1 BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
City Council Study Session on February 3, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER
A duly noticed meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in person and via Zoom at 5:30 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Brownrigg, Colson, Pappajohn, Stevenson, Thayer MEMBERS ABSENT: None
3. REQUEST FOR AB 2449 REMOTE PARTICIPATION
Councilmember Thayer requested to appear remotely at the Council meeting pursuant to AB 2449.
Councilmember Colson made a motion to allow Councilmember Thayer to appear remotely pursuant to AB 2449; seconded by Councilmember Pappajohn. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0.
4. STUDY SESSION
a. BROADWAY SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT UPDATE AND EMERGING VISION FRAMEWORK DISCUSSION
CDD Zayer provided an overview of the outreach and work that has been done thus far on the Broadway Specific Plan. She noted that the Broadway Grade Separation Project would impact the Broadway Specific Plan regarding whether or not the Broadway Station would remain open. She explained that this study session would imagine that the station remains open.
MIG Consultant Dan Amsden explained that in January 2019, the City adopted a new General Plan known as “Envision Burlingame” that established a future vision for Broadway.
Mr. Amsden stated that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (“MTC”) provided funding to the City to prepare the Broadway Specific Plan including community engagement to identify ways for the City to accommodate future growth based on MTC Transit-Oriented Community policies:
• Increase the overall housing density/supply and prioritize affordable housing in transit-rich areas
2 • Increase commercial densities for new development in transit-rich areas near regional transit hubs • Prioritize bus transit, active transportation and shared mobility within and to/from transit-rich areas, particularly to equity priority communities located more than one half-mile from transit stops or stations
• Support and facilitate partnerships to create equitable transit-oriented communities within the San Francisco Bay Area Region
Mr. Amsden reviewed the area that the Broadway Specific Plan would cover. He explained that the plan area is bounded by California Drive to the east, El Camino Real to the west, Lincoln Avenue to the north and Carmelita Avenue to the south.
Mr. Amsden discussed the goals of the project:
• Policy
o Promote affordable housing
o Support economic development
o Align with general plan policies
• Infrastructure
o Improve safety and accessibility
o Study historic preservation
o Evaluate parking exemptions
• Mobility
o Expand bicycle and pedestrian network
o Increase transit access
o Improve regional connections
o Encourage transit-oriented development
Mr. Amsden reviewed the community engagement goals of the project. He explained that the City was committed to a multi-pronged approach to community engagement that captured the ideas of workers, residents, and users in an authentic and detailed manner for the timely advancement of the Broadway Specific Plan. He discussed the goals of the community outreach:
• Gather input that reflects the diversity of Burlingame residents, business owners, property owners, and visitors
• Ensure that outreach is accessible and everyone who wishes to participate can participate • Better understand residents’, employers’, and employees’ lived experiences, current challenges, and desires for future improvements
• Offer engagement tools to accommodate business and property owner interests and preferences • Foster community buy-in and capacity building to support the future Broadway area land use, streetscape, and mobility improvements
Mr. Amsden discussed the different groups that were formed to assist with the development of the Broadway Specific Plan including the Technical Advisory Committee. He noted that the Technical Advisory Committee discussed the importance of supporting Broadway as a local business area. He added that the
3 challenges that the committee outlined were the Broadway Station and the proximity of this area to the 101. He stated that the Community Advisory Committee articulated many of the same concerns and assets.
Mr. Amsden stated that during the public outreach, they asked the community what vision elements they wanted/liked the most for Broadway. He reviewed the votes cast for each element:
• Safe – 202
• Thriving – 170
• Welcoming - 150
• Active – 145
• Connected – 125
• Housing – 61
Mr. Amsden reviewed the community’s feedback on streetscape improvements for Broadway. He noted that out of 431 responses, 49.4% of responses indicated support for more landscaping with street trees and shrubs, and 47.4% of responses indicated support for wider sidewalks with clear pedestrian pathways and amenities. He stated that there were concerns about adding bicycle lanes because of how narrow the corridor is.
