6,989 / 63.1% Yes votes ...... 4,086 / 36.9% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

Amendments to the General Plan voted by the City Council would go into effect.

A NO vote of this measure means:

Amendments to the General Plan would not go into effect and could not be enacted for one year from the election date.

The affected sections include a paragraph describing the history of El Camino Real (State Highway 82), General Plan Guiding Policy 3.4-G-3 and General Plan Implementing Policies 3.4-1-3 through 3.4-1-11. These policies authorize land uses including a pedestrian-oriented center, regional commercial including big-box retail, mixed use development and a pedestrian connection between El Camino Real and Mission Road. Specifically, Guiding Policy 3.4-G-3 directs the City to develop the South San Francisco BART station area identified above as a "vital pedestrian-oriented center, with intensity and mix of uses that complement the area's new role as a regional center."

Implementing Policy 3.4-1-3 requires that the approximately eight-acre area adjacent to and northerly of the proposed BART station between El Camino Real and Mission Boulevard be developed as a pedestrian-oriented center fronted by active uses. Implementing Policy 3.4-1-5 establishes transit-supported development requirements for the pedestrian-oriented center including (1) design standards to address pedestrian scale development and safety requirements, (2) inclusion of childcare facilities and (3) prohibition of drive through establishments in the pedestrian center area. Implementing Policy 3,4-1-7 requires that the City work with BART and other agencies to ensure that the proposed plan for station area improvements include (1) direct pedestrian connections to El Camino High School and to the terminus of Evergreen Boulevard at Mission Road, (2) continuation of a proposed two-mile long bikeway along the surface area of the BART alignment; and (3) concession services along the northern frontage of the BART parking structure. Implementing Policy 3.4-1-9 further specifies that the approximately 2.5 acre parcel immediately adjacent to the proposed BART station include a mix of uses with retail on the ground floor and residential units on the upper floors.

Implementing Policy 3.4-1-4 permits the area north of the pedestrian center to be developed for regional commercial including big-box retail. Implementing Policy 3.4-1-6 requires the preparation of a plan for public improvements for the area within ½ mile of the proposed BART station to integrate the station with the surrounding area. Implementing Policy 3.4-1-8 establishes development density requirements for the BART station area affected by the referendum.

This referendum does not affect construction of the South San Francisco BART station. If the voters do not approve this measure, the City would be prohibited from enacting these sections for one year from the election date.

/s/ Steven Mattas

City Attorney

Measure B Debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters of North San Mateo County, taped on Tues., Feb. 22. Rebroadcast on SSF Cable Ch. 26:

Wed., March 1, 8:00 p.m. Mon., March 6, 7:30 p.m.

Peninsula This Week" discussion on Measure B, the "Costco Initiative" showing at: Mon. Feb. 28, 7pm -- Tues. Feb. 29, 7pm -- Wed. March 1, 6pm -- Fri. March 3, 6pm -- Mon. March 6, 6:30pm (AT&T Ch. 26 only). Fri. March 3, 7:30 PM -- Sun. March 5, 9:30 AM (Throughout the Peninsula)

Second, the policies would enhance the safety of our children and residents by creating safe pedestrian connections between Mission Boulevard and El Camino Real near the BART station. The general plan policies also provide for a bike path along the BART right-of-way.

Third, the policies would allow for development that would generate over $670,000 in new sales tax revenue every year - revenue that can be used to enhance recreation, police, fire and library services for all residents. This development, which would include relocating the existing San Bruno Costco to the former Macy's warehouse site along El Camino Real, will only occur if this measure is approved.

The proposed general plan sections were carefully reviewed at numerous public hearing. As a result of these hearings, the City Council provided additional traffic controls to El Camino Real in the area near the proposed BART station. The proposed general plan sections will allow these traffic enhancements to occur, will increase sales tax revenues to the City, and will create a pedestrian environment including new housing and retail uses that will benefit all citizens of South San Francisco.

The City Council urges you to vote YES on Measure B.

