Creating sufficient parking, while balancing safety concerns, public transit access and paths for cyclists and pedestrians is a tall order for many cities, but a recent plan to do so in the North Central neighborhood is drawing concern key segments have been excluded in the process.
The North Central Complete Streets plan, which began last year, is part of an ongoing city initiative to better accommodate all modes of transportation, including public transit, walking and biking. But the area presents unique challenges, in part due to its narrow streets and higher residential density compared to other areas of the city, and lingering skepticism remains over the controversial replacement of over 200 parking spaces a couple of years ago to make way for more bike lanes.
While less curb space remains a challenge, according to a city staff presentation to the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission this week, residents have also noted public safety concerns, particularly around speeding and collisions. Commissioner Pamela Rittelmeyer raised the possibility of incentivizing more students to walk or bike to San Mateo High School, located in the area, as their age demographic is associated with more reckless driving.
“We really need to work on encouraging those high school kids to walk or bike or e-bike even,” Rittelmeyer said. “I don’t know how we can do this as a city, as a community, to really encourage more kids to get to school not in a car that they’re driving themselves but by bicycle.”
Trina Pierce, a longtime North Central resident, highlighted her concerns to the commission during the meeting Wednesday, March 15, stating she does her best to help senior and disabled residents get around, but it’s become increasingly hard to do so, and city outreach to those groups has been lackluster.
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“I hear from seniors all the time. I cannot drive these seniors around. When they call me, I have to say no sometimes, and that makes me feel so bad,” Pierce said. “We were also promised, when we lost 250 parking spaces, that more lights would be put up. There has not been a light put up in North Central.”
Chair Susan Rowinski echoed similar comments, saying she can’t figure out why “we are not actively seeking input” from the disabled community.
But if done right, the Complete Streets plan could see significant safety and accessibility improvements, as the community uses public transportation, walking and carpooling as their primary modes of commuting compared to the rest of the city, according to commuter survey data.
The City Council is holding a study session on the Complete Streets plan for North Central Monday, March 18, at City Hall, 330 W. 20th Ave. Go to cityofsanmateo.org/3971/Agendas-Minutes-Public-Meeting-Portal for more information. Full adoption is planned for later in the year.
Here we go again… even more time and even more money to be wasted because our so-called leaders couldn’t pass up the “use it or lose it” money to subsidize union labor, with North Central drawing the short straw. Remember this treachery during the next few election cycles and oust the folks that voted for the project. In fact, perhaps you could vote people in that will remove the bike lanes. If bike lanes can be painted in, they can be painted out. Meanwhile, continue to spread your misery to surrounding neighborhoods and force their residents to park farther away – it’s not as sinister as it sounds, it’s not like you have any other choice. It sounds like this Complete Streets plan is another effort to do nothing but kick the can down the road. And also, of course, to waste more taxpayer money.
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(2) comments
Relying on the government is NOT a good idea.
Here we go again… even more time and even more money to be wasted because our so-called leaders couldn’t pass up the “use it or lose it” money to subsidize union labor, with North Central drawing the short straw. Remember this treachery during the next few election cycles and oust the folks that voted for the project. In fact, perhaps you could vote people in that will remove the bike lanes. If bike lanes can be painted in, they can be painted out. Meanwhile, continue to spread your misery to surrounding neighborhoods and force their residents to park farther away – it’s not as sinister as it sounds, it’s not like you have any other choice. It sounds like this Complete Streets plan is another effort to do nothing but kick the can down the road. And also, of course, to waste more taxpayer money.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.