"Tidbits of the City"

The following comprises a few special events and announcements we’d like to bring to your attention:

For all of next week, May 20-26, cities and various agencies across the nation will be celebrating National Public Works Week 2007. Instituted as a public education campaign by the American Public Works Association in 1960, National Public Works Week calls attention to the importance of public works in community life. Without clean running water, effective storm drains and sewers, sturdy roads and bridges, safe building codes, etc. – there wouldn’t be a foundation upon which to build our communities. Therefore, make sure to stop and take a moment to recognize the contributions which public works officials make every day for our health, safety, comfort, and quality of life, and then make an effort to show some appreciation to your Public Works crew!

Brisbane is facing the challenge of maintaining its small-town character while surrounding cities and suburbs are undergoing extreme levels of growth, but we are fortunate to have an ally that can be of assistance during this process. State Senator Leland Yee will be in attendance at this Monday’s Council meeting (5/21), so plan to be present as well!

One of the items on the agenda for Monday’s City Council meeting is in regards to an urgency ordinance for moratorium on formula retail stores in downtown Brisbane. This ordinance, which Council instructed staff to prepare during the 4/16 Council meeting in order to develop a long-term solution for retail within Brisbane, covers Visitacion Ave., parts of San Bruno Ave., and the Brisbane Village shopping center districts. The passage of this ordinance would not allow for any formula, or chain, stores to be established during the period of moratorium (45 days). Staff has already prepared an ordinance providing for an extension, which will be presented at the 6/18 Council meeting. If adopted with a 4/5ths vote, this ordinance would allow the extension to be effective for one year.

And lastly, Bike to Work Day proved to be a huge success, with an estimated 100,000 cyclists participating in this 13^th annual event! Kudos to all you bikers out there!

Join the fun this Thursday on Bike to Work Day!

The San Francisco Bay Area’s 13th annual Bike to Work Day will take place on Thursday, May 17, 2007 with all nine Bay Area counties participating in the celebration. The event is part of National Bike Month. “Energizer Stations” will be located along Bay Area county commute routes where bicyclists can stop for refreshments, giveaways, and bicycling information or simply to be ‘cheered on’ by fellow participants. Brisbane’s Energizer Station will be located on Lagoon Rd. @ Tunnel Ave., and open during the morning commute hours of 6:15-9:30 AM.

More than one million Bay Area residents live within five miles of their workplace, an ideal distance for bicycling. The work commute only represents 23% of all trips, so consider how you also may be able to bike to shop, to school, for errands, and for social events. In a world concerned with climate change, pollution, congestion and wasted time, the question should really be: Why not bike to work?

Next up for General Plan Update: Land Use Element

As one of the seven mandated elements of the General Plan, the Land Use Element plays an important role in unifying the other elements of the plan by providing an overall policy context. It deals with the central issues of growth and the quality of life in the community by striking a balance among the social, economic, and environmental costs and benefits associated with growth.

Beginning this Monday, May 7th, and scheduled to continue during subsequent City Council meetings (5/14 and 6/4), discussions will be held as staff provides Council with recommendations and receives direction on the following six organizing themes of the Land Use Element: General Principles, Bay and Mountain Setting, Nature and Character of Development, Open Space and Open Areas, Streets, and Subdivision Patterns. So if you've ever been curious or wanted to gain more information about any of the above areas, come on down to the Community Center this coming Monday, at 7:30 p.m.!

Baylands Community Visioning Workshop 5/12

A reminder that at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 12th, a Baylands Community Visioning Workshop is scheduled to take place at the Community Center (below the Brisbane Library). This is the time for you to speak your mind regarding one of the largest undeveloped tracts of urban land on the San Francisco Peninsula. Plan on being there.

Life in the Bike Lane

Life in the Bike Lane

After a lengthy application process with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the City is proud to announce that it has received a $550,000 state grant for a capital improvement project. This project will bring a bikeway to the City, to be located on the shoulder of Bayshore, from Guadalupe Canyon Pkwy to the southern City limit (just north of the US-101 on-ramp). This project was first approved by the City Council on December 5, 2005, having successfully met the following Council goals:

• “To design infrastructure and public facilities to be efficient, cost effective and to contribute to the cohesion and character of the community.” (#2)
• “To maintain and improve infrastructure.” (#3)
• “To promote transportation opportunities that maximize safety, reliability, enhance circulation and create options thereby reducing reliance on the use of the automobile.” (#5)

The project was then reviewed by the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG), wherein it demonstrated a proper conceptualization and fulfillment of the criteria identified in the application. The end result was a high numerical score, followed by the decision of the C/CAG Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee electing to grant the City of Brisbane $550,000, and the ability to begin construction of a bikeway that will hopefully allow for wheels and feet to become more viable forms of alternative transportation.

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Speaking of ways to not only be more health-conscious, but also to develop a more healthy environment, come lend a hand tomorrow as the Open Space and Ecology Committee (OSEC) and Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission (PB&R) co-sponsor an Earth Day event at Quarry Road Park, from 8am – 12 noon. Don’t let it pass you by!

April is National Earthquake Preparedness Month

Worldwide, each year there are about 18 earthquakes of magnitude 6.7 or greater.

If a major earthquake struck in your area today, you might be without direct assistance for up to 72 hours. Therefore, the City has dedicated this month's "Current/Newsworthy Issue" of its Office of Emergency Services (OES) page to providing you with relevant information on several things you can do to prepare your home and family for the next earthquake. Check out the "Useful Links" section for a list of websites that have been carefully selected for you to peruse. But the most important thing is that you take action...now. Let's all make a coordinated effort to protect ourselves and our loved ones so that we can be ready for when the next big one hits.

Upcoming Community-wide Events Not to be Missed!

A friendly reminder that this coming Monday 4/9 will be the Joint City Council and Planning Commission Kick-Off Meeting for the Baylands Project Alternatives at the Community Center, 7:30 pm. Take some time to peruse the Agenda for Monday's meeting and come prepared to learn all about land use, building heights and density, transportation, open space, and sustainability as they relate to the Bayland Alternatives Project. In addition, you'll hear the perspectives of your Councilmembers and Commissioners regarding their vision for the Baylands.

Also, OSEC and PB&R are co-sponsoring an Earth Day event at Quarry Road Park on April 21, 8am - 12 noon. Plan to be there, as many hands make light work!