Residents in Burlingame, California have filed the following report of a recent victory in a long-standing battle in their hometown: “Safeway is proposing to build a monster 66,000 sq ft. megastore in our vibrant downtown. The proposed store is bigger than a football field and turns its back on the downtown, a design which would forever alter the character of Burlingame’s downtown shopping village. Safeway’s proposal brings heavy truck traffic onto quiet town streets, provides insufficient parking for the number of anticipated customers, destroys a large number of old growth heritage trees, and its “big-box” design and sea-of-parking are pedestrian-hostile. The City’s Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) shows that there are at least two viable alternatives to Safeway’s proposal — each of which is demonstrably better for Burlingame, however Safeway refuses to acknowledge the desires of the town’s own citizens. By a stunning vote of 6-1, on May 1 the Burlingame Planning Commission denied Safeway’s application to build a 66,000 sq. ft. shopping complex in downtown Burlingame. Safeway appealed the decision to the City Council, and a decision on the matter is slated for August. This has been a long running battle lasting nearly 5 years to date, and will be continuing for some time to come. Safeway unfortunately is deaf to the desire of local residents and continues to push for its monster project in the middle of a quaint little downtown. Citizens for a Better Burlingame is a grass-roots coalition of concerned citizens, merchants and property owners dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life in Burlingame by encouraging “smart growth” development that enhances the unique character and success of downtown Burlingame.”
For more information about the battle in Burlingame, go to www.betterburlingame.org, and email [email protected]
