Important news about Safeway!

Safeway is back in the news again because a local architect has sketched a vision for the property that includes a large Safeway store as well as other retail stores, condominiums, a main plaza, water features, extensive landscaping, walkways to surrounding shopping areas and underground parking.

The Burlingame City Council will hold a special study session to seek public input on the plan this Wednesday, November 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Lane Room at the Burlingame Public Library, 480 Primrose Road.

The plan has been proposed by Dan Ionescu of DIAP Architects in San Mateo, who spoke recently at a community forum on smart growth. He incorporates the ideas of mixed-use, high-density housing along a transportation corridor and easy pedestrian access in his concept drawing, which he drew at his own expense.

City Manager Jim Nantell said, “It is important that people understand this is not a proposal that is in any way connected with Safeway, the owners of the property.” Rather, he said, the presentation is designed to give community members a “tangible example to test the community’s interest in what is clearly being reflected in many communities’ general plans. The dialogue allows us to have a community discussion without the emotion and expense of a specific proposal by a developer.”

He also noted that this meeting was scheduled quickly due to conflicting schedules of council members and Dan Ionescu. If this meeting were not held this week, it could not be held until January.

I urge you to attend this important meeting to help our community leaders get a sense of what type of project you would like built on the Safeway site. The issue of what to build on the property has divided our community and has virtually stopped communication between those who favored and those who opposed the previous 67,000 square foot plan proposed by Safeway. I view this meeting as an important step toward reaching consensus on a project that will benefit both Safeway and Burlingame.

Please plan on attending this important meeting on Wednesday!

Improving Burlingame’s Web site

If you would like to offer ideas for improving the city’s Web site at www.burlingame.org, please come to a meeting with City Manager Jim Nantell and the city’s current Web maintenance specialist on Saturday, November 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Lane Room at the Burlingame Public Library.

You don’t have to be a Web designer to attend; just study our current Web site and come with suggestions for enhancements. Among the suggestions so far are posting staff reports before each City Council meeting, making it possible to take out permits online and setting up a city calendar of events.

If you plan to attend or have any questions, please contact me at (650) 347-3576 or via email at: terry@terrynagel.com

Hope to see you on Wednesday!