Seven years ago, The Burlingame Voice, when it was a printed
version only, ran an article about signage in Burlingame. It seems there were a
few signs that were less than attractive. Some were neglected and some were
ostentatious. Here’s a link to the printed archive story from December 2002: http://burlingamevoice.typepad.com/the_burlingame_voice/Which-Shameful-Sign-Makes-You-Squirm.html
In the ensuing years, one of the signs was repaired and another disappeared. Today, it seems we have a new winner for “Worst sign in Burlingame.” And this sign is brand new.
Ladies and gents, this year’s award goes to the spanking new BevMo signs on Burlingame Avenue and Chapin Avenue.
These signs are “screamers” Bold, red, and large amongst a sea of sedate and small mostly well proportioned signs.
For reference, here is Burlingame’s sign code: http://qcode.us/codes/burlingame/view.php?topic=22&frames=on And an abstract:
22.14.030 Sign area and placement for wall signs, awning signs, and projecting signs.
(a) The maximum total sign area for wall signs, projecting signs and awning signs allowed on each building frontage shall be determined based on the length of the building frontage and calculated in accordance with the following table:
Building Frontage Length
Maximum Total Sign Area for Building Frontage
50 feet or less
60 square feet
51 feet to 100 feet
120 square feet
101 feet to 150 feet
180 square feet
Over 150 feet
200 square feet
I say NoMo to big red obnoxious screamin' signs! (at least it's not subtitled in foreign languages! ) (like Millbrae)
Posted by: Kathryn | January 10, 2010 at 12:03 AM
Wow, this is REALLY unattractive! Couldn't they have at least gone with a smaller version?
Posted by: Anne | January 10, 2010 at 12:35 PM
blogging here isn't going to change anything...go to the city.
Posted by: avatar | January 10, 2010 at 01:38 PM
More than a few bonfires in town have started with a single match here
Posted by: RR | January 10, 2010 at 04:25 PM
Remember the Cafe Marimba "Haight Ashbury Purple" paint that caused a ruckus about a decade ago, (at 1100 Burl. Ave. now occupied by Straits Cafe?)
At least color can pass for "trendy" or "cyclical"-more importantly, color can be changed! This sign looks big and tacky now, and I don't think time will improve it any. 'What about planting a Giant Sequoia street tree?- I'll donate!
Posted by: jennifer | January 10, 2010 at 04:56 PM
My nomination for "The Worst Signs of Burlingame" is..
All the empty, bankrupt, business that have left our town.
The signs are gone but the outline of the signs are as clear as ever.
Ghetto.
Posted by: Holyroller | January 12, 2010 at 04:34 PM
How about the trashy Smog Check $39.99 signs at the corner of Peninsula and El Camino as you enter Burlingame from the south. Those signs are on stands that are placed on city property, I believe.
Posted by: Ron Fulderon | January 13, 2010 at 12:00 PM
How about considering the landscape people see at Broadway &Rollins Road.
Astro turf, weeds and garbage on the islands..
Welcome to Burlingame.
Posted by: Holyroller | January 13, 2010 at 05:09 PM
How about the "stealth" corp-yard of city trucks and junk behind the cheap green fence along California south of Oak Grove?
Why a city junk-drawer along one of our nicest streets when there is a brand-new corp yard across town?
Posted by: BoogeyMan | January 14, 2010 at 08:19 AM
I am sorry to say that I do not get out that much since my husband died.
I was way off about the entrance to the City of Burlingame.
I saw today that Cal Trans has done some landscape work on the 101 entrance to Broadway.
Kudos!
My glass is half full today!
Posted by: Holyroller | January 14, 2010 at 06:16 PM
Many cities and towns have a very good sign ordinances that promote consistency and good taste. Why doesn't Burlingame? Remember that awful Sheraton sign? Word on the street is that a retired council member pushed that through as a favor to her Rotary friend.
We also have that awful electronic sign for Mike Harvey Honda on Broadway. But let's be real about Mike Harvey. He has greased the palm of many on our city council who now look the other way when he wants something.
Posted by: Two Cents | January 16, 2010 at 08:11 AM
city government has lost its way and has no idea of what Burlingame has been about since its beginning. this type of business should never have been allowed to open on the ave. the way it's going, Burlingame will become just another ugly city on the peninsula.
Posted by: Ted | February 07, 2010 at 04:34 AM
Well, the BevMo is bustling....never seen so much activity in the area, and the back parking lot...Packed!!!!
Posted by: mobev | February 07, 2010 at 01:42 PM
Stupor Bowl weekend...but they will do fine. They would do fine with a more tastful sign too. Time to get out the tape measure.
Posted by: mostbev | February 07, 2010 at 07:39 PM