The Burlingame Voice

Gridlock on B'way?

I'm finding it hard to believe the idea of moving Off the Grid from the Caltrain parking lot onto Broadway proper during a weekday rush hour is getting any real consideration, but since it might be, here is a post on the idea for comments.  The Daily Journal piece yesterday captured some opinions:

John Kevranian, owner of Nuts for Candy on Broadway and member of the Broadway Business Improvement District, made a proposal last week to Off The Grid and to the city of Burlingame to have the food trucks on Broadway instead of the Caltrain Broadway station parking lot to better promote Broadway. He wants to close Broadway from Chula Vista to Capuchino avenues Tuesday nights from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. and have the food trucks and the Broadway merchants participate for a 90-day trial period. Tuesdays are traditionally quieter than Thursdays for Broadway businesses.

and another approach from our lumvinary

Meanwhile, other Broadway business owners were in support of the idea, but didn’t feel like food trucks were negatively impacting businesses on Broadway. Sending someone to Off the Grid with coupons for their businesses would have benefited them, said Weimax Wines & Spirits owner Gerald Weisl. Blaming Off the Grid is just an excuse, he said.

The thing I really don't get is where this next comment is coming from since I have never heard it before:

(Kevranian) also noted it’s hurtful to hear community members saying there’s nothing compelling about Broadway merchants. He believes the city turned the community against Broadway.

Wha?  The "community" has considered B'way the locals' district for years (as opposed to the Avenew's sheen) and what exactly has the city done here to date?  I don't get it.  We'll see about the rezoning option Jerry Deal dangles at the end of the article.  I do know you cannot clear B'way of parked cars, police the closure for four-plus hours and reopen it for $187.50 per week  (i.e. the $750 a month Off the Grid is paying now).  And talk about a loss of parking spaces...Oy!

 

Hoover Back at the Blackboard

Thanks to all of you bloggers who have kept the June thread on Hoover School active.  You can see from that post's comments that it remains a hot button issue in town and the ruling last week will keep it on the front burner.  Today's Daily Journal article notes

San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Marie Weiner ruled Wednesday in favor of the Alliance for Responsible Neighborhood Planning that sued the district, stating it needs to prepare a full environmental impact report on traffic impacts since its initial traffic study was inadequate. A tentative decision was first issued Oct. 9.

The ruling further states an EIR is required under the California Environmental Quality Act for at least traffic and parking impacts on this proposed project.

“The court concludes that there is substantial evidence in the administrative record for a fair argument that the Hoover Elementary School Project, under the initial study and mitigated negative declaration that were adopted by respondent, might have a significant environmental impact,” the ruling stated.

There is more detail in the newspaper article and I'm sure the bloggers who are following this will weigh in.

High Cost Rail - Part 96 3 Wins for the Taxpayers

I'm sure there will be more news coverage like this bit from the SacBee, but I got a quick brief straight from one of the most informed people in the country on today's ruling.  He writes

A short while ago, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny ruled in favor of the plaintiffs on Part One of the case Tos, Fukuda and Kings County versus the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

This ruling rescinds the Authority's Funding Plan and therefore the ability of the State of California to match federal funds used for construction.  In short, all federal monies spent on construction to date and from henceforth will be all that can be spent on construction. There will be no access to matching funds.  And to date it is only federal money spent (wasted) on construction.

Judge Kenny also ruledin favor of Defendants (the people of California) in the Validation Suit filed by the State in an attempt to disallow suits against the Authority  This ruling allows further lawsuits to be filed, as well as raises sveral questions about the legality of the conduct of the Authority.

Nice way to start the week!  A lot of people have put a lot of personal time and money into this effort and they deserve the thanks of every taxpayer in the state.

High-cost Rail Part 95 BART Issues

I was travelling last week so I missed the news of the "computer glitch" that took down BART for more than two hours, but the Wall Street Journal report about it noted

Much of BART's infrastructure is aging and its cars, computers and electrical system are among the oldest in the country, according to Elizabeth Deakin, professor of city and regional planning at the University of California, Berkeley.  "BART has done a heroic job of keeping its system running" she said, but added: "It can't go on forever."

I have an idea, why don't we spend $100 billion or more on a high-speed rail system to LA instead of fixing it?

Disaster of Historic Proportions

A four-alarm fire that spread to the historic Gates house on Donnelly Avenue was reported at 3:49 am according to a breaking news report in the Daily Journal.  It appears to have started next door at 1218 Donnelly which is also an original residence on Donnelly as shown here.

The Journal notes "Nearly 70 firefighters were called to battled the four-alarm blaze, which spread into the building's attic and completely burned out the inside, according to the fire marshal."  It then jumped the driveway to the Gates house which appears to be heavily damaged but perhaps not as badly as 1218.  The distinctive turret has been a fixture downtown for a long time.  I'm sure our historic aces will be able to give us a lot of background on the family's contribution to B'game.

