Millbrae News

Public health a concern, city continues study on unregulated materials Nicholas Mazzoni Daily Journal Staff October 22, 2022 Artificial turf will be illegal to install in Millbrae for another year as the City Council awaits the results of a study regarding public health, specifically toxicity and water runoff. While the landscape material is often viewed as a low-water and low-maintenance alternative to real grass, the council approved a moratorium in October 2021 out of concern  its use was causing more harm than good. The council reapproved the moratorium in December 2021. The study was launched in September 2021. The ban comes amid a statewide drought leading many residents to seek alternate yard treatments that require less water. But according to numerous studies and an ongoing study by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment identified that artificial turf and synthetic grass contain a wide range of chemicals, depending on their source materials. Those...

City looks at updates for General Plan including bike lanes, taller buildings Nicholas Mazzoni Daily Journal staff   Oct 17, 2022     0 A rendering of a new vision for South El Camino Real in Millbrae discussed by the city’s Planning Commission Oct. 6. Using Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris as a model, Millbrae city planners envision a pedestrian-friendly downtown that provides safer roads for cyclists and connectivity to the neighborhoods. But it will mean El Camino Real through Millbrae will scale down its six lanes to four. The plans call for a “reimagining” of the street, including wider sidewalks, improved crosswalks, more trees and better lighting are some of the aspects that will have both commercial and residential developments. The concepts are part of the city’s General Plan, which sets the stage for future development and other changes in the city through 2040. The General Plan was discussed by the city’s Planning Commission Oct. 6. Part of the changes also mea...

  Daily Journal staff report   Aug 18, 2022 After nearly two years as Millbrae’s Community Development Director, Darcy Smith has rejoined San Bruno as the assistant city manager, San Bruno City Manager Jovan Grogan confirmed. Smith previously served as the Community and Economic Development director for San Bruno from 2018 to 2020. Prior to that she worked in the planning department for the city of San Mateo for 15 years. “We are excited to have her back on team San Bruno,” Grogan said in a text. Smith’s first day on the job will be Aug. 22, according to the city. She will oversee the city’s economic development program, including the Bayhill YouTube campus expansion and Tanforan redevelopment, a release states. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Earth Systems from Stanford University in 1998 and a master’s in Urban Planning from San Jose State University in 2003. Since 2004, she has been a certified member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Tami Yuki was previo...

  General plan workshop aims for community insight on future development Nicholas Mazzoni Daily Journal staff   Sep 3, 2022 A series of public meetings are being held to get community input on Millbrae 2040’s plan to redevelop downtown and restructure El Camino Real, which capitalizes on the city’s multimodal transit station. The transit-oriented plan highlights mixed-use development for restaurants, housing, commercial, entertainment uses, hotels and offices. Over the next 20 years, the city intends on redesigning downtown to create a series of unique livable districts that promote active public life and community. The project aligns with Plan Bay Area’s vision, “To ensure by the year 2050 that the Bay Area is affordable, connected, diverse, healthy and vibrant for all.” The goal is to enhance the quality of life and community for the residents of Millbrae and visitors. The latest workshop was Aug. 25. “These plans were developed to accommodate and facilitate future growth. T...

  October 13, 2022 Editor, I strongly encourage Millbrae City Council District 2 voters to cast their vote for Angelina Cahalan. This fall’s election is a clear choice between political experience and a fresh perspective; but which trait is more important in choosing who to vote for? In my mind, a newcomer with novel ideas is preferable to a recycled politician; therefore, Angelina Cahalan is the superior candidate. First of all, she is uniquely in touch with the needs and concerns of her fellow residents east of El Camino Real, a neighborhood that has never had representation on the Millbrae City Council. Furthermore, as a longtime community leader and an empathetic listener, she has generated new and progressive ideas that will benefit the entire community. She also has a collaborative personal style that will enable her to work cooperatively with her fellow councilmembers to achieve positive change — a distinctive departure from the combative and fractured nature of recent Millb...

Commission seeking more community input for new 420-unit apartment building Nicholas Mazzoni Daily Journal staff   Oct 4, 2022 Rendering of the 420-unit apartment building at 1855 Rollins Road in Burlingame A five-story, 420-unit apartment building at 1855 to 1881 Rollins Road in Burlingame is in its design review as the developers work with the Planning Commission to encapsulate a more community feel for the area as it transforms into a new neighborhood just south of the Millbrae border. The developers presented an updated project review that included an updated building design, an additional parcel spur purchased from Pacific Union Railroad that allows for better fire road access, landscaping design and details including the community benefits. The units will be arranged around three courtyards, and a public plaza is shown at the corner of the lot bordered by Rollins Road and a drainage canal. Plans also indicate a 9,300-square-foot lobby and amenities building on the 4.7-acre pa...