Burlingame's Downtown Plan has been revealed

The downtown specific area draft plan was unveiled on Wednesday night.

A citizen’s advisory committee has worked along side a hired planning consultant for the past two years, resulting in a vision for downtown that capitalizes on what has worked in downtown Burlingame so successfully for so many years. Some of the improvements suggested are ones that recognize what’s good about downtowns in general. The plan calls for more open space, respect for the area’s architectural and cultural heritage, traffic calming and design guidelines that echo the architectural details that create the current visual language of the area.

The committee has obviously wrestled with how to increase density while keeping the character of the neighborhood. It is clear from the design guidelines that they looked to balance the need for growth and revitalization in some areas with the need to retain downtown’s quaint appeal.

The draft of the plan is solid, but I believe the unveiling of the plan went sideways. There were suggestions from some, in particular from current and incoming council members that heights should rise perhaps as high as seven stories in some areas of downtown. From the conversation, one could conclude that some of these folks feel the height should be determined by how much developers could prosper—or in their words, how well the projects would “pencil out.”

When times are tough and city revenues are suffering, some look for the quickest way to earn revenue for the city. Rapid development is always the easiest answer.

A few years later, however, these same leaders might find themselves struggling with increased demand for police and fire service, on water, sewer, parking, and traffic. Perhaps these leaders should play the video game “SimCity” and try to build density in a virtual city to see the domino effect one action has on another before they practice their theory on Burlingame?

Our bordering cities Millbrae and San Mateo are both in the throws of increasing their density. Do we think that their budget woes will be absolved by adding even more people to their populations? My guess is that increased density will put an even greater strain on their cities’ budgets.

All cities struggle with the correct balance of growth. A remark was made that the North-end Specific Plan, developed in a similar fashion in the early 2000s had not yet resulted in any tangible projects and that it should be deemed a failure, while in fact, several projects have already begun there, in the midst of a deep recession.

This plan has been in the works and studied in depth for two years by staff, various consultants and a very diverse group of stakeholders, including a well-versed land use attorney. The parameters on height and density incorporated into the draft plan were indeed those presumed feasible by an economist over a year ago.

Our quaint charm, our small town community feel, is the draw for many visitors and residents. It is a primary economic driver. Will these suggested increases in building heights disrupt what has been the differentiating selling point and the envy of every other peninsula city? Are they suggesting we cut off our nose despite our face? Are they suggesting we kill the goose that laid the golden egg?

The plan can be viewed here: www.burlingame.org/Index.aspx?page=971

 

Comments

[Hillsider]

Well said, sir. I'm shocked that Brownrigg was speaking in favor of 5, 6 and 7 story buildings downtown. If I had known he thought that was good I would have voted different than I did. Nagel is hopeless but I hoped that Brownrigg would have more sense.

[Holy Roller]

Due to the projected State of California Budget deficit of 20-25 Billion this year, as well as the next 4-5 years, I think we will be lucky to just keep the streets that we have.
The state always seems to find a way to get "Blood out of a Stone."
I think the City of Burlingame is in for a very difficult time.

[Wayne]

I was disappointed to see that there's been no real attempt to create a promenade, similar to the extremely successful Santa Monica Promenade. Instead, we continue to uncritically accept that cars must run through the center of our civic life, with enjoyable outdoor space for people a lower priority. Has anyone seriously considered turning Burlingame Avenue into a pedestrian space? There are parking lots completely surrounding the area, so it's difficult to imagine the arguments against this. The usual arguments from retailers have been repeatedly disproven by these projects.

[Hillsider]

We would be promenading in cold windy shadows if there are 7 story buildings up and down the Avenue.

[Luke]

Upzoning in BG? Follow the money. Who stands to make millions and how muck will the taxpayer end up subsidizing the REAL mitigations to the density impacts?

[Holy Roller]

That Santa Monica thing would work really well at Burlingame Ave.
Realitive to the parking spaces on Burlingame Ave. closing the street to cars would make it more inviting to everyone.
Simple solution.
Why do our City Elders have so little vision?
KISS
Keep it simple St pid.

[Holy Roller]

PS
You know who is "getting it right" is the Broadway Grill.
Holiday decorations, street closures for a little farmers market, films,music, that guy/gal is doing all the right things to bring business into his/hers business.
AS well as the whole business community of Broadway.
It is not Barnum & Bailey.
But that is what The City of Burlingame Chamber of Commerece should be doing.
WHO PAYS FOR THAT ANYWAY?
pss-the wait staff in BG is the most inept, and rude crew I have ever had the experience of dining with six times.
Food good.
Sevice-from the front door, to the table F+

[KRN]

We could consider allowing cars and decreasing traffic flow. If Burlingame Ave flowed from El Camino to California and Howard Ave flowed from California to El Camino, there would be a "natural' clockwise flow of traffic which would increase total movement in Burlingame and increase downtown flow. Howard Ave Real Estate would pick up as it would be an extension of Burlingame Ave. By moving to one way traffic, sidewalk space could be increased as there is no longer a need for two lanes down the middle of each street only a single lane. Parking could be adjusted for flow and use.