COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Parks

 

DATE:

January 22, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 29, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David G. Holland, Director, Department of Parks

SUBJECT:

Application for a $108,834 Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant from Caltrans for Improving Safety and Mobility along Highway 1 on the Unincorporated San Mateo County Midcoast

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution approving the submittal of an application by the County of San Mateo to the State of California Department of Transportation’s FY 2007-2008 Caltrans Community–Based Transportation Planning Grant Program for a grant in the amount of $108,834 and authorizing the Director of Parks, or designee, to 1) enter into a contract with the State of California Department of Transportation upon receipt of a Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant from that agency; 2) take all necessary steps to secure the grant funds from the State of California Department of Transportation to provide funds for the project; 3) conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including but not limited to contracts, subcontracts, applications, agreements, extensions, renewals, payment requests, and amendments of funding provided by the Federal Highway Administration and California Department of Transportation, which may be necessary for the completion of the project; and 4) accept, appropriate, expend, and administer the grant funds, if secured, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the approved grant for the project.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.

Goal 15: Residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities.

This grant, if awarded, will fund a project to develop a plan to improve connections across and along Highway 1 including access to green space with recreational opportunities.

 

BACKGROUND:

The County of San Mateo produced the Midcoast Action Plan for Parks and Recreation (Midcoast Plan) in 2007. The County has developed the proposed “Improving Safety and Mobility along Highway 1 on the Unincorporated Midcoast of San Mateo County Project” (Project) to begin implementing the goals identified in the Midcoast Plan.

 

This Project will develop a plan to improve the connections across and along Highway 1; will provide details on how Highway 1 can better serve the communities, both as a corridor for high volume vehicle traffic flow and for improving access for pedestrians, people with mobility challenges, and bicyclists; and will incorporate design details to enhance the appearance of the Highway to make the El Granada and Miramar areas an attractive destination for visitors and area residents.

 

DISCUSSION:

The three primary goals of this Project are to: 1) increase pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle safety along Highway 1; 2) increase economic opportunity along the highway corridors by using principles of context-sensitive design, and 3) provide transportation options for those that cannot, or choose not to use cars for short, local trips and commuting to work, and thus reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips. The Project’s result will be a plan that develops more mobility options by increasing and improving connections within the area along Highway 1 from El Granada to Half Moon Bay. The five major steps of this Project involve: 1) Planning and coordination; 2) Data collection; 3) Publicity and outreach; 4) Charrette event, and: 5) Report and follow up.

 

The final product will be a 40-plus page report that includes an overview of the public process, text, graphics and photographs that clearly illustrate specific conceptual design solutions for the corridor. A draft version will be distributed for review and made available to charrette participants and the community at large. The plan for the community will be developed with extensive public input that addresses the core concerns of the stakeholders. The County will partner with the Local Government Commission, a nonprofit organization with extensive technical skills. Walkable Communities’ nationally recognized expert, Dan Burden, will also be a key design team member.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The County proposes to apply for $108,834 in grant funds and the County will be providing $27,210 in local matching funds, half of which will be in-kind for staff time and other administrative costs. County funding will be secured from existing, planned funding with no additional funding requested from the General Fund.