Apologies for the late posting of this, bloggers. The editors have been busy stimulating the economy and, in one case, the travel industry at the same time. Here is the current events portion of the San Mateo Daily Journal article that is in great demand. We ask that any hammering be done carefully and on topic.
The possibility of a physical barrier running through town was a poignant problem for all four candidates who noted the city simply will not support such a measure.
Baylock described a lifted track as an unacceptable option.
Keighran wanted the tracks to either be tunneled or run along Interstate 280 with shuttle options from the downtown train station. Brownrigg agreed, noting the city is starting to come together to fight a physical barrier but is behind efforts of other local cities. Partnering together, he said, will only strengthen Burlingame’s efforts.
O’Mahony worried high-speed rail plans could undo work done restoring the city’s historic train station.
While grade separation was not a change candidates were eager to allow, they were open to changes downtown. Burlingame began working on a downtown specific plan in recent years, an attempt to update the current one which dates back to the ’60s. That vision will last for years, and each candidate has a different approach as to what that vision should include.
Brownrigg wanted the plan to really work with helping businesses which would help the city expanding its own tax base. Auto dealers, for example, previously made up 40 percent to 50 percent of the city’s sales tax revenue. These dealers are hurting due to a need to keep inventory on hand. Working with those companies to change such requirements will allow those businesses to be more successful while opening space for small retail and possibly mixed use development, he said.
Expanding businesses to Howard Avenue is important to Keighran, who noted the completion of Safeway will help this effort. In addition, brining affordable housing options downtown will create a built-in market for retailers, she said.
O’Mahony agreed, but noted she was in favor of more density than others. She also noted Safeway should give Howard Avenue and Primrose Road the shot in the arm needed to drive businesses.
Baylock was in favor of smaller buildings, topping out at 35 feet. She wants to see a nice mix of density that isn’t too big because more will drive massive traffic that will change Burlingame from the small town it is at heart, she said. Downtown needs open space, with some sort of plaza incorporated. Baylock would also like to see family-oriented entertainment options.
Along with the plan came a historic registry list, which previously caused concern from some residents. Baylock is hopeful the list could be adopted to allow incentives for property owners who want to preserve and update buildings on the list.
Another city concern is the budget, from which millions were cut this year. The need for reductions was lessened a bit when property owners passed a sewer fee. Consolidation is one way the city has saved funds in the past. Further consolidation of departments was something each candidate would consider, but they differed in initial support.
Keighran was open to looking at a police merger, but noted she would tread carefully. She was interested in possibly merging portions such as dispatch or records. But she noted it was hard to say what she would favor without all the facts.
O’Mahony, on the other hand, had a police merger on the top of her list. Of the city’s $38 million general fund, $18 million goes to police and fire, which she said was unreasonable and cannot be maintained in the long term.
The city is part of a further study of fire merger. Burlingame currently shares fire services with Hillsborough. The biggest issue for this option, Baylock said, will be governance of the services if the merger grows.
Brownrigg was generally supportive of consolidating services, particularly when it came to senior positions which could result in a higher cost savings. Such changes would need to be examined on a case-by-case basis.
