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