COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

July 7, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 1, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Approval of the Installation of Speed Control Devices on Alta Vista Drive and on Sequoia Avenue - South San Francisco and Redwood City Areas

Recommendation

Adopt resolutions authorizing the Director of Public Works to install speed control devices on the following listed roads, once the administrative fees have been paid as required by the Residential Speed Control Device Program (“Program”) dated April 11, 2005:

1.

Three (3) speed humps and two (2) speed dips on Alta Vista Drive between Dorado Way and Alida Way – Country Club Park area near South San Francisco; and

2.

Three (3) speed humps on Sequoia Avenue between Hull Avenue and West Selby Lane – Sequoia Tract area near Redwood City.

Vision Alignment

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal(s): Maintain and enhance public safety of all residents and visitors.

We believe the installation of speed control devices will reduce traffic speeds to acceptable levels on these residential streets.

Background

Previous Board Action

Adopted Resolution No. 067260 on April 26, 2005, which approved the “Residential Speed Control Device Program for County Maintained Roads” dated April 11, 2005 (“Program”).

Adopted resolutions approving the installation of speed humps on other County roads pursuant to the adopted Program.

History

A majority of the property owners on the above described streets petitioned the Department to install speed control devices as required by the Program, and the traffic surveys conducted by the Department confirmed that speed control devices are warranted based on the criteria in the adopted Program.

Staff worked closely with the property owner representatives to determine the best locations for the speed humps and dips on the above described streets, and draft plans were developed based on these locations and standard traffic calming parameters. Meeting notices were then sent to all property owners and residents within the project areas, and draft plans and details were presented at the noticed neighborhood meetings. The plans were adjusted to reflect the neighborhood’s observations of traffic conditions, and to avoid conflicts between speed control devices and other facilities such as driveways.

Discussion

We have notified the residents on the two streets, as provided by the Program, of the meeting where your Board will consider our recommendation to install the speed humps and dips. We have also sent a copy of our staff report to the fire protection agencies that serve the areas where speed control devices are proposed, the nearby cities (Atherton, Redwood City and South San Francisco), and to the appropriate community councils and homeowners’ associations. We will report any comments that we receive.

We believe the installation of speed control devices is exempt from the requirements for preparation of an EIR under Section 15301(F) Class 1, of the California Environmental Quality Act, and a Notice of Exemption has been filed with the County Clerk.

We estimate that construction of speed humps and dips will take approximately three (3) days per street.

Resolutions have been approved as to form by County Counsel.

Fiscal Impact

The cost of installing six (6) speed humps is estimated at $3,000 each ($18,000 total) and the cost of installing two (2) speed dips is estimated at $6,000 each ($12,000 total). The cost is partially offset by the $400 per speed hump fee ($3,200 total), which has been or will be paid by the project proponents prior to the installation of the speed devices. The net cost of installing the speed control devices is proposed to be financed with Road Funds. There is no impact to the General Fund.

Not all of the administrative fees as required by the Program have been paid as of the writing of this report. Therefore, the proposed resolution provides that your Board’s approval of the proposed speed humps does not authorize the installation of the devices on a specific street until the fees have been paid. The resolution also provides that the fees must be paid within six months or the authorization to install the speed humps is terminated.