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.

Project description


The City is conducting a traffic calming study 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.

Next steps


Currently, City staff is working with the consultant to finalize the draft plan presented on July 11, 2018. Once finalized, staff will share plan exhibits with the neighborhood by displaying them on large poster boards at the following locations for approximately two to three weeks:
  • Belle Haven Neighborhood Service Center
  • Menlo Park Senior Center
  • Belle Haven Branch Library
Staff anticipates to share these plan exhibits with the neighborhood no later than mid-August 2018. At that time, residents are encouraged to drop by these sites to provide feedback on the exhibits. Electronic copies will also be available here for residents to provide feedback to staff via phone or email.

Tentatively, staff anticipates to bring this project back to the Complete Streets Commission in September or October 2018, then to City Council for final approval in late 2018 or early 2019.

Upcoming meeting

 Date  Topic  Location
TBD Complete Streets Commission meeting
 TBD

Past activities

 Date  Topic  Location
Thursday,
May 25, 2017
6-8 p.m.
 Community Meeting #1
Presentation
 Menlo Park Senior Center Ballroom
110 Terminal Ave.
Tuesday,
October 17, 2017		 City Council-approved scope of work
Staff report		  City Council Chambers
701 Laurel St.
Wednesday,
July 11, 2018
7 p.m.
 Complete Streets Commission meeting - reviewed draft plan
Staff report		 Menlo Park Senior Center Ballroom
110 Terminal Ave.