Item No. 7
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: JULY 15, 2026
SUBJECT: PROVIDE DIRECTED FEEDBACK ON THE ACTIVE
TRANSPORTATION PLAN (BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN
MASTER PLAN) UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council discuss the proposed policy recommendations associate with the Active Transportation Plan and provide directed feedback to finalize the recommendations for incorporation into the final draft document that will return for formal review and adoption.
Specifically, staff recommends that the Council provide feedback on the three proposed policies (Frontage Improvement Requirements, Design Standards, and Daylighting) and staff’s recommendation for amendment to the prioritization methodology (removal of 2014 Bike and Ped points).
BACKGROUND
The Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan serves as the primary policy making and planning document outlining the needs and priorities as they relate to active transportation needs, for physical improvements as well as in setting policies and programs needed to support active transportation. The policies and priorities listed in the Master Plan, as adopted by Council, set policy direction for staff and create the prioritized list of projects for future implementation through the Town’s Capital Improvement Program. The Master Plan is used to communicate needs and priorities with our community, neighboring jurisdictions, the County, MTC and the State. The improvements outlined in local master plans are used and often reflected in county, regional, and state planning documents.
Eligibility for various funding opportunities, require that the Town have a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Active Transportation Plan, or similar document outlining community needs and priorities, and that projects be listed in the plan to be eligible for funding. Similarly, the staff uses the Master Plan document and references as supporting documentation when applying for grants and other funding opportunities.
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These Master Plans are living documents and are required to be updated regularly. The Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan serves as the primary policy making and planning document outlining the needs and priorities as they relate to active transportation needs, for physical improvements as well as in setting policies and programs needed to support active transportation.
The policies and priorities listed in the Master Plan, as adopted by Council, set policy direction for staff and create the prioritized list of projects for future implementation through the Town’s Capital Improvement Program. The Master Plan is used to communicate needs and priorities with our community, neighboring jurisdictions, the County, MTC and the State. The improvements outlined in local master plans are used and often reflected in county, regional, and state planning documents.
Eligibility for various funding opportunities, require that the Town have a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Active Transportation Plan, or similar document outlining community needs and priorities, and that projects be listed in the plan to be eligible for funding. Similarly, the staff uses the Master Plan document and references as supporting documentation when applying for grants and other funding opportunities.
These Master Plans are living documents and are required to be updated regularly. These updates are needed to recognize accomplishments, implemented improvements, to revisit and confirm community needs that may have changed, and update priorities. Best practices indicate that Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans should be updated approximately every 5 years. This is consistent with the San Mateo County Grand Jury report titled “Bike Safety in San Mateo County: Making Bicycling Safer in the County,” which recommended that each city, town, and unincorporated SMC update or generate a new Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (or Active Transportation Plan) if their plan was older than five years.
Atherton adopted its first Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan in November 2014. In January 2025, the Town executed a contract with Alta Planning + Design, Inc. (Alta) to begin work on an update to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, now called the Atherton Active Transportation Plan (ATP).
The development of the Active Transportation Plan began with a review and analysis of existing conditions and documents, as well as public outreach to understand community needs, issues and concerns. The initial (Phase 1) public outreach efforts consisted of tabling at the Town’s Earth Day Festival, development of an online survey and interactive webmap, as well as direct emails from members of the public. Based on the results of this Phase 1 public outreach effort, the project team developed draft network recommendations and alternatives. These results were presented to the Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee meeting on September 30, 2025, along with a summary of Phase 1 activities prior to initiation of the Phase 2 of public outreach.
Following the September 2025 Committee meeting, the project team initiated Phase 2 of outreach. This included a pop-up at the Town’s Halloween Spooktacular, three neighborhoodfocused meetings held at Town Hall, an online survey, and emails from the public. The project team analyzed the input received and developed updated network recommendations. Additionally, Active Transportation Plan
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the team developed policies and programs as well as recommended prioritization methodology for proposed improvements.
On March 24, 2026, the Committee received a report and presentation of the Phase 2 public engagement efforts, feedback received, and had an opportunity to review and discuss the results of the engagement efforts, the network recommendations, and recommended policies and programs.
On June 4, 2026, the Council and Committee received a presentation on public outreach efforts and recommendations on the proposed bicycle and pedestrian networks to be included in the Active Transportations Plan.
On July 1, 2026, the Council and Committee received a presentation on the intersection locations to be included in the Active Transportation Plan, as well as the current and proposed programs to educate and support Active Transportation.
ANALYSIS
This meeting is intended to present, and receive feedback, at a high level regarding potential policies related to the development and implementation of the Active Transportation network.
