San Francisco Bay Area Vision Project

Focus: Focusing our Vision. A development and conservation strategy for the San Francisco Bay Area.

corridors

east 14th/international

• about

• existing conditions

el camino real

• existing conditions

• development

san pablo avenue

• existing conditions

Development - El Camino Real

A number of cities have been successful at attracting quality new development along or near El Camino Real. Overall, most of the planned housing and commercial development is located in the larger cities on the corridor, even if El Camino Real is not adjacent to their downtowns. These planned developments are helping to realize the potential of El Camino Real as a transit and pedestrian-friendly corridor.

There are 7,435 new residential units planned or under construction within one-half mile of El Camino Real in almost 100 projects. The development is distributed throughout both counties along the corridor. The proposed and planned developments along or near the corridor have densities between nine and 60 units an acre, with a few higher density developments on El Camino Real that have recently opened, such as La Terraza (Colma/Unincorporated San Mateo County), The Crossings (San Bruno), and Bay Meadows I (San Mateo). Current development proposals are highest in San Bruno, Millbrae, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Santa Clara.

The cities currently considering the largest number of planned and proposed units along El Camino Real are Millbrae, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Santa Clara. This may reflect the multiple transit options available in those cities, most of which are served by more than one rail line and multiple bus lines. Expanded transit services are uncertain in other parts of the corridor. Although there are significant plans for access improvements for rail stations along the corridor, there is currently no detailed plan for rapid bus service or for improved local bus service in San Mateo County. There is also no clear source of funding for implementing the North-South Bicycle Route, although it may become part of San Mateo's County Bicycle Plan Update.

Most plans consider the attractiveness of El Camino Real as allocation for new housing growth to depend in part on the city's ability to make the street more pedestrian-friendly. The implementation of the cities' desired pedestrian improvements will require close coordination with and support from Caltrans, which has jurisdiction over the street.