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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Please read the Daily Journal if you, like me, are interested in the bullying going on in Burlingame. Many of us are concerned that the businesses in the Pez/Anugrah buildings are being legislated out of businesses with the help of the comrades in arms.

The GOOD news is that there are more enlightened councilmembers who are trying to improve our town and not destroy it. Councilwoman Baylock suggested that this part of Burlingame should be rezoned as non-auto row so that small businesses can be part of the Burlingame Avenue business district.

The BAD are the following:

(1) The news article says Mr. Galligan said if there are plans to expand the car man's auto dealership and displace seven businesses in the process "he would like direction from the council before it heads to the Planning Department"

(2) Mr. Nantell emailed me that "I believe that conditional use Permits for Sub Area D will be called before the Council after review by the planning commission's decision not instead of"

(3) Most of us heard in Tuesday's Council meeting that conditional permits must go to council before the planning commission reviews them.

(4) I had emailed Mr. Nantell and Mrs. Monroe to clarify this change of procedure and if this new procedure applies to any other parts of Burlingame.

(5) For Galligan to say he does not know of Harvey's plans is specious. Everyone around town knows his plans (see below) and it was in the local newspaper that he had put in a low bid on the Anugrah building and was outbid by a buyer who is now getting cold feet. Wonder why?!

(6) Galligan is quoted as saying "the city is not against small businesses since there are many small businesses on Broadway". How ridiculous is that? There should be room for small businesses in the Burlingame Avenue district. Why not for Gods sake?

(7) O'Mahony does not know if Harvey's plans "are a sure thing. I heard him say it, but I've heard him say alot of things in the past". Obviously she knows about his plans but Galligan doesn't? Yeaaah right!

(8) "Harvey is keeping specifics close to the vest" And his attorney's!

You choose what the UGLY is in this picture!

– Written by Fiona

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4 responses to “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”

  1. Jenn

    To be healthy downtowns, we need a mix of both chains and independents. The mix has gotten very lopsided on Burlingame Avenue, and interestingly enough, some biggies like Noahs and Abecrombies have left; I’m sure there will be more that opt out, yet the enormous spaces that these businesses created for themselves years ago are obviously not affordable to the little guy. Is this a sign? People around town have started to talk about stagnation (and NOT because we didn’t approve that horrible Safeway) comparing us unfavorably to San Mateo’s rejuvinated historic district, where everyone wants to be, where pride is taken in what they have. There is nothing to define us or set us apart from every mall, except our train station (which is being engulfed by new parking spaces.) Will an expanded auto row set us apart and rejuvinate this town; I think not… this all under the guise of Smart Growth and mixed-use (which in this case isn’t, no matter which way you spin it).

  2. rich grogan

    It has been my experience in life that what is being touted as “law’/rule” really isn’t. Some of the information being bantered around appears to be “past practice” predicated on word of mouth as opposed to being codified.

    What I would like to know is if the handling procedure for USE PERMITS is codified or has the procedure been dealt with via “word of mouth?”

  3. Fiona

    This is really a battle between the geese and the goslings – to use the former mayor’s analogy.

    The geese have more geese-shepherds and the goslings don’t. For someone who treasures all kinds of different businesses, we need less cash-cow geese and a few more goslings.

    The one thing that always astonishes me is that we have three cobblers in town which shows that not everthing has to be a dress store. But where is the butcher, the baker (oops on California Drive) and the candlestick maker!

  4. Jenn

    We went through a phase, not that long ago, maybe mid-90’s, where the fish market, a meat market and a hardware store all disappeared for lack of business, and high rents. The amazing thing is that I do think had those businesses been able to hang on awhile longer, they might have made it. There is a large segment of the population now, that can spend close to 2 million on a home, and would not have a problem shopping in exclusive meat and fish markets, who would pay a little extra for hardware, just to have it close by, within strolling distance. Look at the success of the ferry building: exclusive food shops, expensive, and they are packed by locals most of whom walk there. I also predict that we are pretty maxed out on restaurants, with a given number of potential customers, having several good ones from which to chose. If a restaurant indeed moves into the California Drive corner, it is yet another “mouth to feed; I love our restaurants, but think that one might be one too many of a good thing. It will also kill that corner, which will be lifeless when the restaurant is closed.

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