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Overpass and eminent domain

You have a chance to voice your concerns to our Burlingame Council on Monday, December 5th, at 7pm. Burlingame City Hall.

Between 26-50 parcels along the San Mateo-Burlingame border will need to be acquired for construction of new southbound on-and-off ramps at 101 and Peninsula Avenue, slated to begin in 2022. Pictured here are the two alternatives the city of San Mateo prefers, both involve partial or complete loss of any parcel marked in full or in part by purple crosshatching. The new barrier at Poplar is considered only temporary, and will be removed, and the ramps shut down entirely, when these ramps are compete. The project estimates range in price from $56M -$70M of which $24-$36M is to cover property acquisition ($90 per sq. ft. + $30 sq. Ft. demolition); relocation assistance- 3% of total acquisition cost. This presentation will be given to Burlingame by San Mateo staff. 

This issue seems to keep coming back despite the fact that at the many meetings over the years, many of which I have attended, the overwhelming majority of people also in attendance has been that this project should not happen. Why is it then that the project is marching forward? Please attend this meeting if you feel the way many do that the impacts of this project outweigh its merits.

Here is a link to the City of San Mateo documents

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41 responses to “Overpass and eminent domain”

  1. Laura

    For residents in the Lyon Hoag area, this will truly affect our quality of life. Our neighborhood will become a traffic thoroughfare from cars rushing to the freeway. Bayswater,Howard, Bloomfield, Dwight, Peninsula and the side streets will see significant increase in traffic. Please plan on attending this meeting and voicing your concerns. Once construction starts, IT WILL BE TOO LATE to do anything about it.

  2. This seems like a good project.

    This seems like a good project.
    Now, what will the City of San Mateo eventually do with that Golf Course that they’re planning to close across 101?

  3. Joe

    Probably allow something to be built for which there is never going to be enough water or freeway capacity to support.

  4. Laura

    I had not heard that San Mateo has decided to close the golf course and do more over building then they have already done! San Mateo is out of control and to take away the golf course and over build more is disheartening. We need green space and places for outdoor activities. We do not need another office building! As Joe stated above, we have no freeway capacity, nor water to support it. People need to wake up and tell their cities what they think of these projects or the quality of life that we all enjoy, will be gone!

  5. The future of Poplar Creek?

    It’s not a great place for a golf course given the highway noise, high voltage power lines and shooting range noise.
    http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2016-04-02/golf-course-revenue-swings-low-san-mateo-considers-future-of-poplar-creek-105-acre-site/1776425161117

  6. Kevin L

    went to the meeting tonight.
    wanted to make a point as people are getting lost in the process.
    how much influence does burlingame council have if any?
    100% of the construction is in San Mateo.
    what most people don’t know is there are 3 options on the table, design 1 and design 2 and a “no build” option.
    they can have all the meetings they want to socialize the potential project however my question is when is the key deciding decision on the 3 choices and who makes the call? that is where we should focus our efforts.
    Brownrigg is the only one on the council that ever has anything meaningful to say, the others are all puppets. I’m not into politics to know if I am aligned with him but from what I saw tonight he cares and is the only one who speaks to the residents. Beach and Colson just parrot back previously said remarks and are self patronizing.
    Ortiz seem to cave in and take a position that we already have a problem and we should try to fix it. Lets see if council comes up with any proposed solutions, I doubt it!
    I was surprised Russ wasn’t there.

  7. Joe

    Thanks for the report, Kevin L. For reference here is the lengthy post with 67 comments that can be added to the conversation.
    http://www.burlingamevoice.com/2015/06/peninsula-ave-interchange-back-really#comments
    The real question is what legal action is the Council will to take if this harms B’game residents?

  8. fred

    Legal action? If San Mateo and Caltrans is paying for it Burlingame would get the freeway access to finally develop the drive-ins and surrounding bayfront area.

  9. Joanne

    Well that last time Peninsula Overpass was studied back in 2006/2007 City of San Mateo council decided it was simply too expensive a project to warrant any further studies on making Peninsula Ave a full interchange. Well, what has changed?? Who or what is behind the scenes dangling the carrot??

