[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6268488,"mediaKeyId","3055337-17eed7dc839a4a8e33f0ac289a766717","parentId",3055337,"title","Atherton advances two El Camino Real complete-streets concepts after wide public safety debate","audioSeconds",2361,"startMs",3899000,"endMs",6260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3055337-17eed7dc839a4a8e33f0ac289a766717&start=3899&end=6260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3055337-17eed7dc839a4a8e33f0ac289a766717/thumbnail_3899000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268488/California/Atherton-advances-two-El-Camino-Real-complete-streets-concepts-after-wide-public-safety-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268488-e108c149162d896dad428d23ca9f9076/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436919&Signature=QS9VJ~XRyH9vsVKvdRv6EFu7yksPK5qQatYR5t4tM2oSFnmABLLHUeUXKwcLz0mWsrLjdYw~1R0fciZo6yMOOT-a9l8WQOqW0fxRtEPWndBUBg5kjoBrDwav2MHIyb2CjwtwLOFC7O~Ib~M4-YdZ3xDGuVa37lpHzl6Dyz0-sCQaQwzTt46DSSudrXcYv16Cf-aMl2v3l-V8JGCnbi2Kheil5ySOrw4espJ8l~C~tZB-z-hNnq85eoUJa6l-XSFuf9Rxu2VePNwE9awnFLO0ahWmImpYWkZVybbR8SL4-~~vF6CX3ymm3-T~KUap1cv4CjtRo6R4uoaMLaqfOMZ1-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Atherton CA","date","2025-04-19T00:23:01.593Z","article","The Town of Atherton council voted unanimously April 16 to advance two conceptual designs for the El Camino Real Complete Streets Gap Closure Study for further evaluation, project-approval documents and environmental review.

Public Works Director Robert (last name not specified in the transcript) presented a multi-phase study that narrowed seven initial alternatives to three and, following community outreach, recommended moving two concepts forward for more detailed analysis. Robert told the council, \"This is just trying for us to figure out what we would like El Camino Real to look like,\" and stressed the study is at a conceptual stage intended to feed regional planning by Caltrans, the Transportation Authority and SamTrans.

What the concepts would change:
- Concept 1 (minimal change): keep three through lanes in each direction; add constrained pedestrian facilities (4'6-foot sidewalks) and striped bike lanes.
- Concept 2 (protected multimodal): reduce vehicle capacity in places to create wider sidewalks (about 8 feet) and buffered or separated bike lanes (physically separated on-street bike facilities), trading some vehicle capacity for protection of pedestrians and cyclists.
- Concept 3 (middle-ground): a hybrid with two lanes in one direction and three in the other; staff and public feedback did not favor advancing concept 3.

Public outreach and technical findings:
- The study collected almost 500 survey responses, pop-up events and targeted outreach; overall respondents split between concepts 1 and 2, but Atherton residents showed stronger support for concept 1 (retain three lanes). The Transportation Authority and SamTrans participated in the study.
- Traffic modeling done at the conceptual level estimated that removing a lane in the commute direction would add time in the corridor; staff summarized the maximum modeled delay at about 90 seconds (one minute and a half) in the peak direction under the assumptions used (including proposed new signals and other regional changes).
- Staff noted planned regional coordination: Caltrans is conducting a multimodal corridor planning process, SamTrans and the TA may apply for project-approval and environmental documentation grants, and Redwood City and other neighboring jurisdictions are advancing parallel work on the corridor.

Public testimony: residents, bike advocates and safety organizations gave extended testimony. Representative comments included:
- Katie Beruzzi (Menlo Park resident): \"I was taking my life in my hands\" when biking on El Camino, she said, and urged safer infrastructure.
- David Pollock (safe-routes advocate): described being struck by a car while riding and urged prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist safety.
- Matt Jones (Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition): urged the council to \"choose option 2\" to prioritize children and vulnerable users and to provide protected bicycle lanes.
- Several commenters described deaths or severe injuries on El Camino and urged protected facilities rather than painted lanes.

Council discussion and decision: Council members expressed a range of views. Some emphasized resident concern about potential congestion and the need to preserve auto access; others said the modest projected delay was outweighed by safety gains and the opportunity to enable more walking and biking to school. Council member statements noted Selby Lane as a specific safety and flooding problem where the staff recommendation included pursuing funding for signalization, improved crossings and flood mitigation at the intersection.

The council motioned to advance concepts 1 and 2 for further evaluation, project-approval and environmental review. Mayor Lewis moved the motion; Council member Widmer seconded. The motion passed unanimously (yes: 4; no: 0; abstain: 0; absent: 1).

