City of San Mateo
City Council Meeting
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PUBLIC COMMENT
1 From: Bill Piedemonte < >
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2025 11:57 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Train noise
Please, please, please do everything in your power to stop the incessant train horns.
We live at Gramercy on the Park and have to pause the tv when the trains go by.
Anything you can do will be appreciated
William Piedemonte
1 From: John Weinrich < >
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2025 12:44 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: San Mateo Train Quiet Zone Project
Hi San Mateo City Council,
I want to email to express my strong support for the Train Quiet Zone! I hope we can reach an agreement with the federal government, and if we really need to close/modify some crossings, then that's what we'll have to do - I think it's worth it.
Thank you,
John Wenrich
San Mateo Resident
1 From: Chris Brousseau < >
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2025 10:33 AM
To: Lisa Diaz Nash
Cc: City Council (San Mateo); Cronin Marylou
Subject: Support for Caltrain Quiet Zone - Request for Pedestrian-Only Crossing Alternative Dear Ms. Nash and Members of the San Mateo City Council,
I am wriƟng to express my strong support for establishing a Caltrain Quiet Zone in San Mateo. The increased frequency of electric train service has made this issue more pressing than ever for residents living near the rail corridor.
While I appreciate the City's efforts to advance this important iniƟaƟve, I have serious concerns about the current proposals for Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue crossings. The plan to close Villa Terrace enƟrely and install medians at East Bellevue Avenue would significantly impact residents living immediately adjacent to these crossings, parƟcularly regarding driveway access and community connecƟvity.
I urge the City to explore an alternaƟve soluƟon that has not been adequately considered: converƟng both Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue to pedestrian and bicycle-only crossings while eliminaƟng train horn requirements at these locaƟons.
**Key Regulatory ClarificaƟon Needed:**
According to 49 CFR 222.27 (see link below),the federal Train Horn Rule explicitly states: "This rule does not require the rouƟne sounding of locomoƟve horns at pedestrian grade crossings." The regulaƟon only requires horn sounding at pedestrian crossings where state law mandates it. California has no state law requiring rouƟne train horns at pedestrian crossings.
The federal regulaƟons clearly disƟnguish between "public highway-rail grade crossings" (where vehicles cross) and "pedestrian grade crossings" (where only pedestrians and bicycles cross). Pedestrian crossings within quiet zones require only:
- DiagnosƟc team evaluaƟon
- Appropriate safety treatments (gates, bells, warning signs) - Signs advising pedestrians that train horns are not sounded
This pedestrian-only approach would:
1. Maintain criƟcal community connecƟvity for walking and biking 2. Eliminate the need for concrete medians that would prevent residents from using their own driveways 3. Achieve the quiet zone objecƟves without the severe access restricƟons of full closures 4. Comply fully with federal safety requirements
**Formal Request:**
I respecƞully request that:
1. Each City Council member review the following criƟcal resources:
- The Transbay CoaliƟon arƟcle discussing San Mateo's quiet zone efforts and the regulatory framework for pedestrian crossings: hƩps://www.transbaycoaliƟon.org/san-mateo-residents-pursue-quiet-zones-while-projects-advance-in-palo- alto-and-menlo-park/
2 - The federal regulaƟon 49 CFR 222.27 clarifying treatment of pedestrian crossings: hƩps://www.ecfr.gov/current/Ɵtle- 49/subƟtle-B/chapter-II/part-222/subpart-B/secƟon-222.27
2. City Staff provide a wriƩen response explaining either:
- How the federal regulaƟons would enable pedestrian-only crossings at Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue without train horn requirements, OR
- The specific regulatory basis that would require Caltrain to conƟnue using horns at pedestrian-only crossings, despite clear federal regulaƟons staƟng otherwise
The arƟcle notes that San Mateo residents have already pointed out that "federal regulaƟons for train horns at public highway-rail grade crossings do not apply to pedestrian crossings" and that "no state law in California requires rouƟne train horns at pedestrian crossings either." I believe that other staƟons like Hayward Park already demonstrate that pedestrian crossings can operate safely with gates, bells, and warning systems without rouƟne horn use. If it turns out that Caltrain is currently sounding horns at Hayward Park - then I ask that City Council take acƟon to stop this Caltrain pracƟce where not required by law.
Before proceeding with permanent closures that will significantly impact the neighborhood's connecƟvity and residents' property access, the City must thoroughly invesƟgate this pedestrian-only alternaƟve that appears to be fully supported by federal regulaƟons.
Thank you for your aƩenƟon to this criƟcal quality-of-life issue. I look forward to the City's wriƩen response addressing the regulatory framework for pedestrian-only crossings.
Sincerely,
Chris
Christopher Brousseau
1 From: Francie < >
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2025 8:48 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Establish railroad Quiet Zone!
Dear City Council Members,
My husband and I are residents of Central San Mateo and unfortunately hear the train noise every day and night.
We are in favor of establishing a railroad Quiet Zone in San Mateo, which involves closing both street crossings at Villa Terrace and East Belleview Avenue.
Train noise and its negative impacts have been a topic for many years in San Mateo and it is time to take some concrete steps towards dealing with this issue. As a start, please move forward in establishing a Quiet Zone which would enhance the lives of many San Mateo residents.
Thank you for moving forward with this issue.
Tom & Francie Souza
Sent from my iPhone
1 From: Sigalle R Michael < >
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2025 11:50 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk; Amir Michael
Subject: Train Quiet Zone Project Comment
Hello,
My name is Sigalle Michael, I am a commissioner on the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission, but am writing to you as a San Mateo resident. I would like to strongly urge you not to close pedestrian and bicycle accessibility on E. Bellevue for the train quiet zone project. E. Bellevue is one of few pathways to San Mateo High School from the westside, and closing it will discourage students from walking/biking to school. This proposal seems to conflict with the City's effort to improve Safe Routes to School and overall pedestrian and bicycle access to SMHS.
Thank you for your consideration,
~Sigalle Michael