  10. Kevin L

    Last night someone mentioned that if it went through that they should not close the Poplar off ramp and on ramp as they would take some of the load.
    I am not sure if this is even possible as I believe there needs to be a minimum distance that is needed between the Peninsula on ramp to southbound 101 and the poplar off ramp from south 101.
    someone must know if the the minimum distance required exists between these two locations.

  11. Kevin L

    just found this
    501.3 Spacing
    The minimum interchange spacing shall be 1.5
    km in urban areas, 3.0 km in rural areas, and 3.0
    km between freeway-to-freeway interchanges
    and local street interchanges.
    To improve
    operations of closely spaced interchanges the use of
    auxiliary lanes, grade separated ramps, collector
    distributor roads, and/or ramp metering may be
    warranted.
    See Design Information Bulletin No. 77 for
    additional information on interchange spacing,
    including the procedural and documentation
    requirements to be fulfilled prior to requesting an
    exception to the above standards.

  12. Jennifer

    Hi Kevin, I was one of the people suggesting to leave one, or both of the exits/entrances open at Poplar, if this project goes forward. It is true that Caltrans has various optimal engineering schematics and regulations they try to adhere to… but I’d like to point out that both “options” for the ramps that they’ve called their preferred options, are out of compliance with current standards. In this case, I think they are line-of-sight regulations that are linked to driver reaction time. That is a pretty hefty curve there they are trying to conquer, all at high speed. In any case, it shows that San Mateo doesn’t seem to have a problem with applying for Caltrans variances, and this may be no different.

  13. Kevin L

    Hi Jennifer,
    What are the non compliance details, with respect to the stand alone designs or with respect potential Poplar exit / entrance.

  14. Bruce Dickinson

    Listen fellas, anyone hanging their hopes on Burlingame’s City Council to take legal action, conduct moral suasion or even take a semblance of a stance on a controversial issue, will be sorely disappointed! Bruce Dickinson has seen many video highlights of our government in action on dozens of issues and I’m gonna be nice here: dealing with controversy, tough decisions, complexity, and nuance is really not our Council’s forte. Maybe because it’s a thankless semi-volunteer job. Agree with comments above that some of the new faces act like they know a lot but are just repeating what their elder “sponsors” have taught them to say, so for those of us who have been around the block can see right through the blatant puppeteering, which is made even worse by the many patronizing and self-indulgent statements and often rhetorical lines of questioning. Seriously, put some elbow grease into the job, study up on the issues, represent your community instead of your business interests, exercise some independent thought and don’t take Burlingame residents for suckers just because you won an election in a small pond.
    Just a little word of advice, from your community thinker’s man, Bruce Dickinson!

  15. Jennifer

    Kevin, If you look at the link to the document, page 18, the ramp issues are listed on a table graph. There is another very interesting attachment at the end of the report: Attachment L, that explains various phases, scenarios, and risk response.
    With regard to the Poplar onramp-offramp, I have no idea what the technical issues are regarding compliance. It’s not really a “ramp” either, so definitely a weird category.
    http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/DocumentCenter/View/46090

  16. fred

    Why would you keep a ramp on Poplar, a street that has three schools on it? If they’re headed to San Mateo they’re not going to drive through the Lyon/Hoag neighborhood anyways.

  17. Jennifer

    Personally, I’m thinking the offramp (or better said, the exit) should remain, but that’s just my opinion. Peninsula and Lyon & Hoag also has several schools, and preschools, Fred, private and public. I don’t see one against the other, it is a problem, all together.

  18. fred

    The schools are actually on Poplar Ave. There are no schools on Peninsula Ave.

  19. Jennifer

    There is a Burlingame private preschool at Bloomfield and another private school of some sort on the San Mateo side, Fred, as well as many single family and multi-unit homes. The more traffic volumes are anticipated on Peninsula, the more likely the chances of widening that road; that is the way Caltrans works. In the best case, it means no parking on either side, and restriping two lanes in either direction; in the worst case, it means taking more property, as is listed on one of the charts in the same PDF.

  20. Jennifer

    By the way, here is a well-written article by SMDJ’s Austin Walsh.
    http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2016-12-07/101-interchange-plan-causes-stir-burlingame-officials-residents-voice-concerns-regarding-peninsula-on-off-ramp-proposal/1776425172436

  21. fred

    You do know preschool children don’t walk home.

