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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 1960.12.03CITY OF BURLINGAME PIA14NING COMMISSION December 3. 1960 The Planning Commission called a special meeting for the purpose of presenting the plans of the proposed Rapid Transit System to the City of Burlingame. The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. on the above date v Planning Commission Chairman Diederichsen presiding. PROS NT : Commissioners: Diederichsen Kindig Martin Moore Norberg Members of Rapid Transit Board: Counoilmen: Johnson Lorenz Morgan Bertini Hunter Norman Hanson, Project Supervisor, Wilsey, Ham and Blair Mr. Wallach, Engineer, Wilsey, Ham and Blair Richard Shepard, Engineer, Rapid Transit System George Marr, City Engineer George Mann, City Planner Burress Karmel, City Attorney Chairman Diederichsen introduced those present, Mayor Dorgan read a letter of the Century Highway Committee of the Chamber of Commerce dated March 29, 1957, which proposed that the carline right-of-way be used for a state highway through the north city areas. The meeting proceeded generally as follows; Shepard; told of the background of the Transit District and of the studies which had been Dade. Physical plans are being sub- mitted to every governmental agency which is affected. Any meritorious suggestions for changes will be carefully considered. After all studies are completed, the final plan will be presented to the people in the form of a bond issue vote. Kindig; discussed methods of processing any suggested changes. Supervisors will hold the only legal public hearing at which time objections or suggestions may be made. Shepard; explained further the methods by which changes may be hoard. f, Marr; Minor poysical changes such as street routings or locations which did not affect the financial structure could be made at a later date. Lorenz; suggested that a route approximating the proposed Junipero Serra "Route A" would be closer to the people to be served by a rapid transit system, Shepard; Since the system is for high-speed transportation, there will be a tilde distance between stations and the people must provide their own local transport. This is the mason for the large parking lots at each station. Mrs. Johnson; asked questions about the methods by which the finance ng.would be accomplished. If any county generally voted against the proposals would the county vote kill the entire plan? Shepard; Not necessarily, but the affirmative vote of 2/3 is required for the bond issue and a large negative vote in a county might have the effect of defeating the bond Issue proposal. Marr; asked about the area and extent of the :proposed parking lot in Burlingame, Shepard; The lot would be along California Drive between Floribunda and Bellevue Avenues and would contain approximately 150,000 square feet. Hanson; described the route as it passes through Burlingame. The tracks will use the westerly portion of the Southern Pacific right-of-way and much of the street oar right-of-way. High speed makes it necessary that there be no grade crossings so that all crossing streets must be closed. Grade separation structures will be built at Broadway, Oak Grove, Howard and Peninsula Avenues. These structures cost about $1,000,000000 each on an average and take considerable space so there cannot be a structure at every street. Burlingame is fortunate in that ti'lere are few streets that must be closed. Every street would be open if the entire: rapid transit line were on an elevated structure 'but the opposition to svch an elevated line is widespread throughout the county, It would never be possible with such a structure to provide grade separation with the Southern Pacific railroad except by costly underpasses. The average distance 'between grade separation structures Is one mile but is much less in Burlingame,. Necessary structures to provide for passage of pedestrians may be added if valid, -2- Norberg; sdhat is the relative cost' of an elevated line to the line at grade plus the separation structure.,. Hanson; Approximately the same. Marr; If the line is elevated, we would never be able to eliminate the separation of traffie and. the Southern Pacific railroad. Diederichsen; The city will have the prob'em of caring for the traffic on the .feeder streets. Hanson; Some portions of these streets will be Included as an obli- gation of the District but the city will have to meet other -problems. Moore; Would much property be acquired? Would the city lose much property from its tax rolls? Hanson; Some properties must be taken since grade separation struo- tures require much space but Burlingame will. lose less than most cities beeause the car -lies property is an existing right-of-way. Morgan; Mould the possibility of widening California Drive be lost? Marr; This matter was called to the attention of the engineers, lie have a cross-section drawing showing that California Drive can be widened 24 feet or two fast: lanes of 12 feet each. Shepard; The rapid transit trains are intended to move people in both directions, north and south, at frequent intervals at all hours. Studies show that large amounts of traffic can be expected from Burlingame to the south as well as to San Francisco. It is feasible to run twenty-four hours of the day. Through trains will also go directly to the cast Flay from this area. Santa Clara County is considering joining the District but present plans end at the San Mateo County line. Wilaoh; explained the grade sepa m tion structures, studies of traffic movements, traffic signRlization, methods of con- struction, landscaping. Shepard; said that any suggestions should be made both to the Board of Supervisors for the publid*hea ring and the District. Meeting adjourned. Notes by (AMann