To: Tricia Schimpp, Contract Senior Planner and San Mateo Planning Commission
Reasonable Growth on El Camino in San Mateo
The proposed 5-story Hillsdale Terraces housing on El Camino at 27th and 28th Avenue has problematic scale, parking, traffic generation and public safety issues. We want the project scaled back to 3 stories, or 4 stories with a setback.
Why is this important?
San Mateo needs more housing, but the proposed Hillsdale Terraces project has issues with scale, parking, traffic and public safety. Only a smaller structure makes sense. (Copy and paste this link into your browser to see what it would look like): https://www.dropbox.com/s/iiukhmp7n83dezw/Visualize%205%20Stories.jpg?dl=0
SCALE: Look at the photo link above. The project overpowers the street. There is *no* 5 story residence on the El Camino sidewalk for 5 miles in either direction. All tall projects are either set back with landscaping or have recessed upper floors.
PARKING: 51 cars will look for on-street parking every night. That is because there are only 1.3 spaces instead of the standard of 2.0 per average 2 bedroom unit. The nearby streets are already full.
TRAFFIC: The traffic for all 74 units plus two potential restaurant ground floor uses will exit and enter on 27th and 28th Avenues just in front of El Camino. As they cross 27th and 28th, they will block traffic.
SAFETY: Lot constraints force the project so close to the sidewalk that the typical curb cut for a bus stop is impossible, so buses must stop in El Camino traffic. With the building out of Bay Meadows and the pending 28th Avenue connector to it, there will be greatly increased pedestrian crossings at El Camino. The 27th Avenue fire station must drive past the project exit to reach El Camino. These issues are not addressed.
Without your input, the city will assume everyone likes the plan. With your input, they will make changes.