  22. fred

    Comparing a preschool and a montessori (which is another type of preschool) with San Mateo High, an elementary school and a K-12 school for kids with learning disabilites for potential traffic danger is preposterous.

  23. Jennifer

    Thanks for the info, Fred, I am a parent and I am fully aware of what any type of school, pre- special-or after school care for young kids means for traffic and pedestrian patterns. Equally important is how they effect egress issues onto a busy thoroughfare.

  24. fred

    Yes, quite incomparable to the largest high school in the district, a public elementary school and a special needs school.

  25. Guido

    Fred,
    You keep the off ramp at Poplar precisely because there are schools. No residents to be affected like at Hillsdale and Holly Street, to name two. Also, Poplar has elevated train tracks so no delay there. Clearly you don’t live near Peninsula so you don’t know what it’s like on a daily basis now. Add thousands of cars per day and it will be a nightmare. Lastly, without Poplar, rich folk from Hillsborough might have to drive a little further to get to 101.

  26. hollyroller@gmail.com

    Golf Courses in General, as well as those who support Golf Courses, are basically DB’s.
    I can understand a private course paid for by members.
    However, a Public,financed by taxpayers Golf Course is not only wrong, it should be criminal.
    Less than 1% of City of San Mateo residents play golf, or are aware that a Golf Course exists.
    I am sure the operating costs to maintain the San Mateo Golf course are far mote expensive than what is taken in by fees.
    Golf is a luxury The City of San Mateo has no business subsidizing with taxpayer money.

  27. Jennifer

    And here is a similar opinion, (in this case, routing for the onramp to stay at Poplar)…care of columnist John Horgan, SJ Merc
    “As San Mateo officials, in concert with Caltrans, consider options to improve access to and from Highway 101 at Peninsula Avenue, here’s a good suggestion from a neighbor in that immediate area: Retain the existing southbound 101 on-ramp (not the off-ramp) at Poplar Avenue to the south.
    Doing that would ease some of the anticipated traffic burden on San Mateo and Burlingame streets near an expanded Peninsula Avenue overpass system to the north. At least that’s the theory.
    And, if it’s feasible (the Poplar freeway access, both on and off 101, may have to be closed if the Peninsula interchange is re-configured to include southbound ramps), it makes some sense.”

  28. Kevin L

    Hollyroller,
    What is a DB?

  29. Hollyroller@gail.com

    Dirt Bag.

  30. Laura

    Not everyone plays tennis, soft ball, baseball, runs track or plays in a play ground. It is outdoor space, undeveloped land and there for recreational use. All of those facilities are paid for by tax payer dollars and no income is brought in to pay for its maintenance. Now back to the overpass

  31. Bobby

    As I recall from 2007, when San Mateo tried to push Peninsula on/off ramps, the conclusion CalTrans came to is that Peninsula Ave needed to be widened (by razing homes on the Burlingame side)- in addition to the businesses/homes on Amphlett. This was to support the added volume of traffic. This killed the deal last time.
    This time around, this issue seems to be forgotten, or will CalTrans remind everyone of this inconvenient truth? San Mateo seems to be playing a game saying this time it is strictly limited to within San Mateo borders, with no Peninsula widening.
    Personally, I think the cost of all the eminent domain and ligitation on Amphlett properties will kill this nutty idea – hopefully for good this time!

  32. Joe

    Now about those lawyers that Fred thinks are not needed. When the road goons come for your house who will defend you?

  33. The future of Poplar Creek?

    Holly, Golf is a sport and a social gathering. What makes golfers dirt bags?
    As I understand Eminent Domain, it’s primarily for infrastructure projects like trains and highways.
    I heard that the city brandished Eminent Domain to the Shinyo-En Buddhist Temple when they had a $10M purchase offer from Valley International Academy. With the cloud of Eminent Domain on the property, The Buddhist had to accept the $4.6M purchase offer from The School District instead, and the rest is Hoover-gate.
    Property values are way up, if I owned one of those industrial buildings or houses right on the super noisy highway, I’d push for the highest price I could get, perhaps put them on the market and see what offers you get as evidence.
    Easier access to downtown Burlingame may drive stronger retail sales, rents and property taxes over time.

