Outdated Data from 2014

The traffic data for CTC was gathered in 2014. Traffic has significantly increased on the coast in recent years, so 6+ year-old data was not an appropriate guide. Furthermore, evacuation plans for a major wildfire or other disaster were not included in the CTC. 

 

Process was Rushed / Limited Public Participation

The CTC was presented by the County in conjunction with MidPen Housing's massive Cypress Point project in Moss Beach. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the community and the Midcoast Community Council (MCC) called for a postponement of major projects until in-person public participation can be assured and true sources of funds are known. But the County ignored these requests. The County’s virtual public meetings that were held in the Summer of 2020 were inadequate and lacked broad participation. Further, public input was time-limited and was not fully or accurately captured by facilitators who lacked knowledge of the San Mateo County coastside. Why was the Connect the Coastside process rushed at a time when public participation was limited?

 

Moss Beach / Montara Corridor Proposals are Unsatisfactory:

Moss Beach received special attention in CTC as residents will have to deal with two large scale developments: Big Wave (large commercial office park already approved with an estimated 1500 daily car trips) and Cypress Point (proposed large scale housing development with an estimated 500 daily car trips). 

 

The Moss Beach corridor will be highly impacted by various CTC measures on Highway 1 and the County proposes to significantly alter Moss Beach neighborhood roads. The County has indicated in presentations that these proposals run in conjunction with the proposed Cypress Point development. However, significant pieces with high preliminary costs are projected to be beyond the 5 year window. Early feedback on these Midcoast roundabout vs traffic light options indicate incomplete analysis on feasibility from both Caltrans participation and consideration of water and sewer pipeline locations. Cost estimates and timing need to be reasonably credible and they are not in this draft.

  

Where’s the Funding?

Connect the Coastside includes cost estimates which are eye-popping, with no committed funding. Preliminary cost estimates run up to over $150 million. Funding options are discussed, however costs for land acquisitions, grading, retaining walls, etc., are not included. Furthermore, proposed measures divert current traffic flow onto neighborhood roads resulting in more Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT), increased congestion, unsafe neighborhood roads, and dangers for pedestrians. These options appear intended to provide mitigation for the significant traffic issues caused by MidPen’s Cypress Pt development; they offer little benefit to the current community and yet MidPen’s “fair share” of the required funding is undefined. Who will pay for these measures?

  

Buildout is not Sustainable

Connect the Coastside is presented as a plan to help mitigate the effects of buildout on the coast and maintain public accessibility. However, the Midcoast’s current Local Coastal Program (LCP) identifies that buildout as detailed is not sustainable. Half Moon Bay recognizes this in their recent LCP revision. In order to reduce the impact of buildout, a very significant piece of the CTC plan is to develop a lot-retirement program. Unfortunately, this program has not been initiated. In fact, recent changes to County regulations encourage Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), further increasing residential density and accelerating an unsustainable future. Expansion of public transit is another important goal but this, too, is stalled and unlikely to be addressed in this current pandemic outlook.

 

San Mateo County has introduced a new measure, Traffic Flow, as an alternative to Delay Index. The Delay Index (based on LOS) under build-out conditions in the draft CTC report from 2016 showed all RED from HMB to Montara. The revised Traffic Flow index provides the opportunity to calculate an "acceptable" index within the target range for parts of the Coastside under build-out conditions in 2040. This new measure allows conversion of the Red Delay Index color to mostly Green or Yellow.