Next steps: staff will finalize the study document, continue coordination with Caltrans, SamTrans and the Transportation Authority, and pursue funding opportunities (including potential grant applications for project-approval and environmental documentation). Selby Lane intersection improvements and associated flood concerns were flagged as a near-term funding priority to pursue.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting April 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Town council voted April 16 to advance two conceptual designs for the El Camino Real Complete Streets Gap Closure Study to further evaluation and environmental review, after a multi-hour presentation, community outreach review and public testimony that stressed pedestrian and bike safety.","taxTitle","Atherton Town, San Mateo County, California","taxId",72378,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268493,"Atherton council approves $25,000 yearly contribution to OneShoreline for three years",3338,540000,3878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3055337-17eed7dc839a4a8e33f0ac289a766717&start=540&end=3878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3055337-17eed7dc839a4a8e33f0ac289a766717/thumbnail_540000.jpg","/articles/6268493/California/Atherton-council-approves-25000-yearly-contribution-to-OneShoreline-for-three-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268493-9bb3db6759090528a2c6ff865cf5bbdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436919&Signature=PBriY8OnyZOVISjQvLM4ODc7xqcgd6Ao1B2GCMFu8AUSKBGP0MaLwdYiEaLc9Tg1E-U9u18zBPJ075zHVwQAekItqDsfolptum-BstRtpzi~gpZriTkGEb2QEViC8ht4n1LSiBsj5N1b-xRPlgCqrF-qn02ZCNv7DEw71uVwIxfnILNWe7U5q43tHTfoI4kUGgdoPzCiPawmCAL~98ZyWMYWzplY93n0AqLyX4O5FkccnqvYrXSZwDD~P0JY-Xx3ivWToQ76isoaURvB-gLWej9Yw5I46rcM~Ho8bvrBFxJkpM9oQcXOczp8W898trswYT2FZUVDkCF8lBqHNpzBAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Atherton council voted unanimously April 16 to provide an operating contribution of $25,000 per year for three fiscal years (2025–26 through 2027–28) to the San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District, commonly known as OneShoreline.

OneShoreline presented its request and program overview at the meeting. Len Matterman, representing OneShoreline, described ongoing regional projects and services that he said benefit Atherton, including the Bayfront Canal/Atherton Channel project, a countywide flood early warning system of stream, rain and tide gauges, and design work focused on protecting the Silicon Valley Clean Water treatment plant. \"One Shoreline was created, the first independent government agency in California to address climate,\" Matterman said, outlining the district's work on multi-jurisdiction projects and early warning gauges that can be expanded upstream in Atherton.

Why it matters: Council members and staff framed the contribution as support for an interjurisdictional body that coordinates work across city lines and leverages grants to build and maintain flood infrastructure. OneShoreline said it has extended an initial three years of seed operating funding into nine years of activity through grants, project revenues and efficiencies but lacks a sustainable ongoing revenue stream for operations.

Key points from the presentation and discussion:
- OneShoreline described the Bayfront Canal/Atherton Channel project as a completed, multi-jurisdiction proof-of-concept that reached construction after permitting and agreements were completed; the project entered mitigation and maintenance in 2022.
- The district has a countywide flood early warning system of 32 gauges; Matterman identified a candidate gauge site upstream of the Caltrain tracks at Alameda de las Pulgas (near Palmer Park and the school) that OneShoreline's consultants estimate could be installed for roughly $20,000–$25,000 if integrated with the county system.
- Funding request structure: OneShoreline asked cities to \"mirror\" a prior three-year operating contribution. The county has already committed $750,000 per year; cities were asked to join a similar multi-year contribution program. Matterman said his board seeks a sustainable funding source and noted the district has secured roughly $30 million for project work but not ongoing operations.
- How Atherton's ask fits regional tiers: OneShoreline outlined a three-tier request by population: the largest four cities at $55,000 per year, nine mid-tier cities at $40,000 per year, and smaller cities at lower amounts; Atherton's requested contribution was $25,000 per year.

Council action and vote: Vice Mayor Holland moved to approve the request; Council member Widmer seconded. The motion passed unanimously (yes: 4; no: 0; abstain: 0; absent: 1).

What the council asked next: Several council members asked staff to continue discussions with OneShoreline about the feasibility of adding an upstream gauge and to consider the contribution within upcoming budget reviews. Matterman said OneShoreline would work with towns that decide to pursue a gauge and that the district would support project and permitting coordination with Caltrans and other agencies.

The council's vote commits Atherton to the three-year operating contribution and directs staff and OneShoreline to continue coordination on early warning gauges and project partnerships.","The Town of Atherton voted April 16 to contribute $25,000 per year for three fiscal years to the San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (OneShoreline) to support operating costs for countywide flood and resilience work.","actionData","errors"]

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Atherton advances two El Camino Real complete-streets concepts after wide public safety debate

Atherton council approves $25,000 yearly contribution to OneShoreline for three years