[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6595099,"mediaKeyId","3043020-02eedb3b8575b1c1b176c50017154789","parentId",3043020,"title","County committee forwards Active Transportation Plan to supervisors with VTA conditions, asks for clearer equity prioritization","audioSeconds",4010,"startMs",1353330,"endMs",5364000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043020-02eedb3b8575b1c1b176c50017154789&start=1353&end=5364","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043020-02eedb3b8575b1c1b176c50017154789/thumbnail_1353330.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595099/Santa-Clara-County/California/County-committee-forwards-Active-Transportation-Plan-to-supervisors-with-VTA-conditions-asks-for-clearer-equity-prioritization","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595099-cd6ccdcb570553ff5de10bdea7d03b8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136707&Signature=ETTAFJOHU-1T1ms4qXWtIZu4eYes~DmctOvnrOoF26U1KkZGRLCewuGm6k3ISlUHD2vBSm4ks4OYmlIUIY~Q70XwBd5d2bOIrnD1ps2hAie0fI~sSJfARkj6vm~LqO1uSaH~~AWJ7hx75rnOCG6R7AnNfVnwqV8MtS6E4rgc4G4uomCtbZBmx8YSCDqzzH1YAsnUZH7Or2XmjKMgGrKJej6WVVIne0QFzwOXfDhW7AIprtxvcYS4MR7xgN2dy7e~DixtsyVl0ElJsqIUqsLTshRNyQIvfRcsFyTLgueF8KwYx-pYP0Ye0ic45foIEoLuOKKUEncuG8e5YZJEWdpzVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Santa Clara County","date","2025-04-17T19:07:07.29Z","article","Santa Clara County’s Housing, Land Use, Environment and Transportation Committee on April 17 voted to forward the countywide Active Transportation Plan (ATP) to the Board of Supervisors with the conditions recommended by the Valley Transportation Authority’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (VTA BPAC) and with a request that county staff supply a clearer equity-based explanation for how corridor priorities were selected.

The recommendation followed a lengthy staff presentation and public comment from nine speakers, including members of the VTA and county advisory commissions. The plan sets countywide goals for walking, biking and rolling, recommends separated shared-use paths on high-speed expressways, and outlines steps for project-level feasibility studies and grant applications.

The ATP is intended as a general-plan–level blueprint for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure across both unincorporated county roads and the county expressway system. Roads and Airports Director Harry Freitas and Deputy Director for Infrastructure Development Chris Lamb described the plan as the result of extensive outreach across the five supervisorial districts, city staff coordination and more than 200 public comments on the draft. Lamb said the plan ‘‘represent[s] a countywide plan for the utilization of our asset in terms of roads, so that they can be used more efficiently and more comfortably and provide additional mobility to people using bikes, and walking and rolling.’’

Why it matters: committee members and commenters said the ATP could improve safety on fast, high-volume corridors that currently act as barriers between neighborhoods and to transit, but several supervisors pressed staff for clearer, data-driven linkage between inequities and the plan’s recommended priorities. Vice Chair Sylvia Arenas moved that the committee forward the plan while directing staff to explain, using an equity framework, why some corridor studies were listed for near-term work. Chair Margaret Abakowaga seconded the motion; the committee recorded both members as voting yes and the motion carried.

What the plan recommends: staff summarized five goals—equity and social justice; health, well-being and sustainability; access, connectivity and multimodal consistency; public safety and comfort; and collaboration and community partnership. The plan identifies the county expressway system as a place where separate, class 1 shared-use paths are often the only comfortable option for people walking and bicycling. As an example of the separated crossings the plan cites the Blossom Hill overcrossing over Highway 101 in San Jose.

Public comment and advisory input: the Roads Commission gave a unanimous recommendation to forward the plan to the board; Tim Hui, chair of the Roads Commission, told the committee, ‘‘The Roads Commission did approve it unanimously. We were disappointed that the BPAC couldn't see it first before us… but overall the staff did an excellent job on this active transportation plan.’’ VTA BPAC and county Roads Commission members who spoke urged adoption with BPAC’s eight conditions, including BPAC’s recommendation to require pedestrian and bicycle facilities on both sides of expressways where feasible. Betsy Magus, vice chair of VTA BPAC, said, ‘‘It's a huge challenge to accommodate biking and walking on roads that are this big and designed for this many cars and going this fast and I think this plan is a great step in the right direction.’’

Key points of debate: several supervisors and members of the public asked how corridor priorities were determined and whether equity and crash data were used to justify phasing. Vice Chair Arenas said she wanted the ATP accompanied by a clearer equity explanation before the board acts. Roads and Airports staff responded that the department is drafting an internal equity plan and that Capital Expressway in the Almaden area has been identified by staff as a high priority because it falls on the county high-injury network and on Metropolitan Transportation Commission equity maps. Director Freitas said the department plans to use the high-injury designation to strengthen future grant applications.

