Council met in joint study session last night with the planning commission and the Bayfront task force to discuss the
draft Bayfront plan. The task force was divided on permitting housing in the new plan. Although the public workshops had soundly rejected housing, a timely letter from an attorney at Carr, McClellan, Ingersoll, Thompson & Horn brought the matter back up again.
Ross Bruce, realtor and a member of the task force, spoke passionately about the desirability of using this undeveloped stretch of bay front for housing. 'I would want to live there' he said.
But other voices weighed in to point out that permitting housing on the east side of 101 would create an isolated enclave that would do little for the city's economics and demand infrastructure investments that the city could not recoup from any related increase in property tax revenue.
Councilor Rosalie O'Mahoney quoted statistics of costs and revenue that indicated that the net effect would not be favorable for the city. She also pointed out that the problems that Redwood City has with the Redwood Shores neighborhood would also befall Burlingame. There the town is literally divided by 101.
During public comments former Burlingame Mayor Gloria Barton reminded everyone that the original plan, developed in 1980 had precluded housing east of 101 and had served the city very well. 'Don't fix what isn't broke' she implored.
The four contenders for city council also weighed in with their opinions. Russ Cohen said that the city should take advantage of the location of the bay front and make it a destination for both residents and visitors. Aquariums, aquatic centers, museums etc should become the anchors for a revitalized bay front.
Dan Andersen said that putting housing in the Anza Point section of the bay front area was the very antithesis of good urban planning. It is far removed from any public transit corridor and without neighborhood stores it would not be pedestrian friendly.
As Terry Nagel said, putting housing on the Bay front would only add to the parking woes of Burlingame avenue and Broadway. 'We should maximize the recreational use of this property'.
Dark horse contender Paul Prendiville was at odds with the other challengers as he supported the idea of upscale residential development on the bay front. He produced images of luxury condominiums with elegant yachts moored to private jetties. It looked more like the Hamptons than Burlingame!
The next step is for the planning commission to decide on the plan in a formal planning commission meeting, then send it on to council for final review. Will housing be back on the plan? Certainly if the developers and their professional counsel have their way!
- Written by admin
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