Reso PC22-07 0080 PC Reso Recommending Approval of the Transit District Amendments to the General Plan and DTPP

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enormity of the investment that HSR grade separations represent, impacts from an incompatible grade separation would negatively affect Redwood City for decades, possibly centuries it is important for the City to determine a solution that maintains permeability across the tracks, while looking for ways to add open space, public art, and placemaking opportunities. As of this writing, it is the City’s preference that the grade separation take the form of a covered trench. This type of grade separation would consist of a 40 to 50 foot-deep channel through the city, with a “cap” constructed over it. Noise and aesthetics would not be issues of concern, and all streets would be able to cross the trench, creating very good community connectivity, as well as compatibility with the compact, walkable, and transit-oriented Downtown envisioned by the City. The space above the tracks could be used for beneficial purposes, such as a grand avenue, retail shops, parks and plazas, or bike paths. The grade-separated railway can and must be carefully designed to become one of Downtown’s major assets. High Speed Rail Station The High Speed Rail (HSR) Authority has stated that the Peninsula will have stations at the Salesforce Transit Center (San Francisco), 4th & King (San Francisco), Millbrae, and San Jose. At this time HSR no longer has plans for a stop in Redwood City. area may receive up to two stops on the HSR route between San Jose and San Francisco. One of these stations will most likely be located at Milbrae/San Francisco International Airport, while the second (if there is a second) will be placed in one of the following three cities: Mountain View, Palo Alto, or Redwood City. Because the full extent of the virtues and challenges associated with an HSR station are unclear, the City of Redwood City has yet to take a position on this matter. Based on the limited information currently available, some of the factors which affect Redwood City’s position may include the following: Benefits: People deboarding the trains will experience Downtown Redwood City, and may patronize its businesses at that time or in the future. Also, being located on the system will make Downtown Redwood City easily accessible to most residents of California, possibly making it a desirable location for small conventions and tourism. This could lead to hotel construction, as well as added business for local restaurants, shops, and theaters. Also, easy access to the rest of California may make Downtown more desirable for residential and office development, furthering the revitalization of the area. While these economic development benefits are feasible, it is not yet clear if they are likely. Finally, convenient travel to the state’s major destinations would be a significant benefit to the citizens of Redwood City and the Mid-Peninsula who travel for business or recreational reasons, whether they live Downtown or elsewhere. Challenges: In some ways, an HSR station may act like a small airport. It could pull many riders from far beyond Downtown, many of whom do not have a good transit link to the area. It is unclear how many HSR passengers can be expected to take non-automobile modes, such as Caltrain, SamTrans busses, and taxis. It is also unclear how many may be dropped off by friends or relatives, or how many will rideshare. This will certainly be a source of automobile traffic, and it is unclear what the magnitude of this traffic will be and how it will affect Downtown. Also, while it appears that significant parking will be required, the proposed streetcar system offers an opportunity to place that parking outside of Downtown, which should be seriously Page 19 of 45