Belle Haven Traffic Calming Study

​The Belle Haven neighborhood is defined as the area bounded by Willow Road on the East, the Dumbarton Rail Corridor on the north, and U.S. 101 on the South.

On April 16, 2019, the City Council approved a Belle Haven Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan (Español) to address cut-through traffic concerns in the Belle Haven neighborhood through the use of traffic calming measures. 
Belle Haven Traffic Calming Study
Typically, cut-through traffic refers to trips generated outside of a predefined area and traveling through to a destination outside of the area. To counter this type of driving behavior, traffic calming measures such as education, enforcement and physical structures are often recommended and implemented as possible solutions.

Project history


Due to increased congestion on Bayfront Expressway and Willow Road, the Belle Haven neighborhood is experiencing increased cut-through traffic. As part of its Campus Expansion project approvals, Facebook is required to fund a neighborhood traffic calming plan for the Belle Haven neighborhood to reduce cut-through traffic.

On May 25, 2017, the City hosted a community meeting at the Menlo Park Senior Center. The feedback from the community identified a need for action to relieve the neighborhood cut-through traffic in lieu of more public meetings to describe the issues. As a result, the City reached out to qualifying consultants and reached an agreement with Parisi Transportation Consulting for the development of the Belle Haven Traffic Calming Study.

On July 11, 2018, the Complete Streets Commission and participating residents reviewed and provided feedback on a draft Belle Haven Neighborhood Traffic Calming Plan and its implementation process. After a productive discussion with the Commission and residents, the Commission recommended to continue to work with the neighborhood to develop a final draft plan with one set of recommendations and present it at a future Complete Streets Commission meeting. Following the meeting, staff worked with the consultant to develop a revised draft Plan based on the Commission and resident feedback. To solicit additional resident feedback on the revised Plan, large poster boards of the Plan were produced and displayed at the following key Belle Haven neighborhood locations between September 10, 2018, and October 1, 2018:

  • Menlo Park Senior Center
  • Belle Haven Branch Library
  • Neighborhood Service Center
On December 12, 2018, the Complete Streets Commission and participating residents reviewed the additional resident feedback received through the poster boards and the revised draft Plan. After a productive discussion, the Commission voted to recommend to the City Council to approve the draft Belle Haven Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan.

On April 16, 2019, the City Council and participating residents reviewed the Belle Haven Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan. After a productive discussion, the City Council voted to approve the Final Plan and directed staff to explore an implementation phasing plan.

Next steps


Using the approved plan, staff and the consultant will:

  • Develop design plan set and specification for a 6-month trial implementation period for measures within the City right of way
  • Procure funding for the implementation
  • Commence dialogue with outside agencies for their required consensus for proposed measures on Ivy Drive and Willow Road 

Upcoming meeting

 Date  Topic  Location
Tuesday,
August 20, 2019
7 p.m. 		 City Council Meeting - amend
the Plan and provide direction
on potential neighborhood turn restrictions
 City Council Chambers
701 Laurel St.
                                                 

Past activities

 Date  Topic  Location
April 27, 2019
11 a.m.		 Belle Haven Spring Fair - community outreach Ivy Plaza
410 Ivy Drive
April 16, 2019
7 p.m.                                        		 City Council Meeting - adopted Final Plan
 Menlo Park Senior Center Ballroom
110 Terminal Ave.
December 12, 2018
7 p.m.                                                         		 Complete Streets Commission meeting - recommended draft plan to City Council
 City Council Chambers
701 Laurel St.
July 11, 2018
7 p.m.		 Complete Streets Commission meeting - reviewed the draft plan
 Menlo Park Senior Center - Ballroom
110 Terminal Ave.                                                 
October 17, 2017 City Council-approved scope of work
 City Council Chambers
701 Laurel St.
May 25, 2017
6 p.m.		 Community Meeting #1
 Menlo Park Senior Center Ballroom
110 Terminal Ave.