City traffic staff and consultants presented the final downtown curbside management plan Nov. 20 and the Transportation Commission voted to recommend it to City Council for adoption.

Associate traffic engineer Bridal Byrne and consultant Terrence Jao summarized the study''s data and goals: block-face mapping showed on-street parking shortages in the downtown core while municipal garages retain spare capacity, and the plan aims to improve bike/ped safety, manage commercial loading, advance sustainability and enhance downtown wayfinding and arrival experience. Byrne said the plan organizes recommended actions into a five-year action plan for items that staff can deliver with available funding and a longer-term capital/policy track for larger investments.

Based on prior feedback from the commission and council, Byrne said staff removed two controversial near-term recommendations from the plan: raising meter rates in the core and extending meter hours. Staff also removed a proposal for a staffed bicycle-repair station and clarified guidance for accommodating scooters and e-bikes. Byrne said staff will continue monitoring outcomes and pursue "opportunistic" safety and infrastructure tie-ins with capital projects.

Commissioners asked staff to study a merchant parking program that could pair downtown employers with underused private garages; Byrne said staff intend to explore shared-parking agreements with private garage operators as a near-term step. Public commenters urged expansion of east–west bike connections and a two-way bike path from the Iron Horse Trail to the BART station; staff said such corridors would be considered in follow-up studies.

The commission then voted. Commissioner Reese moved to recommend City Council adopt the curbside management plan; Commissioner Ash seconded. Roll call: Student Commissioner Kirsch Aye; Commissioner Ash Aye; Commissioner Patch Yes; Commissioner Reese Aye; Vice Chair Kreling Aye; Chair Brightman Aye. The motion passed and staff will forward the recommendation to City Council.

Next steps: staff will take the recommendation to council next month, continue outreach and monitor performance as the plan is implemented.