This Week's Updates:
- Residential Zoning Updates
- Senior Art Show Recap
- NEW: Age-Friendly Corner
- My Summer Adventure 2024 is Here!
- Restriping on Various City Streets Happening Next Monday & Tuesday (if needed)
- Get Ready for the Kickoff of Parks and Rec Month!
- Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act and CARE Court Launches 7/1
- Trash Talk: Recycling Paper
- Summer Pool Schedule Now in Effect
- Concerts in the Park News
- Latest NCFA Emergency Preparedness Newsletter
- Public Art Community Survey closes 7/19
- Come out for Police Day, 6/29
- Citywide Yard Sale, 7/27
- Brisbane Garden Show, 8/3
- Brisbane Farmers' Market News
- Upcoming Public Meetings
- Archived Public Meetings
- Did You Know?
- Quote of the Week
Residential Zoning Updates
There’s hardly a day that goes by that one doesn’t hear about the housing shortage in California and housing production being a priority in the state of California. As one of the most expensive areas in the country to live, securing housing in the San Francisco Bay Area is especially challenging for lower- or even middle-income households. The City’s Housing Element, adopted in 2023, responds to the State’s housing priorities, by addressing housing production and affordability at a local level. Additionally, in recent years, the State legislature has passed a number of housing bills in an effort to provide more housing. At their July 18th meeting, the City Council will continue considering two zoning ordinance amendments to implement the adopted Housing Element and reflect State law.
SB 9: One State bill which took effect in 2022 is SB 9. SB 9 allows homeowners in single-family zoning districts to add an additional unit on their lot (two-unit development) or subdivide their lot into 2 lots (urban lot split), subject to certain restrictions. State law prohibits the use of SB 9 for development on lots that contain endangered species habitat or wetlands. There are also anti-displacement provisions for renters and provisions requiring owners to occupy their units for a minimum of 3 years after development under these provisions. There are also minimum lot size requirements for urban lot splits.
SB 9 is currently in effect statewide, including Brisbane. As it specifically applies to Brisbane, SB 9 allows for two-unit developments and urban lot splits in the R-1 Residential District and R-BA Brisbane Acres Residential District. How much additional development in Brisbane that would result from SB 9 is unclear. Under the existing R-1 and R-BA zoning regulations (without SB 9) a lot may theoretically be developed with up to three units – a single-family dwelling, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and a junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU). SB 9 allows for a maximum of four (4) units on that same lot area. This may be accomplished in a variety of different ways, but in any case, the total number of units may not exceed four across the original lot area, where a maximum of three units are currently allowed. An example of what’s allowed pursuant to SB 9 are provided in the diagram below.
As noted on above, SB 9 cannot be used on lots where endangered species occur, so there may be lots in the R-BA zoning district where SB 9 development will not be allowed. The City’s ordinance to implement SB 9 also imposes parking standards and height restrictions in certain situations, requirements the City will not be able to impose without adopting an ordinance.
SB 478: SB 478 requires minimum floor area ratios (FARs) for multi-family developments of 3 units or more. FAR is the ratio between the building fl oor area and the lot area. For example, a FAR of 1.0 would allow a 10,000-square-foot building on a 10,000-square-foot lot, while a FAR of 0.5 would allow a 5,000-square-foot building on a 10,000-square-foot lot. The zoning districts subject to SB 478 are the R-2 and R-3 Residential districts in Central Brisbane. SB 478 effectively increases the FAR for 3 or more units in the R-2 and R-3 districts to 1.25 from the current 0.72 FAR. The proposed zoning amendment modifies the FARs in the R-2 and R-3 to be consistent with State law.
Housing Element Programs: Under its Housing Element, the City has committed to a number of programs for housing production. One program is to raise the height limits for the multi-family zoning districts to 36 feet; the current height limits range from 28 to 35 feet, depending on the location of the lot and its slope. The draft ordinance to implement this program applies to the R-2, R-3, NCRO-2, and SCRO-1 districts. Additionally, the Planning Commission, in considering the draft ordinance, recommended the City Council extend the 36-foot height limit in the R-1 and R-BA districts to provide for consistency across these bordering districts.
More information/How to get involved: On June 6th, the City Council opened public hearings on the two ordinances that include the above provisions, along with other related provisions, and continued these items to the meeting of July 18th to allow more time to provide public information and for further public comment. To that end, the City is preparing a webpage with FAQs and additional images for the two draft ordinances, which should go live later this week. We'll send out a notice when that page is ready for primetime.
