Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Ray Mueller, District 3
Subject: Resolution in Support of the South Coast Traffic Advisory Panel Recommendations
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution to accept the report of the South Coast Traffic Advisory Panel and to support the recommendations contained therein.
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BACKGROUND:
Residents of rural San Mateo County have expressed concerns regarding traffic conditions on South Coast roads and highways, including State Routes 84 and 35. Community concerns have included speeding, racing, tailgating, unsafe passing, aggressive driving, and other behaviors that threaten the safety of residents, visitors, cyclists, and other roadway users.
Residents have expressed concern about speeds associated with high-performance vehicles, excessive noise from illegally modified exhaust systems, and the increasing presence of organized car and motorcycle racing activities. These conditions have contributed to concerns that roads serving rural communities are being used in ways that compromise the safety and quality of life of surrounding communities. Serious collisions resulting in significant injuries and fatalities have further underscored the need for continued attention to highway safety in the South Coast.
In response to these concerns, in 2023, my office established the South Coast Traffic Advisory Panel, consisting of six local residents representing San Gregorio, La Honda, Skylonda, South Skyline, and Kings Mountain. The Panel was established to examine traffic safety conditions in rural San Mateo County and develop recommendations for improving safety on local roads and highways.
Over approximately two and a half years, the Panel reviewed accident data, traffic speeds and patterns, applicable traffic laws, and proposed state legislation. The Panel also engaged with representatives from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol (CHP), County Department of Public Works, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and staff from the offices of Assemblymember Marc Berman and State Senator Josh Becker.
The Panel has now completed its report, which identifies immediate, near-term, and longer-term recommendations intended to improve roadway safety and address ongoing community concerns.
The Panel’s Report was presented at three community meetings on May 8, 2026 in La Honda, on June 16, 2026 in South Skyline and on July 15, 2026 in Kings Mountain. At each public meeting community members voted unanimously to support the pursuit of the short-, medium- and long-term recommendations contained in the report.
On August 13, 2026 Caltrans briefed the Office of Supervisor Mueller and state legislators that it was adopting the short-, medium- and long-term recommendations contained in the Panel’s report.
On September 9, 2026 the Panel’s Report was presented to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District passed a Resolution unanimously to support the pursuit of the short, medium, and long- term recommendations contained in the report.
On September 22, 2026, the Woodside Town Council received a report from Caltrans describing its adoption of the Panel’s short-, medium- and long-term recommendations and announced that its own endorsement of the recommendations would be on the Council’s agenda at the October 27, 2026 meeting.
DISCUSSION:
The South Coast Traffic Advisory Panel's report provides a community-informed framework for addressing traffic safety challenges on rural San Mateo County roads and highways. The recommendations span several areas of potential action, including:
• Enhanced traffic enforcement
• Road maintenance and vegetation management
• Improved traffic signage
• Intersection safety and traffic-calming measures
• Improved and expanded turnouts
• Evaluation of speed-limit reductions
• Expansion of California's automated speed-camera pilot program
• Safety improvements at known collision hot spots
The Panel's recommendations are intended to provide a range of potential tools rather than a single solution. Implementation of individual recommendations may require coordination among the County, CHP, Caltrans, local jurisdictions, state officials, and other governmental or community partners. Some recommendations may also require additional engineering analysis, funding, legislative action, or changes to state law.
The Panel's work reflects sustained community engagement. More than 100 residents who participated in community meetings signed a petition supporting the Panel's recommendations, with no signatories opposing the recommendations.
The proposed Board action would accept the Panel's report and would provide a formal record of the Panel's work and establish support for the Panel’s recommendations for continued consideration by Caltrans and appropriate partner agencies.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Traffic safety on the South Coast directly affects rural residents, visitors, commuters, emergency responders, agricultural operations, and recreational users of State Routes 84 and 35. Addressing unsafe driving behaviors and roadway conditions can improve safety for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other roadway users while supporting the quality of life of South Coast communities.
The Panel’s recommendations reflect sustained community concerns and extensive local engagement. Accepting the report and acknowledging its recommendations for further consideration recognizes the work of local residents and provides a foundation for continued, community-informed efforts to improve traffic safety throughout the South Coast.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No Fiscal Impact.