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Commission weighs California Drive Complete Streets options, seeks compromise on parking and protected bike lanes
Summary
Staff presented three design alternatives for California Drive Phase 3 and linked Highland street options; commissioners favored a compromise that would provide a protected northbound bike lane on California with a southbound facility on Highland to preserve some on‑street parking for businesses.
The Burlingame Traffic Safety Commission heard an update on the California Drive Complete Streets Phase 3 concepts and gave staff direction to pursue a compromise that balances protected bicycle facilities with neighborhood and business parking needs.
Mr. Wong presented three options for California Drive: (1) a road diet with protected bike lanes that would remove on‑street parking, (2) buffered bike lanes that preserve parking on one side, and (3) wider travel lanes with a class‑2 bike facility and no on‑street parking. Staff also outlined three Highland alternatives and a matrix combining California and Highland approaches (for example, northbound bikes on California paired with southbound bikes on Highland).
Commission discussion focused on parking impacts for businesses (staff estimated approximately 75 on‑street spaces in the corridor), vehicle turning and loading needs for auto‑related businesses, and cyclist safety. Several commissioners said they preferred a hybrid approach: California northbound protected facility paired with a southbound facility on Highland, with parking retained on one side of California to serve Putnam and adjacent businesses.
Commissioner Brown and others emphasized the need for a protected facility (bollards or physical separation) rather than unprotected buffered lanes. Chair Martos said the trade‑off is acceptable if staff can preserve essential parking for businesses while providing a safe, continuous bike connection to the station and San Mateo Drive.
Staff will take the feedback, refine drawings and return with a more detailed concept and outreach plan. No formal vote was taken; the item was informational and the commission asked staff to continue designing the matrix that best preserves parking while delivering a protected bicycle facility.
Quote: "A northbound bike lane on California with a southbound return on Highland feels like the right trade‑off," Chair Martos said.
Next steps: staff to refine designs, continue business outreach, and return to the commission or present at a community meeting.