To join the July 18th City Council Meeting, which begins at 7:30 PM, you can join in-person at City Hall (50 Park Place, Brisbane), or remotely via Zoom at brisbaneca.org/cc-zoom (you may want to bookmark this page).
If you have any questions or comments about the above residential zoning updates, please direct them to Senior Planner Ken Johnson at kjohnson@brisbaneca.org; if you’re not able to join the live meeting but would like to provide your comments to the City Council, you’re more than welcome to send them an email at citycouncil@brisbaneca.org.
Senior Art Show Recap
Yesterday was a fun-filled evening at the Brisbane Library, as it was the Opening Reception for the Senior Art Class, led by Brisbane resident Shirley Lim. Shirley teaches watercolor in other cities as well, so it is a real treat she is able to share her talents with so many of our youth and older adults. Congrats to those who sold pieces and everyone who participated in the evening’s raffle (which featured art trivia, of course)!
NEW: Age-Friendly Corner
Following the City becoming certified as an Age-Friendly City through the AARP network affiliate of the World Health Organization Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and 150 responses to the City's Age-Friendly Survey which was available from September 2023-January 2024 for community members to provide additional feedback about how Brisbane can continue to be a great place to live for our older adults, work has commenced on drafting the City's Age-Friendly Action Plan. Today, public safety personnel, along with the Library Manager, Cary Mossing, met with Ann O'Brien and Cynthia Nakayama from the Center for Age-Friendly Excellence (CAFE). The Task Force group also convened this afternoon for their monthly check-in. See more details on the new, Age-Friendly landing page on the City's website here (accessible via a direct link from the Community mega menu).
Stay tuned for more updates and resources as we aim to create a healthy, active, sustainable, and engaged intergenerational community!
My Summer Adventure 2024 is Here!
San Mateo County Libraries encourages you to create and capture your adventures with the My Summer Adventure Field Guide! You decide what new experiences you want to have and set your own goals. Open to all ages and abilities. Yes, this isn't just for kids - adults can join in on the fun; anyone 18+ is also eligible to enter the raffle for a free Annual County Parks pass! So, pick up a free book and a Field Guide from the library to kick off your adventures! Visit smclsummer.org for more info.
Restriping on Various City Streets Happening Next Monday and Tuesday (if needed)
Earlier today, the City's restriping contractor was out to restripe Main St., and they also were able to restripe San Francisco St. (ahead of tomorrow's June 27th farmers' market). The contractor will return on Monday, July 1st to restripe the remainder of the streets that were slurry sealed (expect No Parking signs to go up by this Friday for that work, including signage depicting AB413 changes).
Get Ready for the Kickoff of Parks and Rec Month!
Next week kicks off National Parks & Recreation month! This year's theme — “Where You Belong” — celebrates the many ways park and recreation professionals across the country foster a sense of belonging in their community by providing welcoming and inclusive programs, essential services for all ages and abilities, and safe, accessible spaces to build meaningful connections. July is a busy month for Parks & Recreation, so we invite you to take a glance at all that is happening and join us in making meaningful connections within our community!
Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act and CARE Court Launches 7/1
The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act is a new law that provides community-based behavioral health services and supports to those living with untreated schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders through a new civil court process. It is designed to disrupt the revolving-door of homelessness, short-term hospitalization, and incarceration for those with untreated serious mental illness. More information about CARE Court in San Mateo County can be found here. Additional support such as a Family Resource Guide, how to fill out a petition, and training materials can be accessed via the CARE Act Resource Center at care-act.org.
Trash Talk: Recycling Paper
True or False? All paper items belong in the blue recycling cart. The answer is “false,” but however you answered, please read on.
The fibers in paper are woven together like threads in a piece of fabric. As the fibers become shorter and weaker, they are harder to make into new products. Eventually, they might be compostable but are no longer recyclable.
Paper that is lined with plastic or wax, contaminated with food waste, wet/moldy, or covered in paint or glitter is not recyclable. Wet and food-soiled paper items that are not coated with plastic or wax belong in your green organics cart. The rest should be placed in your grey garbage cart. When recycling clean, dry, recyclable paper, please remember not to use a plastic liner bag. Plastic bags are not recyclable and can damage sorting equipment. If you need to recycle shredded paper, please contain in a paper bag.
