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Residents and businesses oppose East Lewelling Boulevard corridor project over right‑of‑way, parking and safety concerns
Summary
Public Works' $12 million East Lewelling Boulevard corridor reconstruction — including the county's first class‑4 elevated bike lane — drew strong local opposition over alleged property impacts, insufficient outreach and construction safety; Public Works said most work is within the surveyed public right‑of‑way and offered one‑on‑one meetings and a July update.
A long and sometimes heated public comment period at the May 28 Unincorporated Services Committee meeting centered on the East Lewelling Boulevard corridor reconstruction, a $12 million project intended to add ADA ramps, a protected class‑4 bikeway, standardized driveways and sidewalks across a 0.7‑mile corridor.
Deputy Director Amber Lowe of the Public Works Agency described the project’s elements and schedule — outreach beginning in 2019, phased construction with substantial completion anticipated in spring 2026, and roughly 84 "permit to enter" requests issued to property owners to conform private driveways at the county's expense. The agency said the project is funded by an ATP grant and local funds and is intended to improve safety and walkability.
During public comment dozens of residents and business owners pressed multiple complaints: they said they were blindsided by work on their frontages, described incomplete or hazardous driveway conforming that left steep grades and drainage issues, complained about lost parking and delivery access for longstanding businesses, and alleged the county had "taken" portions of their yards without compensation. Some speakers reported towings or work proceeding after they attempted to revoke permission to enter private property.
Public Works Director Daniel Alderson responded that project surveys, historical Caltrans relinquishment maps and county deeds show the work is being constructed within the public right‑of‑way in nearly all cases; he said two property owners revoked previously granted permissions to enter and that revocation means the county will not perform conforming work on private properties and the property owner would bear that future cost. Alderson also said the agency had documentation of outreach and private surveys that corroborate the county's maps and committed to one‑on‑one meetings with concerned owners and to review construction safety complaints with the contractor.
Speakers raised safety concerns about open trenches, exposed rebar, drainage and traffic control during construction; Public Works acknowledged construction inconveniences, said it has daily inspectors on site and pledged to press the contractor on safety and signage. Several speakers asked why utility poles remain in the bike lane footprint; staff said pole relocations are performed by utilities and will occur after new poles are installed and utilities transfer lines.
Supervisor Tam and Supervisor Miley urged more thorough one‑on‑one outreach for property owners who do not understand property lines and suggested the committee receive a status update in July. No formal board action was taken on the project that evening; Public Works committed to follow up individually with residents and to return to the committee with a progress report.
