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Woodside will soon have a total of 22 automatic license plate readers in town after a vote of the Town Council on April 23, following concerns about residential burglaries in town.
The council approved two more readers, adding to the 20 others approved by the council for installation last year.
In October 2023, the council directed staff to look into additional locations for ALPRs. Filling in for Town Manager Kevin Bryant, Assistant Town Manager Melissa Cardinale presented six possible ALPR locations.
Town staff have been working with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and the license plate reader company Flock Safety to evaluate areas of the town for more cameras. Staff also presented information about signage on the perimeter of the town to alert incoming drivers about ALPRs.
Woodside has 17 ALPR cameras installed, and is waiting to get approval from Caltrans on three more installations, that were approved in 2023.
Locations under consideration
The council considered additional locations on Skyline Boulevard, La Honda Road, “Tripp Road Triangle,” Cañada Road by Robert’s Market, Woodside Road by Woodside Elementary School or the Woodside Fire Station and Mountain Home Road. It ultimately voted to put up signs at Tripp Road and Mountain Home Road/Portola Road. The council will continue to discuss the other locations.
The additional cost will be $ 3,000 per year per camera plus an additional $650 for installation of solar-powered cameras in the town’s right-of-way, $1,900 for installation of cameras in the Caltrans right-of-way, $1,250 for installation of hard-wired cameras (plus the cost of trenching — separate town expense), and $300 per camera to retain data for 60 days, according to a staff report for the April 23 meeting.
“All the other cameras are pretty much in residential districts because most of the crime … has been residential,” said Council member Dick Brown. “But now we have one here that would go in Town Center (Cañada Road). Why do you believe that’s an appropriate place?”
Sgt. Patrick Taylor explained that Town Center is a highly trafficked area and the main goal for additional ALPRs is to capture different angles as people come into town through different access points.
Woodside resident Marilyn Voelke asked if it was possible to install a camera farther up Kings Mountain Road by the entrance of Huddart Park. He said it gets plenty of sun and could be solar-powered.
“There is a lot of sun, however, you’re running into where Kings Mountain Road becomes county above Huddart and I don’t know where that defending line is,” said Council member Chris Shaw, who agrees that this site would be worth evaluating.
As installing cameras on state property will take longer to approve, the council mentioned support for a proposed location on town property for efficiency in adding additional cameras.
“I certainly think the Glens would be a very high priority for me because it’s been hit pretty hard by residential burglaries that if it’s not in this wave, it’ll be in the next one,” said Council member Paul Goeld.
The town also presented the option to purchase “Notice: 24/7 video recording” for $30 per sign.
“I would propose that we pick a different sign, if we decide to have signage because this one talks about 24/7 video recording, which isn’t happening here in Woodside,” said Mayor Jenn Wall.
The council unanimously agreed that signs are not necessary. Goeld expressed that he thinks signs on the perimeter of the town could be effective in deterring criminals, rather than placing signs on each camera.
“We’re signing the snot out of Woodside these days,” said Shaw.
‘We’re signing the snot out of Woodside these days.’
woodside council member chris shaw
Wall added that putting up signage would also “further the transparency” for the town’s residents on the presence of ALPRs in the area. She supports the idea of having perimeter signage for awareness and deterrence.
Sign ordinance
Town Attorney Jean Savaree held a study session on the town’s sign ordinance, established in 2002. She sought to receive feedback from the council on size and height limits of signs, election signs, signs in the public right of way and commercial versus non-commercial signs.
The majority of the council agreed on a size limit of 24 square feet on temporary signs and placements of election signs 90 days before an election and removal of the sign 10 days after. They also agreed that construction sites should allow one sign up to 6 feet.
“We’ve been living for the last seven or eight years with major construction around us. We have signs from the contractors stuck all over the area,” said Woodside resident Margaret London. “It’s very unattractive … I would ask what is the restriction on contractors, subcontractors and these signs?”
Wall agreed that these signs are a “huge eyesore” and are being used as advertisement opportunities. Planning Director Sage Schaan clarified that for construction, one sign up to 6 square feet is allowed with a building permit and “shall be removed upon completion of the project.”
London stated that her neighboring constructions have been ongoing for five years, bringing the council to consider a further conversation on the enforcements on length of construction time.
On banners, the council was torn on the idea of allowing them in residential areas and adding a 10-foot setback from paved roads in residential areas. Wall expressed her preferences for keeping banners in commercial districts.
The ordinance now goes back to the Planning Commission, which will make a recommendation to the Town Council.
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