The Burlingame Voice

Back to the Planning Commission?!

According to today's San Mateo County Times, Councilman Galligan will ask at the Council meeting on Monday 20th night, to send the EIR back to the Planning Commission to take another look at the project. According to the article:

"Galligan -- who says he has no problem with the size of the proposed store -- says he wants the commission to take a second look at the project, and will ask the council on Monday to consider sending it back to the Commission. 'They said we don't have enough information to make a decision, and the answer is no,' Galligan said. 'I want to know after they certify the [EIR] are they still a 6-1 vote.'"

The article then quotes Mark Hudak:

"When it's all said and done, the [revised] EIR changes will probably not have an impact on the size, the orientation or the design of the proposed store, as some had hoped, Hudak said."

What this is all about, aside from any potential impact on the upcoming election, seems to be to word the motion in such a way as to change the "denied with prejudice" part of the Planning Commission's decision. The way it now stands, the Planning Commission could NOT review a revised Safeway plan unless it is a MATERIALLY DIFFERENT PLAN. In other words, Safeway cannot get another review of the project from the Planning Commission if it only makes relatively minor changes. Of course, the City Council can change this if it chooses.

But it is totally wrong to say that the Planning Commission did not mean what it said when it denied the project "with prejudice" or that this hinged somehow on refusing to certify the EIR.

This latest move is typical of the way this Council has operated of late. No adequate notice, no time for meaningful public discussion or input, and what looks like a hidden agenda camouflaged behind innocuous wording.

- Written by admin

Broadway Zoning

The Burlingame Planning Commission heard from the Broadway Improvement District and several of its members Tuesday, October 14, 2003.

Some of the merchants contend zoning restrictions along Broadway should be changed to allow some of the store fronts to be filled. There are but three or four vacancies, actually, and those are located in one specific site at 1199 Broadway. At issue is the use of ground floor storefronts for things such as medical offices, banks, real estate and general office uses which have been capped as of a zoning change more than 15 years ago.

I was not a particularly eloquent speaker, not delivering the speech I had prepared and attempting to speak off the cuff,? saying retail storefront space is precious and that it would be a shame to lose Broadway as a viable retail area.? My personal view (as a resident and business owner on Broadway) is we already have several banks, real estate offices, eye doctors, travel agents, etc., using ground floor storefronts. Given that there are so many buildings specifically devoted to office usages and medical office facilities in town, I would prefer to see Broadway remain retail.?

One person voicing a different opinion pointed out that some of the retail establishments that have set up shop on Broadway (the tile store, the window place, etc.) don't bring but a few customers per day and don't generate significant foot traffic.?

One Broadway customer,? a resident and someone who frequents the street, living nearby, pointed out the problem? San Mateo experienced with allowing offices: The windows on the street became shuttered and it changed, radically, the complexion of a retail area.? I thanked this fellow for so succinctly making a point I had attempted to make.

The commissioners performed impressively, in my view, asking pertinent questions and having a long term view of what the ramifications might be to changing the zoning. More than one expressed concerns about parking. Others reacted to the possible impact on rents and asked if offices? pay more, would that drive retail stores off Broadway?

Your comments are certainly valued, so please post your thoughts on this important issue.

- Written by gerald

Candidates Debate

Candidates Debate

Sponsored by the San Mateo County Times
Thursday October 16th,
7-8:45pm

Lane Community Room
Burlingame Public Library
Primrose Ave

6 candidates, 2 seats, and one debate you shouldn't miss.

- Written by admin

Hypocrisy Column

Hypocrisy #1 - it was not Mr. Bagdon who complained about his photo in Mrs. Nagel's brochure but "at least two council members" (or was it three?). Hypocrisy # 2 - instead of a quiet letter from Mr. Nantell to Mrs. Nagel, 'someone' (I wonder who?) took it to the newspaper? Hypocrisy # 3 - Galligan's rudeness to Mr. Marriscolo at the Council meeting when he, Mr. Marriscolo, was stating the truth. Hypocrisy # 4 - Harrison/Mangini's puffery about "sheer arrogance and lack of common decency". All this hypocrisy is aimed to hurt a candidate! Once again, boys, it has backfired! Stop the uppityness, the hypocrisy and, boys, grow up!

- Written by Fiona

Severn Dairy Milk Boy

Three cheers for the Burlingame Historical Society, and especially board member Jennifer Pfaff, who have saved a true Burlingame Gem.

Over the past two weeks the Severn Dairy wallscape has been restored to its 1920's color and vibrancy. For many years blocked from view by the Reagan building and forgotten this gem came to light about three years ago when that building was demolished. Even though it was revealed, it quickly began to fade and deteriorate in the daylight and rains.

The Burlingame Historical Society contacted Clear Channel, a national advertising company who were estatic to find such a rare gem. They provided major funding and resources, which along with contributions from the Historical Society and individuals, has ensured that this gem could be restored for all to enjoy.

A special thanks to Mike & Glenn Harvey who have been so accomodating and instrumental in permitting this treasure to be restored.

Everyone is invited to join the Historical Society members and guests at the official unveiling of this gem on Sunday October 19 from 2-3:30pm. Come and see for yourselves this little gem of Burlingame. Here's a map to the location

- Written by admin

Another one hits the dust

After more than eighty years on Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame Drugs closed its doors today. With only a day or so notice, long term leasee Stan Clarke had an offer he couldn't refuse, and after struggling for several months to make ends meet, he had to close his doors today. Now Burlingame Drug joins the long list of Burlingame Avenue institutions that are just memories, including Garys Tuxedo, Miller Drugs, Levys and Burlingame Avenue Market. Change is the only constant!

- Written by admin

Moon's is Back in San Mateo

It's nice to see that Moon McShane's is back in business down on B St. in San Mateo. Local resident and long-time man-about-town Tom Collins is back with the same great beer selection and wait staff. You can check out the Voice's farewell piece (including Tom's and waitress Connie's pictures and comments) in Volume 3 Issue 2. While we miss them on Primrose, it's pretty easy to stop by before or after a movie for a cold one.

Joe Baylock

- Written by Joe Baylock

Storm in a Teacup

Well finally some sense in this 'uproar' over the now famous photo in Terry Nagel's brochure. The San Mateo County Times editorial states it quite well, though I think the 'was beens' should have read 'has beens'. Looks like the Capistrano swallows are arriving earlier this year.

Let's focus on the issues now, and let the Burlingame public decide on what is important.

- Written by admin

Anatomy of an Election

With the gubernatorial election into its final day its interesting to note the familiar stages it has gone through and the parallels to Burlingame elections past & present. First there was the dismissing of the challengers as not serious, then there was the digging up of all things from the past, the 'outrage' at negative campaigning, then the whisper campaign and finally the last minute revelations made by 'concerned citizens'.

For those of us who remember the last council election here in Burlingame we are sure to recognize the pattern. No doubt we'll see the same this year. Who will be the 'author' of the last minute volleys this time? And when? And where? The 'oh-so' Independent?

Like the returning swallows at Capistrano we can set our clocks by the arrival of the 'informative' letters to the editor!

I bet we will see them the week beginning October 27. Time to make an impression. No time to respond! Any other bets?

- Written by admin

Precinct Walking

Today three very smart polite teenagers were precinct walking and were absolutely shocked to arrive at a 78-year old woman's door to be told to "f... off". That wasn't the complete shocker because Katie said in complete surprise: "But she was a Democrat and Democrats don't say things like that". Don't you love it?

- Written by Fiona