Storey's Priorities & Vision for Burlingame

By Eric D Storey

• Community
• Public Space
• Business Infrastructure

Keep it Real. People love Burlingame, the schools, the restaurants, the walkability, the active climate, the diverse community.

When Eric is elected, you will have a voice at city hall.

• KEEP CITY HALLS LAND! Don't give it to developers for a quid pro quo deal. Transform it into a park for everyone to enjoy.

• 52% of Burlingame rents. Eric will take on the issue of affordable housing "Head on" even though it's a regional problem--there are things that can be done at a local level. Eric is a committee member of Envision Burlingame and tasked to seek the public's input on their long term vision of Burlingame; however, something needs to be done now or many of you won't be able to enjoy the fruits of that vision.

• Promote small business. Our small businesses are getting pushed out by higher rent increases that only Wall Street corporations can afford.

• Have a budget in line with the priorities of the community.

Keep it Real. There are two sides to Burlingame. You live in the vibrant community or live in the just getting by community because the cost of living is Too Damn High. A 3 bedroom condo on Almer Road is selling for $1,495,000. According to Zillow, 2 bedroom updated apartments are renting for around $3,415. The average household income in Burlingame is $84, 854 according to the city's website. You do the math.

Affordable housing is by far the biggest issue. Eric is the only candidate for city council with "skin in the game." He is a renter. Eric knows that every renter lives with a grey cloud over their head-- you can be evicted at any time without just cause.

Currently, there is plan for more affordable housing to be built on underutilized parking lots in Burlingame. Also, there is a vision for dense multifamily housing to be built along Rollins Road, which is zoned for higher height limits, and close to Bart. Eric supports mixed use housing and business on Howard Street. You can trust Eric will thoughtfully execute development pros and cons in Burlingame's 4.4 square miles, with your council.

Currently, the city is updating its General Plan that hasn't been updated in 30 years. The General Plan is a policy document that establishes the "ground rules" for development decisions, including conserving resources, designing new projects, expanding public services, and improving community amenities.

Public Space

Keep it Real. No new large parks have been built in Burlingame since MAN LANDED ON THE MOON, even though the population has grown by the thousands.

Eric wants to KEEP CITY HALLS LAND in public hands and not to give it away to a developer. It would make the perfect park in an area of high residential density. Moreover, many condos and apartments in the area do not have back yards for kids and adults to play in. Plus, man's best friend could use a spot of grass to roll and run in.

The old post office screams to be a public gathering space, such as a piazza. However, the Wang-Lu Family Revocable Trust owns the property and wants to build condominiums, retail and office space on it. Stanley Lo of Green Banker on Primrose Road brokered the deal to buy the property. Documentary tax records in San Mateo County reveal the trust paid $15.7 million.

The Bay Trail should be connected into one cohesive front on the shoreline. Eric will advocate for an exercise park, skateboard park, and more dog parks to be built. I have seen the plans for a new Bayview Park, but it's on hold.

Burlingame is in desperate need for more tot lots and Eric supports an expansion of the current one on Primrose Road that was built in the 70's. Eric frequents that lot with his daughter--it's overcrowded.

Improving current park facilities for sport teams and using greywater to irrigate the grounds.

Eric supports undergrounding utilities and adding more green energy alternatives.

Introduce an electrical charging station for cars on Broadway.

Sea levels are rising. Eric is working with community leaders to thoughtfully plan for that reality.

The tree canopy on El Camino Real is a signature look for Burlingame. We should protect it. Eric is not going to mess with the most powerful person in Burlingame--the arborist.

Business Infrastructure | Last Mile

Keep it Real. Make it safe and convenient for Burlingame commuters and leisure riders to get around. California Street is a main commuter route for Bart in Millbrae, and should be made safer for cyclists. We should consider implementing a bike share program that's unique with Burlingame's character and history. The City of San Mateo and Caltrans have revived efforts to create a new on/off ramp for Peninsula Avenue, which will affect some Burlingame businesses and residents, but will greatly improve traffic flow in that area.

Everyone agrees that parking during peak business hours in the downtown business corridors is a nightmare. We need a new parking garage and city planners estimate that it will cost between 10-20 million dollars.

Eric supports building a ferry terminal on the Bayfront, which will help meet the state's goals of reducing carbon emissions.

Burlingame Business

Keep it Real. Burlingame gets most of its general fund money from the hotels on Bayfront. Many of those travelers spend money on restaurants and other services in Burlingame. There's a free shuttle that connects all the hotels with downtown Burlingame business districts, however this enclosed industrial looking vehicle looks uninviting. Eric proposes that we introduce an open air shuttle, perhaps a cable car that looks more inviting.

Eric supports more "Off the Grid" type pop-up business on California Street, such as local artisans and retailers selling goods.

Broadway is in desperate need of a facelift. The two gas stations that buttress the Broadway sign are very ugly and unappealing--just saying. Also, there are dead trees that need to be removed and replaced on streetscape. Broadway is in desperate need of a tot lot and some green space to make it more inviting, which will bring in more business. Eric will harvest relationships between public and private partnerships to invest in Burlingame business infrastructure.

Eric supports the development of a boutique hotel in downtown Burlingame. We can use a mixture of tax and investment opportunities to entice business to do business in Burlingame.

Vote Eric Storey for Burlingame City Council 2015!