Council Considers Higher Parking Rates

Burlingame’s downtown streetscape needs updating, and that comes with a hefty price tag. To offset the costs, residents may soon face parking fee increases.

For the past ten months, Burlingame officials have been working with property owners, downtown merchants and the community on developing a Burlingame Avenue streetscape design that allows for a better pedestrian experience. The plan calls for wider sidewalks, improved landscaping, new lighting, signage and smart meters—but all of these things come at a price.

The Burlingame Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project is expected to cost about $16 million. While the City has $7 million to put towards the project through various funds, a shortfall of $9 million remains. To make up the difference, City officials have proposed a property owner’s assessment district and an increase in parking meter rates, each paying 50 percent.

Parking meter rate revenue necessary under this plan is an estimated $400,000 each year.

At their meeting Tuesday night, City Council members will review a parking study conducted determining the parking needs and occupancy in the downtown district.

In January, the Traffic Safety and Parking Commission (TSPC) discussed the study and determined six options for increasing revenue. Each included varied time limits and meter rate increases.

Through discussion with DBID members and hearing public comment, the TSPC recommended that Option C be adopted. At Tuesday’s meeting, City Council members are asked to approve of this recommendation.

If approved, Option C is expected to raise about $790,000 per year in parking meter revenue. According to a staff report prepared by Public Works Director Syed Murtuza, this amount would fund smart meter installation, parking lot improvement, signage and 50 percent of the streetscape project shortfall.

Option C increases meter rates in downtown Burlingame by 25 cents per hour for parking on Burlingame Avenue and in one-to-four-hour meters in core downtown areas, 5 cents per hour for nine-hour and 10-hour meters and up to two dollars for all day lots. It calls for increasing meter times from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and turning City Lot K from 10-hour parking to two-and-four-hour parking. Burlingame Avenue parking would change from one-hour to two-hour.

Option C also includes adding directional signs and placing smart meters downtown.

The next step towards funding the streetscape project is the formation of an assessment district.

The City Council meets at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at 501 Primrose Rd.

For more Burlingame news, "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Got Patch? Sign up to receive our newsletter.