Foster City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
Summary
SCH Number
2026100273
Public Agency
City of Foster City
Document Title
Foster City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/9/2026
Document Description
The Project is located within the City of Foster City, where the Foster City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (Plan) was developed by Fehr & Peers to enhance safety, accessibility, and connectivity across the City's bicycle and pedestrian networks. The Plan focuses on Class IV separated bikeways and low-stress neighborhood corridors. The Plan includes potential future capital improvement projects and safety enhancements across Foster City, including:
• Priority Projects: Seven (7) priority concepts were advanced for conceptual design development, including key corridors such as Beach Park Boulevard, Edgewater Boulevard, Foster City Boulevard, and neighborhood Class III bicycle boulevards along Gull Avenue, Marlin Avenue, and Grebe Street.
• Safe Routes to School Improvements: Intersection improvements near schools such as high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions (bulb-outs), and daylighting intersections to improve visibility (in compliance with AB 413).
• Bicycle Network Connectivity: Wayfinding, signage, and striping enhancements, including traffic circles and speed cushions, connecting residential streets to major bikeways, local commercial centers, and regional destinations like the Bay Trail.
• Pedestrian Network Connectivity: Upgrading high-stress corridors and closing pedestrian gaps to improve continuous walking connections to commercial services, public parks, and other key destinations.
• Intersection & Traffic Calming Enhancements: Higher-visibility pedestrian crosswalks, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), pedestrian refuge islands, and speed control measures designed to reduce traffic speeds and improve visibility along major arterial roadways.
Contact Information
Name
Francine Magno
Agency Name
City of Foster City
Job Title
Senior Civil Engineer
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Name
Andrew Brozyna
Agency Name
City of Foster City
Job Title
Public Works Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Foster City
Counties
San Mateo
Regions
Citywide, San Francisco Bay Area
Zip
94404
Other Location Info
Citywide
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 21080.20(a)(1)
Reasons for Exemption
PRC Section 21080.20(a)(1) specifically exempts Active Transportation Plans from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states:
"This division does not apply to an active transportation plan, a pedestrian plan, or a bicycle transportation plan for the restriping of streets and highways, bicycle parking and storage, signal timing to improve street and highway intersection operations, and the related signage for bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles."
The Plan qualifies as an ATP because it is a plan developed by a local jurisdiction (City of Foster City) that promotes and encourages residents to choose walking or bicycling through the creation of safe, comfortable, connected, and accessible pedestrian and bicycling networks.
Under PRC Section 21080.20, a public hearing must be held in conformance with the requirements articulated in PRC Section 21080.20(b), which states that:
"The lead agency shall hold noticed public hearings in areas affected by the project to hear and respond to public comments. Publication of the notice shall be no fewer times than required by Section 6061 of the Government Code by the public agency in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the proposed project. If more than one area will be affected, the notice shall be published in the newspaper of largest circulation from among the newspapers of general circulation in those areas."
The City conducted community engagement through engagement events, workshops, and online surveys over three phases of the project. Notices for these meetings and surveys were distributed through local media outlets, social media platforms, the project webpage, and direct email notifications to subscribers and community stakeholders. The public was invited to review various components of the Plan and participate in Traffic Review Committee meetings throughout the planning process.
Additionally a public hearing was held at the City Council Chambers on August 3, 2026, which was noticed pursuant to Government Code section 6061 in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Foster City, and the public was invited to provide comments.
The Plan was subsequently presented to and adopted by the Foster City Council on October 5, 2026 at a public hearing, which was noticed pursuant to Government Code section 6061 in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Foster City. While the Plan itself is exempt from CEQA, individual potential future projects identified within the Plan remain subject to further CEQA review, if undertaken by the City.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15306
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15306 specifically exempt data collection and research activities which do not result in serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource.
Section 15306 states:
"Class 6 consists of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be strictly for information gathering purposes, or as part of a study leading to an action which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded."
County Clerk
San Mateo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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