This agenda item is a follow-up to approve the updated Middle Avenue Bike and Pedestrian Crossing design that was discussed at a July 11th study session on this topic. As a reminder, as the City gets closer to undercrossing becoming a reality, necessary design modifications have surfaced. The design changes are a result of two constraints that Caltrain is now imposing on the project. The new requirements, and associated design changes needed, are:
Constraint #1: A construction method that does not disrupt train service.
Impact: The depth of the tunnel will need to be lowered by three feet to allow a construction method that enables the train to remain in operation. This also impacts the location of the ramp and extends the length of the ramp on the Alma side of the tracks.
Constraint #2: The need for the ramps that access the tunnel to be located outside the Caltrain right of way.
Impact: The original design assumed that the Caltrain right of way could be used and included a tunnel length of 62 feet with the ramp starting at that point. The new requirement means that the ramp must be located outside the Caltrain right of way, which is 90 feet, 28 feet longer than the original length and even beyond the current fence line. In order to increase the amount of natural light into the tunnel, staff is continuing to work with Caltrain to see if the tunnel itself can remain 62 feet, with the additional 28 feet being an open area prior to the ramp. If allowed, the City would need to commit to installing a structural covering over the additional 28 feet if/when the right of way is required for Caltrain's rail needs.
This agenda item is to approve a memorandum of understanding for the landscaping of the Willow-U.S. 101 Interchange. As you likely remember, all of the trees and landscaping were removed in 2019. Many of us have been eager to see some beauty restored at this location. The image above shows the conceptual landscape plan and the staff report includes the plant and tree list proposed to be used in the new design. We are still at least two years away from substantial planting, followed by a three-year plant establishment period. For more information, please read the staff report here. Note that much of the information provided in this staff report was shared previously as an informational item at the May 9th Council meeting.
The San Mateo Grand Jury is a fact-finding body that makes specific recommendations on a wide range of topics to improve local government operations. The Grand Jury issues reports and then all cities in San Mateo County are required to submit responses to the findings and recommendations.
This agenda item includes a Grand Jury report titled, "Accessory Dwelling Units: Affordable Housing's Panacea or Prevarication?" and an outline of the City's reactions to the report. The report questions whether some San Mateo County communities are misusing ADU's to avoid the construction of multifamily low-income housing over the next eight years (the Cycle 6 Housing Element period). As you can see in the responses provided, Menlo Park pushes back on this claim, asserting that the use of ADU's is just one strategy used for meeting our City's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), and accounts for less than 3% of the overall number of units, and less than 5% of affordable units to lower income households. It goes on to state, "If no ADU's are built during this planning period, the City could still meet its required housing allocation."
Agenda items G5 and H1 are related to the outdoor streetaries. Item G5 is the 2nd reading of an ordinance introduced at the August 15th Council meeting that establishes a long-term policy including permitting, operational and maintenance regulations for outdoor dining in the public right-of-way. Item H1 includes two resolutions putting in place design standards and dining fees applicable to the streetaries.
This agenda item would turn the temporary closure of Santa Cruz Avenue (the area in front of Walgreen's) into a long term public space. It would also include street improvements to allow for the safer passage of bicycles through the area.
Other Item of Interest
Below are additional items of interest.
Applications Due Tomorrow (8/28) for
San Mateo County's Civics 101 Academy
Registration for the annual Civics 101 Academy is open through August 28th (tomorrow!) with space still available for more participants. Civics 101 is an opportunity to hear from County leaders and departments and learn about County programs, services, finances, and initiatives. Civics 101 will be held on nine consecutive Wednesday evenings at the Regional Operation Center in Redwood City, 6 to 8:30 p.m., from Aug. 30 through Oct. 25. Sessions include a K-9 demonstration, mock trial on Justice System night and a hike at a County park with a ranger. Register here.
Applications Due September 15th for
San Mateo County Youth Climate Ambassador Program
San Mateo County’s Youth Climate Ambassador Program has opened applications for the next cohort of this 7-month program (October 2023 - April 2024). All ninth through 12th grade students who live in San Mateo County are eligible to apply. Participants build their knowledge of climate change, explore various climate solutions and develop a final project to create positive, environmental change within their school or local community. Applications are open now and close at midnight on Friday, Sept. 15.
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Foster Care Program
The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Foster Care Program is made up of individuals or families who volunteer to offer temporary care for shelter companion animals in their homes. Foster volunteers help shelter animals get ready for adoption. The pets may need to recover from an illness or injury, work on specific behaviors, or just relax in a home setting while we work on finding their forever home. Currently the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Foster Care Program are seeking volunteers to foster dogs, kittens, guinea pigs and rabbits. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older to foster animals.
MTC-ABAG Survey on Plan Bay Area 2050+ and Related Projects
Open Until September 7th
How has daily life changed, in terms of getting around, and where you work and live? What has gotten better, and where is there still room for improvement? What are your concerns for the environment and the economy? Staff from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments seek your input on how life in the Bay Area has changed as the region emerges from the pandemic.
Your input will help staff develop the Plan Bay Area 2050+ Draft Blueprint. Plan Bay Area 2050+ is the limited and focused update to Plan Bay Area 2050, the adopted long-range regional plan. Plan Bay Area 2050+ will refine select plan strategies to integrate the lessons of the last three years.
The survey also will help inform the development of Transit 2050+, a parallel long-range planning effort that will produce a first-of-its-kind plan to re-envision the future of the public transit network in the nine-county Bay Area, as well as the expenditure plan for a potential transportation revenue measure. The revenue measure is key in advancing implementation of Plan Bay Area.
The deadline to participate in the survey is Thursday, September 7, 2023.
