COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Parks

DATE:

May 10, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 8, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David G. Holland, Director, Department of Parks

SUBJECT:

Review and Approve the Acceptance of the Final Report: Improving Safety and Mobility along Highway 1 on the Unincorporated San Mateo County Midcoast

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

A)

Authorizing acceptance of the Final Report: Improving Safety and Mobility along Highway 1 on the Unincorporated San Mateo County Midcoast; and

B)

Directing the Director of Parks or his designee to develop an action plan with the community to implement the findings of the report.

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 developed a Conceptual Plan to improve the connections across and along Highway 1 and provides 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. The Project also incorporates 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. The County partnered with the Local Government Commission, a nonprofit organization with extensive technical skills. Walkable Communities’ nationally recognized expert, Mr. Dan Burden, was a key design team member and public forum facilitator.

DISCUSSION:

The three primary goals of this Project were 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 produced a conceptual 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 involved: 1) planning and coordination; 2) data collection; 3) publicity and outreach; 4) charrette events, and: 5) Final Report and follow up.

The final report includes an overview of the public process, text, graphics and photographs that clearly illustrate specific conceptual design solutions for the corridor. A draft version was distributed for review and made available to charrette participants, responsible agencies, and the community at large at a February 24, 2010 workshop. The plan for the community was developed with extensive public input that addressed the core concerns of the stakeholders. Comments received at and following the February 24, 2010 meeting have been attached as appendices to the Conceptual plan.

Following approval of this report by the Board of Supervisors, a committee of local stakeholders and a committee of technical experts will be established to advise the County in developing an action plan to implement the design ideas developed within the Conceptual Plan. The Plan is available on the County Parks website at www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/portal/site/parks or the Midcoast Park and Recreation Committee website at www.mprc.sanmateo.org/.

Measure

FY 2008-09
Actual

FY 2009-10
Projected

Capital Projects

6

7

Plans Completed

2

5

This Project developed a Conceptual Plan and contributes to the County’s 2025 Shared Vision of Environmentally Conscious Community as it looks at improving pedestrian safety along the Highway 1 corridor, has and will engage residents in planning pedestrian corridors and highway improvements toward neighborhood revitalization, enhancing public safety, and reducing vehicle dependency through bicycle and walking trails connected to shopping, work and recreation.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

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