What happens next: staff said, if the Board of Supervisors concurs, the plan would return to the board for adoption in the May–June timeframe and that the county would implement the VTA BPAC conditions as reflected in a supplemental memo. The committee’s motion also directed staff to return with an equity explanation tied to prioritization before board consideration.

Vote and formal action: the committee recorded a roll-call approval to forward the ATP with the BPAC conditions and the requested equity explanation. The action was recorded as a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors; staff will implement the specified BPAC conditions and prepare materials for the board packet.

Background and funding: staff said the ATP is intended to increase competitiveness for state and federal bicycle/pedestrian grants by establishing a countywide policy foundation. Speakers and staff repeatedly referenced the importance of grant programs such as VTA Measure B and federal Safe Streets and Roads for All for financing design and construction.

Community reaction and next steps: supporters from cities and advocacy groups urged the county to adopt the ATP with the BPAC conditions; they emphasized maintenance, enforcement and accessible crossings. County staff committed to continuing targeted outreach, refining the plan’s prioritization methodology and using the ATP to guide feasibility studies and grant applications.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Housing, Land Use, Environment, & Transportation Committee April 17, 2025 10:00 a.m.","oneSentenceSummary","Santa Clara County’s Housing, Land Use, Environment and Transportation Committee on April 17 voted to forward the countywide Active Transportation Plan (ATP) to the Board of Supervisors with the conditions recommended by the Valley Transportation Authority’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (VTA BPAC) and with a request that county staff supply a clearer equity-based explanation for how corridor priorities were selected.","taxTitle","Santa Clara County, California","taxId",2855,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6595091,"Committee receives county budget proposals; supervisors press to protect planning staffing and seek real-estate inventory for revenue options",929,7212455,8142335,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043020-02eedb3b8575b1c1b176c50017154789&start=7212&end=8142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043020-02eedb3b8575b1c1b176c50017154789/thumbnail_7212455.jpg","/articles/6595091/Santa-Clara-County/California/Committee-receives-county-budget-proposals-supervisors-press-to-protect-planning-staffing-and-seek-real-estate-inventory-for-revenue-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595091-1c8f719a71dc8ce46eaff437b45bfffb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136707&Signature=ExtselCnN1wJQ8rB0Cr-IdUcOs6bN3whFCr9g2zFtAvPyNmr4XpZgoo8syYfIQKr3R49H3nvGAyv7x2n78RbTc1QCZP9RKFy9O4~SHAKHVzqy6Ymk0qpwUDpEW6j~qSupWj3zlAxE2ip-8eex57yGwBnx0zxuUBDxz6f8rNowOYFdOluXhpnAda6jSUphM3hnWurgoYrqq0VkL2mmjmWYbRooTxRXcYACh73UnWCD8pcdleyozqcIocDXBak3ENExSMCMkuNlCG~t3IdTFUyHnIZAYT3dMDbMgizp0Mx8p3b-wT40Yq4E5TE2lEXaQLoAedy2OPQCMVCiO77obLPqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Clara County Housing, Land Use, Environment and Transportation Committee on April 17 received a report from the County Executive on departmental budget proposals and requested follow-up on several items, including an inventory of surplus county real property and protections for planning-staff capacity if fee increases are not adopted.

Why it matters: supervisors said the county’s planning department needs adequate staffing to meet ongoing mandates, including the housing element and related planning workloads. Committee members sought assurances that proposed reductions would not materially impair the county’s ability to complete state-mandated work and other high-priority planning tasks.

What staff presented: the county executive’s office described that departments had submitted two scenarios to meet budget targets—one that depends on projected fee revenue and another (“plan B”) with proposed reductions if those revenues do not materialize. Planning Department staff and supervisors discussed a proposed $500,000 in reductions and a set of fee increases the department estimates could generate $1,380,000 if phased in; supervisors asked that the county prioritize maintaining planning capacity and that the county executive weigh cuts across departments before final decisions are made.

Board-level concerns and directions: Supervisor Sylvia Arenas asked staff to convene stakeholders and to explain how the planning department’s proposed fee increases were calibrated and what public notification would precede any changes. Several supervisors urged coordination with cities when seeking local matching funds for grants. Committee members also asked for a list of county-owned parcels and facilities to evaluate revenue or lease opportunities before permanent disposals.

Other items reported to the committee: Office of Supportive Housing acting director KJ Kaminski announced two Measure A–funded projects that recently were awarded tax credits: Lupina Apartments (98 units, including 25 permanent supportive housing units) and Magnolias in Morgan Hill (66 units, including PSH and farmworker units). Kaminski noted outreach events planned for Affordable Housing Month in May, including Measure A project tours and a May 14 panel in Gilroy. Edgar Velasco, director of SIPA, and acting Parks Director Joe Aguilar also reported on community programs and upcoming events.

Public comment and committee action: a public commenter raised concerns about equitable distribution of resources and farmworker housing; committee members responded that staff are pursuing CalAIM-related funding and coordinating with the managed-care plans. The committee moved and approved the county executive’s budget report for further consideration; supervisors recorded an aye vote and directed staff to return with more detail on fee proposals, equity plan development and a county real-estate inventory.

