5 min read

East Palo Alto’s Proposed Residential Parking Permit Program: What You Need to Know

Next week on March 18, 2025, East Palo Alto's City Council will take the first reading of a draft Residential Parking Permit Program ordinance. While I support the parking permit program, there are some important changes I would like to see to make this successful.

March 12, 2025 - 6 min read

Fighting Illegal Dumping in East Palo Alto: A Data-Driven Approach

In 2024 there were 422 recorded illegal trash dumpings in East Palo Alto. I investigate systemic problems with scheduling large item pick ups, and I propose better enforcement strategies using video cameras.

March 06, 2025 - 8 min read

The Parking Problem in East Palo Alto: How to Report Violations and Free Up Space

If all East Palo Alto residents do nothing, then abandoned vehicles and oversized vehicles will literally not be enforced by the police department, which reduces available on-street parking for residents.

February 24, 2025 - 7 min read