Item No. 8
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – REGULAR AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
FROM: ROBERT OVADIA, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: MAY 21, 2025
SUBJECT: PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION REGARDING INTERIM
IMPROVEMENTS ALONG DESIGNATED BICYCLE AND
PEDESTRIAN ROUTES ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council review and provide feedback and direction to staff regarding interim improvements along designated bicycle and pedestrian routes to be required along the frontages of development projects.
BACKGROUND
The Town of Atherton adopted its first Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan in July 2014. Since that time, the Town has been responsible for implementing improvements. With the size and scale of development in Town, it is recommended that frontage improvements associated with certain developments include consideration and accommodation of the improvements along the designated routes.
The Town’s Encroachment Ordinance (12.04) generally limits the construction of impervious areas in the right-of-way, with the exception of those needed for ingress and egress to the property (pedestrian and vehicular). The Ordinance restricts the placement of obstructions (boulders, logs, curbs, etc.) such that they are not placed within 6 feet of the improved right-of-way. Similarly, mailboxes, keypads, and trees (when fully mature) shall also be placed at least 6-feet from the improved right-of-way. Landscaping height within the first 3 feet of the improved right-of-way is limited to 5-inches. Landscaping height between 3 and 6 feet from the improved right-of-way is limited to 36-inches.
Though the 2014 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan designates bicycle routes, it did not define the specific improvements and associated impacts along each route, leaving the design of the improvements to a future date.
Interim Frontage Improvements along Designated Routes
MAY 21, 2025
Most full-site and substantial development projects include the relandscaping of the property frontage. Often, this includes landscaping and other improvements within the first 6-feet of the right-of-way that could be impacted by future implementation of the designated bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
Often, jurisdictions require implementation of frontage improvements as defined in various planning documents and standards as part of development projects. For Atherton, those frontage improvements would be triggered consistent with the 2014 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
However, the Town is in the process of updating its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan in its 2025 Active Transportation Plan. Certain corridors were designated as Class II bicycle routes and the Council has placed development of these Class II routes on hold pending the 2025 Update.
However, there are developments occurring along these corridors and clarity is desired regarding staff review of encroachment applications associated with frontage improvements for these fullsite and substantial development projects.
ANALYSIS
As noted above, full-site and substantial development projects typically include the complete relandscaping of the property frontage. Other than limiting placement of impervious surfaces and obstructions (curbs, logs, rocks, trees, mailboxes and keypads), landscaping is permitted as long as it is in compliance with the height limitations. Bio-treatment facilities, when required along the frontage, is typically located a minimum of 4-feet from the improved roadway.
These frontage improvements are often in scale with overall development of the property and pose a potential obstruction to future improvement of the right-of-way to accommodate future implementation of bicycle and pedestrian improvements. As the design of designated bikeways and pedestrian facilities are not fully developed, some accommodation is needed to allow for construction of these improvements, while reducing impacts to frontage improvements and green infrastructure installed with these development projects.
The general width of sidewalks/walkways is recommended at 5 feet, with a minimum width of 4- feet, and wider widths preferred. Class II (buffered) bikeways are recommended with a minimum width of 7-8 feet, with a minimum width of 5 feet without a buffer. If there is a gutter along the roadway, it is recommended to be relocated between the bike lane and the pedestrian facility. A Class I (mixed use) facility is recommended with a minimum width of 10 feet, with 2-foot shoulders and separation from the vehicular travel lanes. It is expected that street parking will not be available in areas where walkways are present, unless such walkways are sufficiently separated from the vehicular lanes to accommodate parking.
In consideration of the current efforts to update the Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan with the Active Transportation Plan, and the potential shift in priories for the street right-of-way, implementation of both bicycle and pedestrian facilities along project frontages is difficult without a general configuration and layout of the improvements. In the interim, it is recommended that full-site and substantial development be required to implement some minimum standard of improvement and set back any substantial obstruction, a minimum distance from the edge of the improved roadway. Though this would not eliminate the potential need for removal/reconstruction Interim Frontage Improvements along Designated Routes
MAY 21, 2025
of frontage improvements to implement the final plan, it would limit substantial barriers, while providing interim facilities.
At this time, it is recommended that the setbacks for mailboxes, trees, call boxes and bio-treatment facilities along these designated routes (currently Atherton Avenue and Selby Lane) be located a minimum of 10 feet from the edge of the improved roadway (back of gutter). It is further recommended that there be construction of a stable pathway, 5-feet in width, along the property frontage. The pathway should be constructed of a firm and stable surface, complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and be either pervious or draining to a stormwater treatment area, complying with Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit C.3 guidelines, which treats the entire property frontage. The height of vegetation should be limited to 5-inches for a minimum of 5 feet behind the new walkway.
If the development wishes to have street parking along the frontage, the street parking surface shall be pervious, consistent with current code requirements. The walkway noted prior, should be located between the street parking and the property line; not between the parking and the edge of improved roadway. The location of the walkway may meander around heritage trees or other obstructions, such as utility poles.
Council feedback is needed regarding frontage improvements along the designated bicycle and pedestrian routes, as there is a subdivision project that was approved along Atherton Avenue that was required to implement frontage improvements along Atherton Avenue as a condition of their approval. Future projects on the street would be required to develop their frontage to the same standard until the Council approves an alternate configuration of the roadway with approval of the updated Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT
None at this time.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal A - Preserve Small Town Character & Quality of Life • Goal D - Be Forward Thinking
• Goal E - Maintain and Improve Public Infrastructure
POLICY FOCUS
The policy focus for this item is regarding construction regulations associated with development and redevelopment projects – particularly frontage improvement requirements on designated routes.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Interim Frontage Improvements along Designated Routes
MAY 21, 2025
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission
ATTACHMENTS
None.