Atherton Council Wants SB 79 Assurances in Writing Before Dumbarton Busway Advances

Atherton's City Council spent about 40 minutes on Oct. 21, 2026, questioning SamTrans' plan for a 4-mile zero-emission busway and trail along the Dumbarton Rail Corridor. The Council took no action, but members made clear they want written proof that nine new bus stations won't open the town to state-mandated housing density. The Council also approved the town's response to a civil grand jury report on license plate cameras and trimmed a traffic study by about $3,000.

---

• Dumbarton busway draws pointed questions on ridership, funding, noise and SB 79 housing density
• Council approves Grand Jury ALPR response; the police chief acknowledged prohibited data sharing with two private universities
• Roll-off bin ordinances introduced to enforce the GreenWaste franchise and replace deposits with Green Halo tracking
• Fair Oaks Lane signal analysis dropped from the TJKM traffic study as the consent calendar passed

---

Dumbarton Busway Pitch Meets a Skeptical Council

The basics: SamTrans is studying a busway and trail on the Dumbarton Rail Corridor between University Avenue in East Palo Alto and Middlefield Road in Redwood City. The concept includes dedicated zero-emission bus lanes, up to eight buses per hour, and a continuous 20-foot multi-use trail. It also adds 15 new access points, four crossings and a new U.S. 101 crossing.

"We're proposing 9 bus stations along the 4-mile busway," said Millie Tolleson, Director of Planning and Reimagine Dumbarton project manager, SamTrans.

Why it matters: The project has no construction funding and a 10- to 20-year horizon. Even so, it could affect traffic at Marsh Road and trail access for Atherton residents. It could also expose the town to transit-oriented upzoning under SB 79.

The SB 79 flashpoint: Vice Mayor Rick DeGolia warned the project could draw serious opposition if its stops trigger SB 79 density. He said assurances from Sen. Scott Wiener's office are not enough on their own.

"Getting that verbally isn't sufficient," DeGolia said.

Tolleson said the stops were not identified in the regional plan before Jan. 1, 2026, and do not appear on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's map. "Those stops would not be subject to SB 79," she said, adding that SamTrans is pursuing written confirmation.

Councilmember Eric Lane said developers might still challenge the project based on the law's text.

The other side: Several members questioned whether the payoff justifies the project. Councilmember Bill Widmer pressed for ridership data and asked whether service would reach the Redwood City station.

"I really would like to see a real list of the demographics, how many people are really going to go taking this," Widmer said. Tolleson said ridership modeling goes to the SamTrans board in spring.

Councilmember Elizabeth Lewis asked about noise, pollution and access. Tolleson said zero-emission buses are quieter. "Just kind of doesn't seem a big enough bang for the buck," Lewis said.

Lane raised last-mile connections and signal timing at Marsh Road. "If it's done wrong, it could be terrible," he said.

Follow the money: Widmer asked whether the project relies on the half-cent Connect Bay Area sales tax. Tolleson said the corridor is listed as a possible expenditure, but "there isn't a certain designation of funds to the project."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The item was informational, and the Council took no vote. Mayor Stacy Holland pointed to "the ability for bikers and walkers to connect to the Bay Trail" as a local benefit. Cyclists and pedestrians stand to gain the most. Residents near Marsh Road face traffic questions that remain unresolved. Town leaders' biggest concern is preserving local control over housing density.

What's next: A second round of public engagement runs through Oct. 30. A preferred alternative goes to the SamTrans board this winter, followed by ridership modeling in spring. SamTrans is pursuing written SB 79 confirmation.

---

Police Chief Owns Up to ALPR Data-Sharing Lapse

Why it matters: The San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury released "Is Our Flock of ALPR Cameras Properly Tended?" on Aug. 3, 2026. The report found that Atherton shared automated license plate reader data with two private universities and had gaps in its policy. The town agreed with the findings.