These policy recommendations would be listed in the Plan as potential policies, outlining a policy goal, of which the details would be further developed over time as directed by the Council.
PROGRAMS AND POLICIES
The project team has also developed DRAFT non-infrastructure recommendations that support and complement the engineering and infrastructure improvements of the Town of Atherton’s Active Transportation Plan. The program recommendations were discussed at the July 1, 2026, Joint Study Session with the Committee. The following draft policy recommendations are intended as goals for future policy development. The Statements of Policy below would replace those listed within the draft plan. Specific policies (i.e. ordinances, or the specifics detailed policies, etc.) would not be included in the Active Transportation Plan. Rather, the Plan would include the highlevel policy direction that the policies would be developed in the future, over time, through an appropriate public process.
1. Frontage Improvement Requirements (two specific policies) The recommendation is to evaluate current policies and review where/when implementation of frontage improvements may be required associated with property development activities. These policies can take the form of Ordinances such as those that currently exist in AMC 17.35.030.E.8 for RM-10 Districts, Streetscape Design; requirements for frontage improvement based on a threshold of development (i.e. full site development, 50% site development, or full frontage improvements; or the consideration of in-lieu fees as part of the development process. There are two proposed broad policies.
Statement of Policy: Evaluate opportunities to require frontage improvements where appropriate.
Active Transportation Plan
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This policy would task staff to conduct a review of planning documents, building codes, development permit requirements and ordinances in order to create potential development policies to facilitate the construction of or financial contribution toward bicycle and pedestrian facilities through the development permitting process, particularly along key routes, accessing schools, multi-family areas and supporting key transit stops. Any proposed policies or ordinances would ultimately return to the City Council for consideration before implementation.
Statement of Policy: Evaluate opportunities to create a development fee whereby new development projects would contribute toward active transportation improvements, such as accessible walking paths and biking facilities, where appropriate.
This policy would task staff to research the possibility of a developer fee ordinance and return the ordinance for Council consideration. Any proposed policies or ordinances would ultimately return to the City Council for consideration before implementation.
2. Update Street Design Standards
Statement of Policy: Develop design standards for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure within the Town’s right-of-way.
This policy would task staff with development of design standards for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that would be used when implementing any bicycle and pedestrian facility within the Town’s right-of-way. The standards would provide consistency of requirements and would be designed to be context sensitive to protect the Town’s semi-rural character. Once developed, the standards would be reviewed and updated on a regular cycle (every five years) to incorporate best practices from Caltrans, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), and other leading agencies to ensure safe, modern, and effective facilities. Any proposed policies or ordinances would ultimately return to the City Council for consideration before implementation.
3. Daylighting
Statement of Policy: Develop policies or ordinances to ensure compliance with State law (California Vehicle Code Section 22500).
The California Vehicle Code prohibits people from parking, stopping, or leaving a motor vehicle unattended within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present. The Town’s Ordinances need to be amended to bring them into compliance. The policy and/or ordinance would address compliance with the Vehicle Code in areas where the Town has crosswalks. This could include painted curbs (if applicable), curb extensions, and/or signage as appropriate. Any proposed policies or ordinances would ultimately return to the City Council for consideration before implementation.
PRIORITIZATION
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The Active Transportation Plan also includes a draft planning-level assessment of prioritization methodology. The prioritization methodology must consider what is realistic (given historic and anticipated funding) while providing the Town with flexibility to respond to changing conditions and opportunities that may arise in the future. The prioritization must also balance community feedback and address safety and connectivity. Prioritization is not done at this point in the Master Plan; but, the methodology is included in the Plan for feedback on one particular issue.
The proposed methodology is a weighted prioritization process with three key goals: Roadway Safety, Network Cohesiveness and Connectivity, and Funding and Implementation. High-priority projects are recommended for implementation within 0-2 years, Medium-priority projects are recommended for within 3-5 years, and Opportunity projects are recommended for implementation beyond 5 years. Rankings are not intended to be a final list, but rather a guide for decision-makers to select projects.
Staff recommends one change to the proposed priority setting methodology. Within the Funding and Implementation Section, up to 10 points are allotted for projects that are listed within the top 15 ranked projects from the 2014 Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan. Because most of these projects have either been accomplished, been removed, or are already slated for consideration in the ATP Update, staff recommends removing this criteria. The points would be spread across other components of the methodology. This would apply to both bicycle and pedestrian projects.
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
Policy focus of this item relates to forward planning of the desired Active Transportation Plan Network in the Town of Atherton.
PUBLIC NOTICE
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 Active Transportation Plan
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Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
Transportation Committee (meets every other month)
ATTACHMENTS
1. Programs and Policies
2. Prioritization Methodology