Mr. Amsden reviewed the Broadway Vision Framework, which provides an overview of the emerging high- level components of the Broadway Specific Plan. He stated that the framework is built upon a foundation of ideas, best practices, and community feedback received during the following events and technical analysis:
• Technical Advisory Committee meetings
• Community Advisory Committee meetings
• Pop-up events, workshops, and online community survey • Site tour and analysis by the project team
• Existing conditions and opportunities analysis
Mr. Amsden reviewed the five goals from the Broadway Vision Framework:
1. Welcoming – An inviting place for residents, business owners, workers, and visitors o Enhance Broadway’s gateways with unique design elements o Create a consistent and clear Broadway signage and branding program Install consistent wayfinding and signage throughout the corridor, maximizing visual recognition for bicyclists and drivers
Provide gateway signs marking the entry to the Broadway area at the junctions of California Drive and El Camino Real
o Support creative placemaking elements like murals, public art, historical markers, and temporary art installations
Install vibrant murals and directional historical markers on blank facades along underutilized pedestrian mews to pique interest and activate engaging spaces Display public art pieces at entry gateways of Broadway and El Camino Real
4 2. Supportive – destination for a mix of housing near jobs and transit o Accommodate new housing through a range of types and affordabilities o Leverage the Broadway Station as the center of a new TOD area that includes mixed use development
o Encourage new development to respect the local character of the Broadway neighborhood o Designe mixed-use projects so they transition in scale when adjacent to residential areas o Upgrade infrastructure to support current and future uses
3. Thriving – place to grow locally-serving and dynamic businesses o Support local businesses that provide vibrancy and community serving amenities o Diversify and innovate the local business experience
Encourage new uses and businesses by providing flexibility that allows for a wide variety of uses that contribute to and enhance Broadway’s economic vitality o Accommodate a variety of business sizes and types
o Support micro and experiential retail concepts by including opportunities for on-demand retail and food service companies
4. Connected – pedestrian-scale corridor, supported by a multi-modal neighborhood o Create a safer and comfortable circulation for pedestrians and create sustainable landscapes and a robust tree canopy
o Improve bicycle circulation within the plan area and to surrounding uses and bicycle paths o Increase opportunities for local regional transit connectivity o Consider traffic calming measures and design features where necessary to improve safety o Improve parking access and efficiency
o Ensure efficient emergency vehicle access
5. Active – dynamic destination with a range of spaces, activities, and events o Encourage active programmed special events and celebrations along Broadway o Create distinct public spaces that can be enjoyed by the community o Allow opportunities for temporary retail and dining
o Allow flexibility in the use and function of Broadway to allow community events and activities
Mr. Amsden reviewed the project’s next steps:
• Community Workshop #2
• Pop-up events
• Planning Commission meeting
• City Council Meeting
• Preferred Specific Plan Alternative (Spring 2025)
• Draft Specific Plan (Summer 2025)
Councilmember Pappajohn asked in regard to the Active goal, if the community gave feedback that they wanted to have a neighborhood feel to the Broadway district or if they want regional events. She noted that the City is creating a Town Square in the Burlingame Avenue District and wasn’t sure if this would be duplicative. Mr. Amsden replied that the community wanted Broadway to remain more local. He explained that the community discussed farmers’ markets and the desire for public outdoor space.
5 Councilmember Colson asked about the MTC grant that the City received to undertake this project. She noted that the Broadway Station is only open on the weekends and asked what would happen if the station closes. Mr. Amsden replied that the original intent was to have more stops at the Broadway Station. He added that this plan keeps options in place for the station.
CDD Zayer explained that MTC has a TOC policy that is part of the Bay Area 2050 Vision. She stated that all jurisdictions within MTC’s area have the option to voluntarily apply these policies within a half mile radius of train stations. She added that MTC doesn’t identify stations by whether or not they have weekday stops.
She noted that if the Broadway Station is permanently closed, then the City would have to discuss whether they would follow the TOC policy for this area of the city.
CDD Zayer stated that MTC is encouraging communities to follow its TOC policies by tying OBAG funding to it. She explained that transit funding will be tied to cities following MTC’s TOC policies.
Councilmember Colson discussed the option of removing surfacing parking lots in the Broadway Specific Plan framework. She noted that this wouldn’t affect her because she bikes or walks. However, she explained a lot of older people depend on the lots. She asked if the neighbors near Broadway have provided feedback on this option. Mr. Amsden replied that the community voiced concern about removing parking on the street. However, he added that as the parking lots currently exist, they are hard to find.
Councilmember Colson stated that according to the staff report housing was ranked the lowest in terms of priority.
Councilmember Colson voiced concern about the plan. She noted that there is a small amount of room to play with for this plan. She wanted to see more outreach and more members of the public participating in the discussion.
Councilmember Thayer voiced concern about removing parking lots in the Broadway District. She also discussed the connection between Broadway and the 101. She discussed the need to ensure that traffic flows through Broadway while maintaining pedestrian safety.
Vice Mayor Brownrigg stated that he found the project to be underwhelming. He thought it was unrealistic to think that the gas stations would be developed into multi-family dwellings. He discussed the community’s desire for wider sidewalks, and he wanted to know what would happen if Broadway moved to parallel parking. He asked how many parking spots would be used if this was done.
Vice Mayor Brownrigg stated that the City had done a great job creating housing and didn’t want to see the City shoehorn housing into an area just because MTC wants it. He stated that he would like to see the consultants let the community know that if they want wider sidewalks (as an example) it would cost them parking.
6 Councilmember Colson discussed the State Housing Density Bonus. She asked that the report include what would happen if a developer utilizes the bonus. She explained that it would give the public a better understanding of the height and size of developments that could be included in the Broadway District. CDD Zayer replied in the affirmative.
Mayor Stevenson discussed the need to do more outreach. He asked that the consultants look at different ways to engage with the public as he wasn’t sure they understood the tradeoffs for the things they wanted versus what they would have to give up.
Mayor Stevenson opened the item up for public comment.
Linda Field voiced concern about creating more housing and congestion around Broadway.
Mayor Stevenson closed public comment.
Vice Mayor Brownrigg discussed public outreach. He suggested sandwich boards on the sidewalks to alert individuals of upcoming meetings.
Councilmember Colson stated that she liked the notion of more public art and public spaces on Broadway and on the side streets. She also appreciated that the plan proposed that this stay a local business area.
Councilmember Thayer thanked staff for their work on this project. She added that she would like to see more outreach and community input on this project.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 6:44 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel-Shearer
City Clerk