Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Burlingame public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
4 issues in environment with high priority
Environmental Justice Element / Equity Focus Areas
The city is updating its General Plan's Healthy People and Healthy Places element to comply with state environmental justice law, mapping three "equity focus areas" in Burlingame where residents face higher pollution, contamination, flood and displacement risks. Future city investments like sidewalks, tree canopy and bike connections will be prioritized in those neighborhoods.
Glyphosate use in Burlingame parks and open space
The council dug into how the parks division uses glyphosate — already banned from play areas since 2019 but still used on traffic islands, parking lots, and invasive plants in Mills Canyon. Alternatives cost far more and work worse, and going pesticide-free like Menlo Park could cost up to $1 million a year. A majority wants staff to come back with options for tighter limits, cost estimates, and a look at what other cities have done.
Shoreline flood protection and waterfront open space
Council agreed to budget ~$175,000 so OneShoreline can finish the Burlingame-Millbrae-SFO shoreline flood EIR, protecting $4 million of work already done; Millbrae will be asked to pay its ~15% share.
Solar and battery storage at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
The hospital will install solar carports with battery storage over its parking lots, offsetting about 20% of annual electricity use and saving roughly $9 million in utility costs over the system's life. Commissioners required 33 replacement trees after 121 trees are removed. The battery will be a Tesla Megapack 2 XL subject to UL/NFPA fire testing.