San Bruno unveils 'Clear Path' plan to speed sidewalk repairs and recover costs from property owners

San Bruno public works staff introduced "Clear Path," a streamlined sidewalk‑repair program that pairs lower‑cost methods with a cost‑recovery process under existing municipal code.

Public Works Director Matt Lee framed the program as an effort to reduce trip hazards, accelerate repairs and limit liability exposure. Principal Civil Engineer Dalia Manawz and Assistant Engineer Jake Zang described the two primary repair methods: shaving (horizontal saw cutting) that grinds down uneven concrete and full remove‑and‑replace (RNR). Jake Zang said shaving is most effective for vertical offsets up to about 1.5 inches and gave a representative cost comparison: the transcript used a worked example with shaving at about $150 versus roughly $1,900 for a full replacement, noting shaving can be around 13 times cheaper in appropriate locations.

Staff presented a 2014 assessment that identified roughly 12,000 sidewalk locations needing attention with an estimated total replacement cost of about $5.2 million. Under the Clear Path approach—using shaving wherever feasible and limiting full replacements to severe cases—staff estimated an overall program cost on the order of $7 million compared with roughly $18.5 million if only full RNR methods were used; staff also presented a pilot (about 300 locations) completed in early 2023 with positive results.

Dalia Manawz explained the cost‑recovery mechanics under existing code: after notice to property owners, if owners do not proceed the city will perform repairs (prioritizing shaving) and then prepare a report of actual costs that goes to council for a hearing. If costs are confirmed and unpaid, the city may record a lien on the property to collect through property taxes. Staff said property owners may choose to work directly with the city's contractor at pre‑negotiated bid pricing with the encroachment fee waived, or hire a private contractor of their choosing; staff emphasized outreach and a phased rollout focused on ADA‑sensitive corridors and high‑priority zones.

Council members asked about contractor procurement, durability of shaving versus replacement, liability if an incident occurs before repairs, and whether a homeowner can decline shaving in favor of full replacement. The City Attorney clarified that general pedestrian liability for a city sidewalk rests with the city; property owners remain responsible under municipal code for repairs in front of their property, except where damage is caused by a city tree or utility.

What’s next: staff will procure contractors, notify priority‑zone property owners, begin initial repair waves, conduct a citywide assessment (expected fall/winter 2025) and return to council with findings and recommendations on program expansion and cost recovery.