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Council backs concept plan for Japanese garden along Spur Trail, trims scope to cut costs
Summary
The council approved moving forward with a scaled ‘Woven Strands’ concept for a Japanese garden along the Spur Trail near Millbrae Avenue and Magnolia Avenue. The design was reduced from a $3.5 million water-feature plan to a roughly $1.5 million plan that removes the water element and preserves amphitheater seating and a wisteria arbor.
The Millbrae City Council on July 22 directed staff to proceed with a refined concept plan for a Japanese Garden along the Spur Trail near Mills High School, approving the next design and cost-estimation steps by a 5–0 vote.
Community Development Director Andy Mogensen and Daniel Cunningham, principal landscape architect with SWA Group, briefed the council on a multi-year design process led by the Sister Cities Commission. The commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended a “Woven Strands” design that retains an amphitheater-style seating area, a signature arbor (wisteria canopy), bench seating, cherry trees and central lawn space, while removing the previously proposed water feature to lower construction and maintenance costs.
Mogensen said the original concept with a water feature and supporting infrastructure had a construction estimate of about $3.5 million. Removing the water feature and trimming the project footprint cut both the one-time construction estimate and ongoing maintenance costs; staff presented an updated construction estimate near $1.5 million. Mogensen also noted $50,000 had been budgeted in an earlier Parks Fund capital appropriation for concept and design work.
Councilmembers asked about maintenance expectations, tree preservation and design details. Daniel Cunningham said the design team would work with staff to ensure the planting palette and features are maintainable by city crews. Mogensen said existing healthy trees on the site would be preserved where feasible and that the design uses drought-tolerant grasses to reduce irrigation costs. Councilmembers asked that staff consider allergen concerns for particular trees and include interpretive signage and trash/pet-waste receptacles in the final plan.
Funding source and phasing: Mogensen said the project would be funded from development impact fees, which by law may be spent on capital improvements to accommodate new development but not on ongoing maintenance. The project as described is a reduced Phase 1; the Sister Cities Commission identified an adjacent area as a possible future Phase 2 but said that section would be left for later planning.
Action taken: The council voted 5–0 to move forward with the refined Concept 1 (Woven Strands), directing staff to finalize designs and cost estimates and return with bid documents and a construction recommendation. Mogensen said staff will return with a refined cost estimate and construction-ready documents for council approval before bidding.
Why it matters: The project is intended to mark a gateway into Millbrae, strengthen the city’s Sister Cities relationships, provide passive recreation near the Spur Trail and offer a year-round amenity for seniors, students and the broader community. The narrowed scope reduces upfront cost while preserving public gathering features.
Next steps: Staff will finalize design details (including plant species, lighting and interpretive signage), prepare a final cost estimate and return to council for authorization to bid and award construction contracts. Development impact fees cover capital costs but not maintenance; council discussion flagged maintenance needs and opportunities for community partnerships and donor support.
