From a Complete Streets advocate's perspective, 2014 promises to be a significant one for San Clemente's desire to create "a balanced multimodal transportation system for all," as resolved by our visionary City Council in Jan. 2012.
Here's what's happening:
In 2010, the City applied for and received an OCTA grant to create a Class 1 protected bike/ped facility along PCH from Camino Capistrano south to Avenida Estacion, the entrance to North Beach.
The project is rooted in a Complete Streets approach to transportation. That is, the public right-of-way is proposed to accommodate motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians so that both public safety and roadway efficiency are improved for ALL users.
That section of roadway is part of the Pacific Coast Bike Route, which links Canada to Mexico along the Pacific Ocean. The Route is an international resource, as people from around the globe venture to the western U.S. to bicycle enormous distances on California's Scenic Highway 1. With this grant project, the City of San Clemente has the opportunity to begin setting a high standard for a local, national, and international asset.
The conceptual project is now before San Clemente's Planning Commission this Wednesday night. PLEASE ATTEND.
HERE'S HOW:
DATE: Wed., Jan. 22
TIME: 7 pm (the item is the 1st one on the agenda, so you don't have to wait around)
LOCATION: 100 Ave. Presidio, 92672 (MAP HERE)
You DON'T need to be a San Clemente resident to have an interest in this project, as bicyclists far and wide travel the PCBR. So, please spread the word.
If you cannot attend, please email your comments to: Planning@san-clemente.org and our Transportation Engineer, Tom Frank: FrankT@san-clemente.org. Here's the link to the City Engineer's Staff Report for the project.
This project is very important, especially here in OC. Please participate in the public hearing process.
If all goes according to schedule, construction would begin in early 2015.
ps--if you'd like to join me at Pizza Port after the meeting, come with an empty tummy :)
Carpe Diem,
Brenda
