The Burlingame Voice

Ditto Enough Parking?

At the train station study session a councilmember said she could never find parking around the station, so I made a quick check today. Of course there is always more than enough parking in the large Jules Francard Grove lot but at 10:25 am on Friday, 31st March, 2006, these 49 slots are available around the station:

Rt. Hand front of station -
4 spaces - all available (0 in use)

Kiss and Ride in front of station -
19 spaces - 15 available (4 in use)

Tennis Courts/Carolan -
16 spaces - 15 available (1 in use)

Carolans adjacent to tracks -
11 spaces - 10 available (1 in use)

South Lane -
6 spaces - 5 available (1 in use)

Hope this will help!

- Written by Fiona

You Can Never Have too Many Books!

From the City - SPRING BOOK SALE AT THE BURLINGAME PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Burlingame Library Foundation invites the public to its Spring Book Sale Friday, April 21, Saturday, April 22, and Sunday, April 23, 2006. The sale will feature a hand-picked selection of donated used books at bargain prices.

Admission for the Friday, April 21 evening opening, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., is $5 and features a first look at all sale books. Admission is free Saturday, April 22, 10 am to 5 pm., and Sunday, April 23, 1 pm to 4 pm. Sunday is "Bags of Books" day. Fill a grocery bag with selected books for only $5. The sale takes place in the Library's Lane Community Room, 480 Primrose Road at Bellevue. Entrance to the sale is at the Bellevue entrance. All proceeds benefit the Burlingame Public Library's special children's programs.

The Foundation welcomes and appreciates greatly donations of books and audio-visual items which are salable. Books may be donated to the sale at the circulation desk of the main library. Foundation telephone: 650-558-7404

It is fun to volunteer at these book sales!

- Written by Fiona

Extra help

From the Daily Journal:

The board also approved a new five-year graduation plan for English learners. The program gives students who need an extra year to acquire the skills needed to successfully finish high school. Students choose to take the option and if they catch up, by taking extra classes at night or during the summer, can get back on track for a four-year graduation plan, said ELD Coordinator Devra Miller. The program will serve about 40 students per year at the various schools within the district, she said. Cohn-Lyle said she'd like to see the five-year option expanded in the future to include English-speaking students who are not up to par when they enter high school.

- Written by Fiona

Next Council Meeting

The Burlingame City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a pilot parking permit program in the Burlingame area. The 90-day trial would allow businesses and residents to purchase a permit for $40 per month granting unlimited access to any of 11 parking lots.

At the same meeting it will hold a public hearing to amend the retirement contract for the police employees. The change would establish a 3 percent pay per year the employee had worked once they reached the age of 50.

It will also hold a public hearing on the Broadway Area Business Improvement District 2006 to 2007 assessments.

The council meets 7 p.m. Monday, April 3 at City Hall Chambers, 501 Primrose Road.

- Written by Fiona

Easton Reforestation Meeting

From the City:

LONG RANGE REFORESTATION PLAN FOR EASTON DRIVE - COMMUNITY MEETING
The Burlingame Beautification Commission has been asked by the City Council to develop a future replacement plan for the eucalyptus trees on Easton Drive when they exceed their maturity and decline. The public is invited to attend a general discussion for this project to be held on Thursday, April 6, at 7:00 pm at Our Lady of Angels School,Upper Hall, in the gymnasium (enter from either the Cortez or Cabrillo gate entrance). Before developing a specific recommendation, we would like to hear your perspective and give you an opportunity to see pictures of the trees we are considering. Your comments, e-mailed to: [email protected] are also welcome in advance of the meeting.

- Written by Fiona

Negotiation Points

Heather's article - Walkway, South Lane to be closed in Burlingame

Burlingame residents should cherish South Lane and the walkway through the Burlingame train station since the City Council came to the realization Tuesday, both must be closed. The Burlingame City Council, with the help of a number of residents, looked at the current Caltrain proposal for the Burlingame train station as well as a couple options drafted by the city during a study session Tuesday. The group decided on a number of issues to continue negotiating on, like types of materials used, parking and reduced fencing. At the same meeting, the council agreed closing both South Lane and the pedestrian walkway through the train station are inevitable. The bottom line is we can't have mid-crossing. Let's work on making things aesthetically more pleasing,? said Councilwoman Ann Keighran.

The Caltrain proposal to close the pedestrian walkway and South Lane access routes to improve safety and make train service more efficient was shot down by the City Council in February. The council, however, opted not to vote and asked to further discuss options to maintain pedestrian crossing, take another look at South Lane and see complete landscape proposals. Recently, the city took a different version of Caltrain's proposal with an updated pedestrian walkway to the California Public Utilities Commission. It was shot down for a number of reasons, including safety and current standards. The commission even alluded to taking legal action to close the walkway if the city decided against it, said Assistant Public Works Director Syed Murtuza. The council decided to accept this direction and focus on the look of the future train station. More landscaping was requested along with a larger variety of plant options for the area. Mayor Cathy Baylock will meet to brainstorm further ideas with an arborist as well as the landscape architect who planned the current Caltrain plan.

The materials to be used were also questioned. Resident Charles Voltz presented photographs of other stations up and down the Caltrain line to highlight the lack of fencing at other stations between the platforms and parking or landscaping. If fencing is required, the general consensus is something like rod iron would be preferred over a chain-link fence. These photos also showed the variation in options for the coloration of the platforms and sidewalks. Many in attendance hoped for neutral colors, maybe something similar to Menlo Park with a burnt red hue. Baylock hoped to see wider sidewalk access on North Lane. Councilwoman Terry Nagel liked the idea of small border landscaping between the sidewalks on North Lane and the street as well as a small fence as a safety precaution. Public Works Director George Bagdon said the city will meet with Caltrain officials on the various items and hopefully bring back an updated plan in late April or early May.

Negotiation points

A resolution signed by Caltrain to reopen South Lane when grade separation occurs.
Narrow cobblestone area close to North Lane and replace with landscaping.
Widen the south sidewalk on North Lane up to 20 feet.
Use alternate parking in the city rather than building parking, so that parking does not affect leased business space.
Use rod iron fencing.
Reduce fencing.
More aesthetic parking and sidewalk.
More variety in landscaping.
Make pedestrian crossing lanes on Howard Avenue similar to the North Lane proposal.

- Written by Fiona

Train Station Study Session

Despite Horgan's comment that Burlingame residents should not care about their station because in the future it will be covered with wires, there is a study session tonight for those of us who do care about our station, our safety, our town and what $11 million can or cannot do for Burlingame:

WHERE: Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Avenue
TIME: 6:00 PM

- Written by Fiona

Clouds glorious clouds!

As we walk past our tree stumps with or without the word USA on them, remember the words of Henry David Thoreau - "Thank God, they cannot cut down the clouds!"

- Written by Fiona

Today in History

Two hundred and thirty years ago today the first Europeans visited the area that we now know as Burlingame. Lieutenant-Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza headed a land expedition that was to establish both a presidio and a mission in the area of San Francisco bay. He and his expedition camped for the night close to where the current Safeway is. You can read extracts from his diaries at the Burlingame Historical Society's website.

- Written by admin

Gangs in Burlingame?

Are we in denial thinking that Burlingame does not have a gang problem? Do we have a gang problem? How much of our graffitti is gang related? Are our schools being vigilant about this issue? Is our police force? Was last year's gang incident in Burlingame just an isolated case?

Important questions but does anyone have the answers?!

- Written by Fiona