City of San Carlos
Transportation and Circulation Commission
September 25, 2007 - 7:00 PM
City Council Chambers, 600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA
Approved Minutes
Chairperson: Paul Spagnoli
Commission: Jack Baumgarten, Thomas Feledy, Jason Mansfield, Gail McPartland, Tony Panero, Margaret Pye
Meeting Called to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Roll Call
Commissioners present: Paul Spagnoli, Jack Baumgarten, Jason Mansfield, Gail McPartland, Tony Panero, Margaret Pye
Commissioners absent: Tony Panero
3. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of August 22, 2007 meeting were approved with Commissioners Mansfield and Baumgarten abstaining.
4. Public Hearing
a) To receive comments and concerns from the public regarding proposed removal of the crosswalk at the intersection of San Carlos Avenue and Chestnut Street.
Director Mokhtari reviewed the commission discussion and vote from the May meeting. The commission forwarded a recommendation to City Council to make no changes to the intersection in a vote of 4:1. The City Council voted to close the crosswalk, which necessitated a public hearing. The City Council requested a public hearing on the issue to be held at this meeting. The action to be taken by the commission is to take no action or to affirm the City Council recommendation of removing the crosswalk. Comments from this hearing will be forwarded to the City Council for a final decision at a later date.
Commissioner Spagnoli noted the need for proper notification of the discussion and recommendations at the earlier meeting. Commissioner Baumgarten requested clarification on whether the crosswalk would be removed permanently or for 90 days only. Commissioner Panero questioned the accident data on the crosswalk and whether the proposed changes address data accumulated at the location. Commissioner Mansfield questioned the direction from the City Council in absence of City Council minutes.
Public Hearing:
Steve Vanderlip, San Mateo, representing the Peninsula Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition, recommends not closing the crosswalk.
Linda Morales, San Carlos, lived close to the crosswalk location, notes the lack of parking on the Adult Center side of the street and the fact two ladies were injured at the location, recommends removing the crosswalk.
Pat Giorni, Burlingame, advocates not closing the crosswalk.
John Hafstad, San Carlos, has visited the adult center for 20 years, has observed the crosswalk with others from the center, is concerned with safety of the elderly and their ability to cross with in the time of the posted lights at the intersection. Recommends not closing the crosswalk until a signal light can be installed at the location.
Bonnie McClure, San Carlos, recommends not closing the crosswalk to benefit people visiting the adult center, library, schools and other public places in the vicinity.
Herb Masters, San Carlos, recommends not closing crosswalk as this action would divert people crosswalks and signals where accidents are already known to happen. Would like to see lights timed more accurately.
Gillian Newson, recommends not closing crosswalk. The crosswalk is safer than the intersections with lights. Finds crossing at this location is safe.
June Penning, San Carlos, recommends not closing the crosswalk. Would like to see a signal light at the intersection, notes there is not enough parking at adult center so people park across the street, cars don’t stop for people carrying flags in crosswalk. Mrs. Penning presented a petition with some 380 signatures in support of leaving crosswalk. The petition was presented to Mokhtari.
Commission discussion: Pye emailed the author of “The Citizen’s Guide to Traffic Calming” which is the City guide. Pye read an email which said in part, “… this is a very sad indicator that your community is willing to give up on walkability, civility and common sense.” Panero notes the crosswalk is part of a three-intersection or systemic problem and questions whether this one change will solve the larger problem of a safe San Carlos Ave. Mansfield reaffirms the need to address the City Council direction of addressing the one crosswalk. Baumgarten questions the ability of the city to enforce the speed limit in the area.
Motion: to send message to City Council re-affirming decision to not remove the crosswalk at Chestnut Ave and to recommend the city reconsider options for that intersection based on comments received from the community in the public hearing. (Pye/McPartland). Motion carries unanimously.
5. New Business
a) Consideration of installing class III bike routes on Cedar Street and Arroyo Avenue using Sharrows or signs and method of financing the project.
Mokhtari reviewed the proposed bike routes and the relative benefits of adding Sharrows on the indicated streets. The Sharrows are painted or affixed to the pavement. Cedar Street would cost approximately $18,000; Arroyo approximately $6,000. The commission can recommend to City Council that city funds pay for the Sharrows or that the city applies for grants to cover costs. The city has $25,000 for bicycle projects in the budget. The finds are not yet encumbered for other projects.
Panero asked for clarification on width and length of the Sharrows. These are not defined by Caltrans per Mokhtari. Baumgarten asked for clarification on the permanence of the markings. They can be painted on or can be applied using thermoplastic coating. They can be slippery when wet but this is reduced with cross-hatching. The thermoplastic with reflective coating can last 7-8 years and costs approximately twice as much as paint. Panero questions whether the Sharrows would be placed in the door lanes of vehicles. They would which means bicyclists and people entering/exiting vehicles could collide. There was also a discussion of whether diagonal parking would help increase safety which it could.
Public Comment:
Lori Low, San Carlos, support the bike routes for a healthier, safer San Carlos.
Tony Low, San Carlos, support the bike routes and the addition of Sharrows. He recommends signage on bike lanes to alert people that bikes are present.
Didrik Hoag, San Carlos, supports the Sharrows and would like to see traffic issues around schools reviewed.
Pat Giorni, Burlingame, supports the Sharrows.
Steven Vanderlip, San Carlos, supports the Sharrows and suggests they should not be in the car door lane.
Commission Discussion: Mansfield supports seeking grant funds for the project. Pye notes that there the current White Oaks Safe Routes to School Project.
Motion: to accept the staff recommendation for Sharrows on the proposed streets and to recommend the city proceed quickly because of the Safe Routes to School Project to use city funds. (Baumgarten/Mansfield) Motion passed 4:2 with Pye and Panero opposed.
b) Appointment of an alternate to represent the Commission on the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC).
Motion: to appoint Commissioner Panero as the commission’s alternate on GPAC. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Public Comment
Herb Masters, San Carlos, recommends minimizing traffic for schools and parks as done on Alameda de las Pulgas.
Jeff Price, San Carlos, requests the city review speed, safety and volume of traffic on Howard.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned.
