Council Approves Assessment District for Burlingame Avenue

The Burlingame City Council moved forward with securing funding for the by approving forming an Burlingame Avenue assessment district Monday night.

After tabulating votes from the affected property owners on Burlingame Avenue, City staff announced that, without a majority protest, they could create an assessment district.

“It’s been somewhat of a long process, but I think the end result is going to be quite favorable,” said Vice Mayor Ann Keighran, after thanking City staff, property owners, merchants and council for their work. “I think the community is going to benefit from this, in addition to all the businesses on Burlingame Avenue…let’s progress forward.”

The suggestion of an assessment district was originally placed on the table due to the expected benefits a new streetscape will bring local business, as more people want to visit and spend time on an updated Burlingame Avenue.

If a majority of property owners voted against the district, it could not be formed. Ballots were weighed based on the proposed amount each parcel pays.

At the final tally, 34 of 50 ballots were received. The district passed with 56.32 percent of votes. Thirteen ballots received, or 43.68 percent, voted against the assessment district.

The district is estimated to bring in an annual total of $335,787.

The streetscape improvements are coupled with necessary utility upgrades for Burlingame Avenue. While the street must be torn up for water and sewer line replacement, it was suggested Burlingame Avenue undergo a streetscape update, as well, for increased commercial vitality, since its last makeover was in 1969.

“It’s a huge step forward,” said Councilmember Cathy Baylock. “[It] gives us an opportunity to do some really positive things for the street.”

The duel project comes with an estimated price tag of $15.9 million. The city can fund $11.475 million through various funds, such as the state gas tax, Measure A grant, and parking meter rate increases.

The Council approved in the downtown area in April, which will generate $450,000 per year.

The new streetscape will include 50 percent more sidewalk space, parallel parking, intersection bulb-outs with shorter cross walks for pedestrian safety, new street trees and street lights, bicycle racks and benches, hanging flower baskets and landscaping, more signage and gateway entry columns. Outdated water, sewer and storm drain systems will be replaced, and the road and sidewalks will be repaved.

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