Remember that recyclable paper is collected separately from recyclable containers (bottles/cans). It is important not to mix. Separate collection prevents things like food residual (from not-quite-empty containers) and broken glass (from the jam jar that broke during collection) from contaminating paper. All blue recycling carts should be clearly labeled so it’s easy to tell what belongs under the lid(s). If you are missing a label or your label is in poor condition, please email info@ssfscavenger.com or call 650-589-4020 to let them know. They’ll replace the label for no charge. Thank you for doing your best to sort smart. Your efforts matter and are appreciated!
Summer Pool Schedule Now in Effect
And a quick reminder about this Friday's special event during Rec Swim, Just Ducky! Come and check it out!
Summer Concerts in the Park News
This year's Summer Concerts are slated to start on Friday, July 12th with Pride & Joy and going every week until Sunday, August 11th with Mercy & the Heartbeats.
Last summer Parks and Rec piloted a cabana option at the Concert in the Park series...and they were a hit! So now we are offering 6 cabana areas per concert, and are starting by offering a package deal to rent the same cabana for the 4-concert series (7/12, 7/26, 8/4 and 8/11). The cabana package will be available for pre-reservation only. So if you missed out renting a cabana last year, don't wait too long!
Latest NCFA Emergency Preparedness Newsletter
Public Art Community Survey Closes 7/19
As outlined in the City’s Art in Public Places Ordinance, public art has the power to energize our public spaces, arouse our thinking, and transform the places where we live, work, and play into more welcoming and beautiful environments that invite interaction. By its presence alone, public art can heighten our awareness, question our assumptions, transform a landscape, or express community values. Public art helps define a community's identity and reveal its unique character.
To this end, the City of Brisbane administered a widespread Request for Proposals (RFP) process and accompanying interviews to select NINE dot ARTS, a national art consulting and creative placemaking firm, to develop the city’s first-ever Public Art Master Plan.
What do YOU envision for public art in Brisbane? Share your ideas by participating in a short community survey by July 19th! Answers will be collected and compiled into recommendations related to the types and locations of public art in Brisbane.
Come out for Police Day, 6/29
Join over a dozen local law enforcement agencies at Tanforan Mall this Saturday, June 29th for Police Day 2024. Brisbane PD will be there with their vehicle and officers ready to engage with visitors!
Save the Date: City Wide Yard Sale is July 27th
The Friends of the Brisbane Library invite you to participate in this year's City-Wide Yard Sale, taking place on Saturday, July 27th from 9 AM - 3 PM! The Brisbane Lions Club will again be offering delicious barbecue at the Community Park. Support Library programming throughout the year and register your household today at fobl.info/yard-sale!
Save the Date: Brisbane Garden Show, August 3rd
Brisbane Farmers' Market: Thursdays in the Park, 3-7 PM
CalFresh benefits will be redeemable at every Farmers' Market. We thank Steve Schmidt, the market manager, and his daughter Ashley, who you may see physically each week at the market, for making this happen. Visit the EBT booth for more info.
- Mountain Fresh
- Villanueva Fruits
- James Healey Confections
- Mango Blossom Apiary
- California Bakeshop
- Hummus Heaven
- Medina Berry Farms
- Amelia's Mexipino Cuisine
- Pasta Rey Artisanal Foods
- Roadside Rotisserie
Upcoming Public Meetings
Archived Meeting Videos
City Council Meeting - Thursday, June 20, 7:30 PM
Did You Know?
If your child is interested in playing AYSO soccer this fall, please register by June 30th (July 31st for 6U kids). Many divisions are already full while some have just a few spots left.
AYSO soccer is a fun, exciting program whose main goal is to get kids on the field, provide them with good coaches, and teach them to play the game. No previous soccer experience is needed—the focus is on developing players and cultivating good sportsmanship at all ages.
Brisbane AYSO soccer welcomes participants from Brisbane and surrounding areas, and offers generous scholarships for families in need. Cost for the season is $110 and includes a player uniform. Email brisbaneayso@gmail.com for more information. Registration information and more details available here.
Quote of the Week
This concludes my first City Manager's Weekly Update; the next Blast will go out on Wednesday, July 3rd. If this email was forwarded to you or you saw it on social media and would like to subscribe, sign up here. As always, please keep connected with us via our website & social media pages. Hope to be able to meet you in person at City Hall very soon!