Where things stand: Chief of Police Steve McCulley said the department shared data with the universities, "which unbeknownst to myself and my fellow chiefs, that was not allowed by California Civil Code." He said the town has taken several steps:

• Posted its ALPR policy publicly
• Ended sharing with the two universities
• Automated its data-sharing agreements
• Set a 30-day retention period

The town also has amended or is amending its Flock Safety contract to ensure vendor compliance.

The other side: Widmer asked whether retention could be extended for an ongoing investigation. "No, after the 30 days it drops," McCulley said. He explained that evidence is kept by the department.

McCulley also noted that "of our 53 cameras, a vast majority of those are privately funded." That detail matters because residents and private funders, not just the town, have a stake in how the network is governed.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Widmer moved to approve the response, and Lane seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote, and no tally was announced. The changes tighten privacy protections for drivers, limit outside access to the data and put the vendor on notice.

What's next: An updated ALPR policy is expected at the next meeting. No timeline was given for the Flock contract amendment.

---

New Teeth for the Debris Box Franchise

The basics: GreenWaste has held Atherton's exclusive construction and demolition (C&D) debris franchise since Jan. 1, 2026. Staff proposed amending two chapters of the municipal code, drawing on 11 consultant recommendations backed by the Refuse and Recycling Committee.

Where things stand: Changes to Chapter 15.52 would align C&D recycling with CalGreen, the state green building code. Builders would register projects in Green Halo, a tracking system, instead of paying deposits. Changes to Chapter 18.02 would clarify the franchise's exclusivity and allow administrative citations for bins from other haulers.

"The town 75% diversion requirement is retained," said Christabel Soria Mendoza, Management Analyst II, Town of Atherton.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Lane confirmed the rules apply only going forward. He then moved introduction and first reading. The Mayor called a voice vote, but the result was not announced on the record.

If adopted, the ordinances would:

• Ease cash-flow burdens for builders by eliminating deposits
• Strengthen GreenWaste's position against competing haulers
• Give the town clear authority to cite non-franchise bins

What's next: Ordinances typically require a second reading. Watch for this item on a future agenda.

---

Fair Oaks Signal Study Cut From Traffic Contract

Where things stand: The consent calendar included an amendment to the town's contract with TJKM Transportation Consultants. The work covers the Middlefield Road traffic analysis and Watkins Avenue pedestrian improvements. DeGolia noted the Council had earlier concluded that a Fair Oaks Lane signal was not needed.

"I don't think we should incur the cost to do that analysis for Fair Oaks Lane," DeGolia said.

Public Works Director Robert Ovadia said most of the amendment's cost goes toward expanding the analysis from five to seven signals. Dropping the Fair Oaks work saves "probably somewhere around $3,000 or so," he said.

At Lane's request, Ovadia confirmed the study will still show impacts at Fair Oaks. Widmer said future construction would require redoing any study anyway. "So doing it early doesn't make any sense," he said.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: DeGolia moved the consent calendar (items 1-9) with direction to drop the Fair Oaks analysis, and Widmer seconded. It passed on a voice vote, and no tally was announced. Residents along Marsh Road, where backups already extend past Fair Oaks, won't see a signal study for now.

---

Minor Items

• Consent calendar: Approved roughly $3 million in bills and claims. It also covered streetlight painting acceptance, El Camino Real/Selby Lane design, an Alameda/Stockbridge contract and three ordinance second readings, including construction rules and Do Not Solicit.
• Youth Advisory Group: Founder Fiona Lamprest said the 11-member group's mission is "to represent the voices of teens in Atherton governance." Leadership passes to two successors in January.
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Mayor Holland proclaimed October Domestic Violence Awareness Month, citing CORA's 18,300 services and 5,193 shelter nights. CORA board member Liz Lang urged residents to wear purple, donate or volunteer.
• Closed session: The Council gave direction, and there was no reportable action.

---

Looking ahead: Expect the updated ALPR policy at the next meeting, Dumbarton public input through Oct. 30, and a SamTrans board decision on a preferred alternative this winter.