CBB Comments on the Caltrain\'s proposal

The Citizens for a Better Burlingame appreciate that the proposed plan will certainly be an improvement over the current state of the station area. However we are concerned that this plan is not in Burlingame’s best interest.  Specifically we believe it fails for four major reasons.

• Serious Negative Impact on East/West Pedestrian Flow
• Increased Concentration of Vehicle Traffic at unsafe intersection.
• Addition of unnecessary parking
• Negative Impact on Future Options

Firstly the CBB believes that closing both South Lane and the pedestrian passage will further divide our town.  Burlingame is one of the very few towns that has significant residential and civic amenities on both sides of the tracks. Our high school, our recreation center, and the jewel of our park system, Washington Park, all lie to the east of the train station.  Our two principal shopping areas as well as city hall, the library, all are on the west side. Burlingame’s highly desired residences lie on both sides of the track.  Walking to and from the train station is the norm in Burlingame, not the exception. Closing two of the three pedestrian crossings will have a negative impact on the substantial east / west pedestrian traffic.  We do not believe that Caltrain has taken this into consideration.

Secondly the CBB believes that closing both South Lane and the pedestrian passage will divert more traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular, to an already unsafe roadway and intersection. North lane today is a dangerous intersection especially for those going west, turning left across California Drive.  Closing South lane will funnel more traffic into North Lane.  Added to the vehicular traffic will be the additional pedestrian traffic from the closure of the two pedestrian tracks. All this will lead to a decrease in safety. Maybe Caltrain is offering a safer railroad, but we believe at the expense of safety on Burlingame streets.

Thirdly the CBB believes that Caltrain does not need additional parking on East Lane.  We have many photographs taken from our own survey that indicate occupancy rates on weekdays for the exisiting Caltrain parking to be less than 50%. Adding to our City’s parking stock might seem like a good idea; however it comes at a price.  That price is the loss of this land for other more socially meaningful purposes.

Fourthly the CBB believes that the closing of South Lane and the construction of parking on the East lane will compromise any future plans to resurrect the Burlingame Square as a civic amenity. Burlingame Square with the historical station was and can be the literal and symbolic center of our town.  Martin Dreiling of CSS Architects has developed a concept to show how this space could be revitalized and utilized as a public plaza.  Caltrain’s plans would destroy any possibility of this square being resurrected.

Plaza Concept by Martin Dreiling, CSS Architects

There is an alternative that the CBB believes is acceptable, namely to move the east side platform to the north of North Lane and extend the existing platform that is already there on the west side. We do not understand why this was dismissed as a viable alternative.  This alternative would mean that both South Lane and the pedestrian passage could remain open; the existing parking will more than suffice for Caltrain’s current needs and future projections, and the historic Burlingame Square is not compromised.

Alternative platform arrangement

We understand and respect Caltrain’s motivations.  They want to run a railroad.  But we as citizens need to think about the impact on our town; that is not Caltrain’s job.  Their plan might make for a better and safer railroad, but it appears at the cost to the physical and social fabric of our town.