Comments by David Vespremi
March 04, 2010
"Now… was this “new construction” or did you demolish an older home first?"
New. But how does that factor into the discussion?
March 03, 2010
"So, implementing them means building drainage to a big pipe somewhere that is lower…. that could easily be a quarter mile of drainpipe buried at 15 feet to get to such a thing. That is a big project to do." We put one in this past year with the construction of our new home. A below ground dissipator would essentially add what looks like a drainage grate to the lowest point in the underpass pavement. Below that is a big, perforated tube that catches the runoff and drains it away into the surrounding…
March 03, 2010
Tim - it just depends on how fancy we want to get with them. ;-) You've already got school children using a drainage pipe to cross Hwy 1 to reach El Granada school. This was brought up by a parent at last week's meeting. The fixate comment comes from the fact that after countless community meetings, charettes, and workshops, the only solution we have seen presented is roundabouts. Correct me if I'm wrong. Where are the proposals that incorporate so much as a single over/under pass? If these were…
March 03, 2010
I thought of a good example for illustrating the efficacy of an overpass/underpass solution to meet the disparate needs of motorists and pedestrians. We have all experienced the frustration of endless traffic back-ups on Highway 92 during pumpkin and Xmas tree season as pedestrians walk back and forth across highway 92 from Lemos to Pastorino's roadside pumpkin "farms" Consider the options before us in that scenario (1) Traffic Lights (2) Roundabouts (3) Over/Underpasses If the goal is to keep traffic…
March 02, 2010
"So… how does a big fire truck get through now when there is bumper to bumper traffic on 1 north of HMB?" Glad you asked! It doesn't. It continues in its lane of travel and vehicles pull off onto the generous shoulders that we have to let it by. Now, look at the bottom image here: https://coastsider.com/images/uploads/2010/roundabout.png When traffic is gridlocked - as it often is on the weekends - where do cars pull over for the fire engine to pass? Would that be the landscaped shoulder on the…
March 02, 2010
Scott - you highlight an interesting point of analysis. If the goal is truly safe crossings without encouraging additional development, then having traffic "blow past" is not a bad thing. If, on the other hand, the goal is to build up commercial commerce along the Highway 1 corridor (i.e. Southern California) then maybe you don't want traffic blowing past. Maybe you want slow traffic with frequent stops to encourage an influx of new businesses along the highway. I have my opinion on which of the…
March 02, 2010
Sabrina, I am no traffic engineer and am willing to keep an open mind on this. As a parent, I'd rather see my child go up and over or down and under the hgihway out of harm's way than across it. As a commuter and home owner, I'd rather go 50mph with no stops than 35mph with stops. As a taxpayer, I'd like to see a long term vision of how funds are being spent on the coastside that anticipates and addresses growing population density and overtaxed infrastructure. I'm not saying I have all the answers…
March 02, 2010
"As far as lights, roundabouts, or do nothing: I don’t think the last is a long term option, as you seem to be pretending." Tim, I'm not proposing doing nothing as an option. You seem to have disregarded my suggestion re: overpasses and underpasses. I am saying we need to focus on identifying and addressing the problem we are trying to tackle the most direct way possible. If the problem we are looking to solve is shuttling pedestrians and cyclists across highway 1 with the least possible impact…
March 01, 2010
"Still, there is a roundabout nearby that is the terminus of a busy four lane highway, and I do not think even busy Highway 1 traffic is beyond possibility." Sure - these work great because pedestrians are kept off of them. So long as cars don't have to stop for pedestrians, traffic keeps moving. Add pedestrians into the mix, and that benefit goes out the window. A roundabout that still forces cars to stop for pedestrians and cyclists is doomed to back up traffic even worse than traffic lights since,…
December 19, 2009
Great party - thanks for having us!
December 11, 2009
To be clear, I'm all for lowering the speed limit on Highway 1. I'd be OK with a 25 mph speed limit or closing parts of it off to cars altogether - if, and only if, an inland alternative route is provided.
December 11, 2009
If you look at model coastal towns here in Northern California (Carmel, for example) and in fact, all over the world, they are able to achieve a balance of meeting visitor serving needs (providing scenic vistas and shoreline access) with those of more utilitarian, basic commerce (the moving of freight and residents in and out of the community). This is generally accomplished through having a designated scenic route that capitalizes on views, vistas, and shoreline access with frequent points to stop,…
December 11, 2009
Barry - no offense, but the stink of urine argument is pretty weak. The reality is, Sabrina's point is 100% valid. We *do* need safe crossings and have needed these for some time. We simply cannot stand idly by while pedestrians and cyclists are put at risk. That being said, the counterpoint is also 100% valid, insofar as providing safe crossings that impeded the flow of traffic - whether by way of traffic lights or roundabouts - all have a number of serious negative consequences associated with…
December 10, 2009
Thanks to everyone that sent this and other letters in challenging the County Staff's report and everyone that spoke today. Looks like our efforts paid off: San Mateo County Staff's proposed LCP Amendment No. SMC-MAJ-1-07 was rejected at today's Coastal Commission hearing.
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