My 1939 Directory indicates 1214 was occupied by a prominent B'gamer, G.W. Gates who was the town's first stationmaster and postmaster.   The Gates house is listed on the city's historic resource inventory here and here. 1218 and 1220 were occupied by the Imgrunds in 1939.

Timberjack Terry

Two letters regarding the El Camino Real widening project and the meeting held in the Lane Room of the Libray a few days back apprered in the SM Daily Journal today. The two are written from those who attended.

Letter #1:

Letter: Tear down the trees, Terry?

November 22, 2013, 05:00 AM Letter

Editor, Caltrans introduced the first phase of a multi-phase plan to tear down all the trees along El Camino from Floribunda north and widen El Camino Real, which was presented at the Burlingame Library Tuesday night (“Frustration mounts over Caltrans safety project” in the Nov. 21 edition of the Daily Journal). It was shocking to hear Councilwoman Terry Nagel apologize to Caltrans for citizens who were asking questions about Caltrans’ motives and the lack of data or information from the Caltrans representatives. Clearly, she could not hear her citizens through the sound of the upcoming chain saw. Timberjack Terry has failed to realize that Burlingame is the only city with a tree-lined main route through our city as our neighbors to the north and south have few to no trees at all, let alone heritage trees. Our clear-cutting Councilwoman Nagel has no concept on Caltrans plans for a Burlingame moonscape corridor. Thanks to Mayor Keighran for stepping up for the citizens. When our councilwoman cannot hear what the citizens are saying, then maybe it’s not the trees that should be cut.       Gene Condon Burlingame

Letter #2:

Letter: Goliath versus the trees

November 22, 2013, 05:00 AM Letter

Editor, This week, Goliath aka Caltrans tried to pull a fast one on the citizens of Burlingame. Under the disguise of a “safety improvement hearing,” they were starting phase one of removing the trees and widening El Camino in this fair town. The feisty and smart residents came out in force with questions and ideas to solve the problem, but Goliath caught flat-footed could not or maybe would not answer a single technical question. Townspeople pressed further and questioned why big money was being spent when the problem would be solved with a simple changing of the signal lights. Again, no answer by Goliath. Our tax money is being wasted and our public safety is put on hold due to Caltrans unchecked arrogance. Thank you to Mayor Ann Kieghran for demanding answers. Jeers for soon-to-be ex-councilwoman Terry Nagel, who took Goliath’s side.   Diane Wirgler Burlingame

Saying Goodbye

For those of you who couldn't make it to my wife Cathy Baylock's retirement ceremony from the B'game city council last night, here is a great photo of her and Mayor Ann Keighran as the mayor presented Cathy with a scrapbook recounting the last 12 years in office.  Heck, even if you were in council chambers, this shot by photog extraordaire Mark Hundley is a better view than we had.  Incoming mayor Michael Brownrigg is on the lower right and Anson himself is upper right.  A fun night was had by all.

The axeman a cometh

Will Caltrans begin cutting down the trees along El Camino Real? Maybe? A meeting is scheduled tomorrow in the Lane Room. Here is the notice. Be there if you care about our trees.

Best of Luck to Ricardo Ortiz

I have been lucky to have been involved in much positive change in Burlingame, including helping to create this blog. So it is appropriate for me to announce here that I will not seek a recount in the election that resulted in Mr. Ortiz gaining a seat on the Burlingame City Council by 8 votes. I congratulate him and wish him only the best. I also encourage him to blog here as well. Sincerest best of luck Ricardo.

Panther Pride in Play

With today's 48-0 shellacking of San Mateo in the Little Big Game, the BHS Panther football team completes an unbeaten season in league play.  I didn't want to jinx them by mentioning that possibility earlier, but after beating Mountain View, Gunderson, SSF, Jefferson, King's Academy, Aragon, Half Moon Bay, Capuchino, and Woodside--some by similar margins to today's victory--the run is complete at 10-0.

It was fun seeing the red "Got Paw?" T-shirts on the Avenew just minutes after the game ended.  Normally pre-printing shirts would be a risky move reserved for NFL teams, but the way the Panthers have been playing it wasn't too risky.  Now on to CCS!

Nov 30th update:  St. Ignatius 41   B'game 21 last night at BHS

I went to the CCS semi-finals last night and B'game put up a good fight but they were outmatched in the passing game and had some challenges holding onto the football--both running and passing.  Two quick touchdowns just before halftime made a game of it, but in the end the WCAL team prevailed.  Here's a shot of our great little field, players and cheerleaders.