Reach Codes

Former Mayor Terry Nagel strongly supported the reach codes, noting future-proofing saves money later and urging Burlingame to lead other cities.

Menlo Spark's Brian Schmidt supported the staff recommendation and urged the council to add weight to push the Building Standards Commission to approve reach codes statewide.

Sierra Club Loma Prieta's conservation coordinator supported the codes, citing climate and indoor air quality benefits of heat pumps.

A Menlo Park resident supported the codes, emphasizing that renovations are the most affordable time to electrify and urging unanimous support.

A 350 Silicon Valley member urged a strong reach code, noting most gas appliances will fail within 20 years and sharing that he and his wife eliminated gas on a fixed income.

An Acterra representative and San Mateo renter supported the codes and suggested raising the FlexPath target score to 20.

A chamber speaker urged adoption, saying it saves money and that other cities will follow Burlingame's lead.

Supported the reach codes and urged the council to strengthen the flexPath trigger and require more points than other cities did.

Called for the most aggressive reach code possible, saying local action is all we can do given federal rollbacks.

Citizens Climate Lobby volunteer backed heat pumps on appliance failure, 18 flexPath points, electric readiness, and permit fee waivers — citing health and efficiency data.

Framed reach codes as consumer protection — gas appliance deadlines are coming in 2027-2029 regardless, so switching at replacement time is cheapest.

Menlo Spark's Brian Schmidt said Menlo Park's codes have been leapfrogged and Burlingame could leapfrog San Mateo and East Palo Alto.

Burlingame resident detailed heat pump water heater economics — cheaper with rebates, saves $230/year — and asked the council to stretch the flexPath points.

Rising college sophomore urged the council to go as far as possible on reach codes and expand permit fee waivers.

Sierra Club Loma Prieta coordinator supported all proposed reach codes, emphasizing that gas appliances' nitrogen oxide pollution has no safe exposure level.

Menlo Park resident urged drafting ordinances for all four measures and going as strong as possible on flexPath.

Technical expert flagged implementation details — heat pump placement differs from gas heaters — and asked Burlingame to follow San Jose in removing the parking lift EV charging exemption.

Supported the codes, backed Terry Nagel's comments, and asked that developers be allowed the latest national electric code and that parking lifts and low-income housing not be exempted.

Supported adopting all the proposed reach codes and advocated for stronger FlexPath requirements.

Asked the Council to enact the most aggressive reach codes possible.

Supported strong electrification measures and more ambitious FlexPath thresholds.

Voiced support for the proposed reach codes.

From Menlo Spark; encouraged the City to at least match, if not exceed, the FlexPath standards of San Mateo and East Palo Alto.

Voiced strong support for the proposed reach codes.

Supported aggressive reach codes and expanded permit fee waivers.

Voiced support for all the reach code options.

Encouraged adoption of all four measures and a strong FlexPath menu.

Voiced support for strong reach codes.

Voiced support and discussed electrification and EV-readiness.