1) Advocate of Flexible Parking, Safety and Affordable Housing.
2) Say No to Brisbane San Francisco Utility District (MUD)
3) Allow a modest residential development for Quarry Project
4) Residents must have their voice heard in the protection of San Bruno Mountain and the major developments currently before us -- the Baylands, the Quarry, and Along Bayshore.
6) Preserve the open spaces and save the San Bruno Mountain.
ISSUES AND OPINIONS ~ IT MATTERS!
DEVELOPMENT
Brisbane residents have to decide on several major developments, both in commercial (Baylands) and residential (The Quarry, and along Bayshore) sectors, that will have major impacts on generations to come.
Any one of these projects has the potential for grave consequences, if not thoroughly analyzed. Residents of Brisbane deserve to have their voice heard. City Council must have a clear understanding and expertise to direct the staff and help citizens make intelligent choices.
The Baylands:
Potential development:
- Large retail/wholesale businesses, warehouses, auto mall, biotechnology research facilities.
Potential problems:
- Severe environmental, safety, security, seismic, geotechnical, transportation related impacts, danger to marine wildlife at the lagoon.
Jameel's Opinion:
- In favor of putting this project on a ballot. If the citizens vote in favor will help the council with my expertise in this field to come up with the best option for Brisbane.
The Quarry:
Potential development:
- 68 residential homes.
Potential problems:
- Severe geotechnical and geological results land and rock slides threat to endangered species, existing hiking trails traffic congestion.
Jameel's Opinion:
- If the citizens decide in favor in this already agreed-upon vote, will recommend that the Council conduct comprehensive geotechnical and geological investigations during every phase of the design and not proceeed with construction until all concerns are properly handled
- The hiking trails and butterfly habitat must be protected at all times.
Along Bayshore:
Potential development:
- Potential for large residential and commercial development.
Potential problems:
- Landslides and ground instability.
- Traffic safety and congestion.
- Impact to nearby houses.
Jameel's Opinion:
- Comprehensive slope stability analyses are necessary to fully evaluate the slope stability problems before the final approval of any project.
- Ingress and egress from any project to Bayshore must be carefully analyzed to avoid any potential for traffic accidents and congestion.
- Low income housing requirements must not be compromised.
PARKING
Brisbane continues to have parking problems.
Jameel's Opinion:
- Will recommend that the Council adopt flexible parking standards tailored to local geographical conditions.
- Ensure that the street striping program takes into account the needs of residents.
- Enforce the regulations in order to get abandoned vehicles off our streets.
SAFETY
Several locations in Brisbane pose severe potential for serious accidents. For example, Tulare Street has only a single means of access and there is a sharp steep turn at Humboldt and Glen Park.
Jameel's Opinion:
- Safety should never be compromised because of expense. Safety improvements of our streets and roads must be given the highest priority.
- Will develop a short and a long term plan to fix the safety problems of our streets and roads.
SENIOR AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
With the increasing cost of housing in the Bay area our senior and lower income residents cannot afford to live in town.
Jameel's Opinion:
I will recommend that the Council adopt an affordable housing ordinance.
- Require all new housing developments of eight or more units to include affordable housing.
- Work with non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
- Encourage affordability by offering incentives like tax breaks, redevelopment funds, partnership applications for all possible local, state and federal funds,and quick permit approval processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
Major Projects Like The Baylands and The Quarry
- Will generate large quantities of waste materials during and after construction.
- Will consume tremendous amounts of natural resources (natural gas, electricity, water, etc). .
- Protection of Natural Resources and Environment. Has been a part of my professional activity for decades. From 1970 to 1974, I was a member of a research team at the University of California studying the global impact of carbon. I developed a model to predict the impact of the global carbon cycle. The results of these studies were published in two technical journals. In 1974, I researched and published technical papers on the distribution of pesticides in San Joaquin County. In 1978, I was assigned to study the environmental impact of liquefied natural gas facilities proposed to be sited at Point Conception, Santa Barbara and Oxnard, California. From 1978 to 2003, I worked for the State of California Public Utilities Commission. I was responsible for reviewing environmental impact reports (EIR) prepared by various government agencies and private developers for the construction of railroad crossings.
- Waste and Energy Management. With the proposal of two large developments, Brisbane faces massive toxic waste cleanup, transportation/traffic impacts, waste management, air pollution, noise pollution, effect on wildlife at the nearby lagoon, energy conservation and use of alternative energy sources, and the incorporation of green building and smart growth strategies. Brisbane must now adopt definite green building and alternative energy policies. I will recommend changes to the current planning codes by looking at the form-based codes adopted by other cities in California. We need to preserve our precious natural resources, open spaces, and the use of alternative sources of energy.
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