Next steps: the county executive’s office and departments will continue budget development, and staff agreed to return with more detailed recommendations on fee implementation, an equity framework and a summary of county-owned properties for potential revenue or lease strategies. The committee also asked that departments engage city partners when assembling grant applications.

","Committee members reviewed draft budget options and asked staff to preserve planning department capacity by pursuing fee adjustments and other revenue; the committee approved the report to continue budget deliberations and requested follow-up on an inventory of county real estate and the department equity planning process.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6595095,"Design paused on Homestead Road Safe Routes to School; VTA seeks $3–3.5M to finish design",636,5379930,6016460,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3043020-02eedb3b8575b1c1b176c50017154789&start=5379&end=6016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3043020-02eedb3b8575b1c1b176c50017154789/thumbnail_5379930.jpg","/articles/6595095/Santa-Clara-County/California/Design-paused-on-Homestead-Road-Safe-Routes-to-School-VTA-seeks-335M-to-finish-design","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595095-bfb27358be772e7caad891ef7daf0a8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136708&Signature=KDzk1HubPuxav5UzjcXblOu2qm0zCd5Zi8XXkF~84djnacX12a2KlmqZqm2L~hFT2sgisSZeKELZGejEulp3fDcYByYYQmEZuqRwKop~kFLyG890lyF5-H0b6DKZOTf9zzdcEgA0GaN05cZXEU~QFMnR8GwqXegPYpPYS-yHo4HPHPIADLUHobPaUP3fXLVE8NM8~17lhNP7sKcqm-BmNZVaT2eQQEhUg1J5Pr4WeAQWDuEyDEmewTk4o4ef3juYHHzlI5ACUrLOZdq6V-PKVi8DYSkbf2Od-9wTNBaDDslK9qf57fYv~YGPnwY9Etgxcn4X3dqZveU37V5KBkS3hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Clara County Housing, Land Use, Environment and Transportation Committee on April 17 received a semiannual report on the Homestead Road Safe Routes to School corridor, a multi-jurisdictional project serving Homestead High School, Cupertino Middle School and West Valley Elementary.

Valley Transportation Authority staff reported the project reached about 35% design before pausing because additional design funding—staff estimated at $3 million to $3.5 million—remains unfunded. VTA transportation manager Hassan Basma said, \"the reason we've now put a pause to it because of lack of fundings.\" The county and VTA are pursuing additional grant opportunities, including the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program, state funding requests and community project funding (earmarks). County intergovernmental relations staff said they submitted a state budget request to the assemblymember and senator listed on the application.

Why it matters: the corridor is used daily by students from three nearby schools and by many bicyclists and pedestrians. Staff and several public commenters described frequent unsafe crossings, gaps in sidewalks and inconsistent bike lanes; a number of speakers urged the committee to accelerate funding for final design and construction so safety improvements can be built.

Project history and status: the county initiated a feasibility study and a concept report in 2018–2019 and the board later authorized additional design funding that VTA used to advance the project to 35% design in 2024. VTA was able to secure $1.1 million in Measure B funds and county seed money but still lacks the remainder needed to finish design and environmental clearance. VTA staff said the project was not selected in a prior ATP grant cycle and that reviewers cited a low equity score and a relatively limited history of severe injuries on this specific corridor compared with other applicants.

Public and stakeholder input: county and city staff held two community meetings and coordinated with Los Altos, Sunnyvale and Cupertino; school representatives and local advocates reiterated the corridor’s hazards. Charlene Liu, chair of Sunnyvale Safe Streets and a Safe Routes to School parent lead, told the committee she had personally observed ‘‘serious hazards’’ including students crossing a five-lane high-speed road midblock and inconsistency in bike lanes and sidewalks.

Funding steps under way: the county’s Intergovernmental Relations team said it submitted a state budget request to the named legislators and is applying for federal community project funding; VTA staff said they will explore other competitive grant cycles and will ask the adjacent cities about contributing toward completing design so the project can move forward. County and VTA staff also asked school districts to participate in outreach and planning to ensure designs meet student travel patterns.

Vote and action: the report was received by the committee; no formal construction authorization was taken. Committee members discussed convening stakeholders to coordinate matching funds and urged continued pursuit of grant opportunities.

Next steps: VTA will continue to pursue grants and local contributions, and county staff said they will return to the committee in six months with a status update on funding and design progress.

","The committee received a semiannual update on the Homestead Road Safe Routes to School corridor. VTA completed 35% design but paused work because of a funding shortfall; VTA and county staff are pursuing state and federal grants and federal earmarks and asked cities for matching support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County committee forwards Active Transportation Plan to supervisors with VTA conditions, asks for clearer equity prioritization

Committee receives county budget proposals; supervisors press to protect planning staffing and seek real-estate inventory for revenue options

Design paused on Homestead Road Safe Routes to School; VTA seeks $3–3.5M to finish design