/s/ Karyl Matsumoto December 17, 1999 Mayor, City of South San Francisco

/s/ Eugene Mullin December 17, 1999 Councilman, City of South San Francisco

/s/ James Datzman December 17, 1999 Councilman, City of South San Francisco

/s/ John Penna December 17, 1999 Councilman, City of South San Francisco

Read their argument. Politicians are the only ones who signed it - they didn't get a single citizen to join them. Here's more of what they don't want you to know:

Traffic Gridlock and Pollution

The new COSTCO Big Box will create traffic gridlock at one of the busiest intersections in South San Francisco: more that 11,000 cars per day will enter the COSTCO parking lot, right next to the children at Alta Loma Junior High and El Camino High, as well as Kaiser Hospital, the new BART station, and local neighborhoods.

Money for City Bureaucrats

They promise that Measure B will produce revenues - but there's NO guarantee the money will be used for anything other than increasing the salaries of city bureaucrats.

Job Killer

Measure B will kill small business downtown, eliminating good paying jobs that support hundreds of local families.

Measure B would build a huge new Big Box store in the wrong location. It creates traffic gridlock, air pollution, job loss, and rewards politicians who almost gave millions of our tax dollars to a huge corporation.

We're not politicians, we're your neighbors and local business owners who know this measure will be bad for South San Francisco

That's why we're urging you to vote No on Measure B.

/s/ Albert N. Waters December 29, 1999 Homeowner

/s/ Helen M. Headlee December 29, 1999 Retired Registered Nurse

/s/ Sophie Pappas Mason December 29, 1999 Vice_Chair, South San Franciscans for Responsible Growth

/s/ George S. Garibaldi December 29, 1999 Owner Sunshine Pharmacy

/s/ David S. Cortes December 29, 1999 School Teacher

Traffic Gridlock

Measure B will bring over 11,000 cars every day to the busy El Camino/Hickey Boulevard intersection. Traffic will be unbearable, backing up on El Camino from Colma to San Bruno and up Hickey to 280.

Sales Tax Rip-off

Measure B will not bring the city as much sales tax revenue as claimed by the City Council. Much of the sales tax revenue will actually be stolen away from local small retailers that will be driven out of business-taking jobs away from our community. And it's likely COSTCO will close their existing east side store, cutting sales taxes even further.

Bad Location

This location in the Historic Gateway to our city, right next to the new BART Station. Adding all these cars will dramatically increase air pollution next to two schools.

Just Like Wal-Mart

Measure B is like the recent Wal-Mart proposal. The City Council rejected that proposal, saying it hurt small business, caused excessive traffic, and is in a bad location. Measure B is no different.

Sweetheart Deal

Measure B is a sweetheart, backroom deal between Big Box Retailers, developers and the City Council. South San Franciscans for Responsible Growth, and thousands of your neighbors and local businesses, urge you to vote No on Measure B.

/s/ Sophie Pappas Mason December 18, 1999 Vice_Chair, South San Franciscans for Responsible Growth

/s/ Helen M. Headlee December 18, 1999 Retired Registered Nurse

/s/ George S. Garibaldi December 20, 1999 Owner Sunshine Pharmacy

/s/ Albert N. Waters December 18, 1999 Homeowner

/s/ David S. Cortes December 20, 1999 School Teacher

TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS

The traffic impacts claimed by the opponents are grossly inflated. Their numbers include some current traffic on El Camino and ignore the fact that morning traffic will have zero impact, as the store does not open until 10:00 AM. They also fail to mention that the project includes improving five intersections along El Camino and Hickey that currently operate at unacceptable. Levels.

A "NO" vote would open this entire area to previously planned, high-density apartment complexes, with dramatically greater traffic and air quality impact in this region. However, a "YES' vote would allow for a desirable transit village immediately around BART and a high-revenue generator with minimum traffic impacts. This would enhance the entire area.

MORE REVENUE FOR CITY SERVICES

The opponents' claim that the $670,000 annual increases to the city budget will be reduced by losses elsewhere is without merit. Costco will have no effect on local small retailers. The Costco on South Airport is locked into a revenue guarantee to the City for a minimum of five years. Make no mistake, this is the opposite of a sweetheart deal - all revenues go to the City.

Measure B benefits all citizens. Vote Yes on Measure B.

/s/ Karyl Matsumoto December 30, 1999 Mayor, City of South San Francisco

/s/ Eugene Mullin December 30, 1999 Councilman, City of South San Francisco

/s/ James Datzman December 30, 1999 Councilman, City of South San Francisco