  34. fred

    Joe, that’s why we have eminent domain attorneys.

  35. Joe

    Yes, Fred. They are a lot like real estate attorneys in general. If you are a developer they are available by the dozen. Go try to hire one to fight a development and they are like hen’s teeth. I know, I have hired a couple in my day. It ain’t easy. The transparent ones will tell you flat out that they don’t want to piss off the developers. Or in the case of eminent domain, the takers.

  36. hollyroller@gmail.com

    The fact that the 1% do not care about the 99% regarding water-infrastructure issues in Burlingame, are not going change their POV.
    One day an earthquake, or something worse will happen @ SFO or Silicon Valley.
    Most likely in the next few years.
    What skills will you/friends be able to contribute?
    Do you even know how to fix a flat tire?
    I am not being disrespectful. Pragmatic is the term I use.
    How about all your associates/coworkers?
    Change a tire…
    Sharpen a pencil with a knife.
    Set a mouse trap?
    Lets face it..
    There are about 100 “Fags” to 3 men.
    Who can take this test, and honestly admit, that they are lacking in basic survival?
    Dear Fags, Money will only get us so far.
    Come on everyone.
    Time to “Come out of the Closet.”
    I am waiting with open arms and legs.
    Lets start a “Man” group so when the Shi. hits the fan, we will be able to take care of our families.
    Come on Fags.
    Be Strong.
    Be Brave.
    Let’s share with our neighbors.
    In case some horrible event happens, the rest of us will not waste time with our FAGS.
    Familiar.
    Attractive.
    Glad.
    Smart
    F.A.G.S

  37. hollyroller@gmail.com

    Wow!
    Even I felt a mite embarrassed regarding my last comment.
    Sorry for the outrage-mine.
    My only regret is that I did not come up with a better a acronym.

  38. Ursula Morgenstern

    Does anyone have any idea when Burlingame City Council meets again to discuss this issue?

  39. Jennifer

    Ursula, I’m not sure if San Mateo public works will present anything more in a Burlingame forum, though they were encouraged to do so by our mayor; it seems to me the SM public works fellow mentioned something in winter (Feb?) at the King Center, in SM, but I cannot recall if a date was given.
    I think the only way to find out about anything worth attending is by using the (not particularly well-conceived) City of SM e-mail alert system: Try signing up with this link:
    http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/list.aspx?ListID=293 It’s remarkable but SM “noticing” seems very city specific rather than geography specific, and even people a stone’s throw from this thing, in Burlingame, have been unaware of these plans.

  40. Laura

    For those of you in the Lyon Hoag, Victoria Park neighborhood, San Mateo will be holding a Community Workshop meeting on the 101 Peninsula Ave Interchange Project at the Burlingame Rec. Center…PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND TO VOICE YOUR CONCERN FOR THIS PROJECT THAT WILL CHANGE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AS WE KNOW IT..
    Community Workshop Meeting U.S. 101/Peninsula Avenue Interchange Project hosted by the City of San Mateo
    Tuesday, May 16th, 2017, 6:30 pm
    Burlingame Recreation Center, Social Hall
    850 Burlingame Avenue
    Burlingame, CA 94010

  41. Joe

    Here’s a small update from the City on the Peninsula Ave. overpass:
    More recently, the project team has been taking traffic counts at additional study intersections and roadway segments and working with the City of Burlingame to develop traffic forecast assumptions that take into account the current growth on the east side of US-101 in Burlingame. These assumptions have been finalized and approved by Caltrans and the partner agencies. The project team expects the traffic model runs to be completed this summer. Once the updated traffic information is available, the project engineers will need to look at the project design alternatives to make sure the traffic is accommodated in the designs.
    A community meeting will be scheduled in in the fall 2018 to share the traffic information and design alternatives. For further information, visit the project website. You may also
    contact Bethany Lopez, Senior Engineer with the City of San Mateo at 650-522-7313 and
    blopez@cityofsanmateo.org or Andrew Wong, Senior Civil Engineer with the City of Burlingame at 650-558-7237 and awong@burlingame.org.

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