Burlingame District 2 candidates outline plans on housing, traffic, trees and downtown revival

A candidate forum for Burlingame’s District 2 on an evening at a community venue brought four contenders — Nirmala Bandrapali, Adia Khoury, Rachel Ni and Desiree Thayer — before a packed audience to stake out competing priorities on housing, transportation, tree preservation and downtown economic recovery.

The forum opened with city clerk Megan Hassellshear providing election logistics; Mark LeCasse moderated the forum and set strict time limits. In opening remarks, each candidate highlighted local service and experience: Nirmala Bandrapali cited planning-commission leadership and technology-sector program management; Adia Khoury described 25 years as a downtown business owner and beautification commissioner; Rachel Ni spoke of business-district and Broadway-planning work; Desiree Thayer noted environmental-program leadership and service on Peninsula Clean Energy’s community advisory committee.

Housing and renters: Candidates agreed more housing is part of the solution but differed on approaches. Desiree Thayer said the city must "build more housing" and preserve naturally affordable multifamily units by supporting landlords with retrofits and upgrades. Nirmala Bandrapali proposed a combination of measures including rent-stabilization options, stronger just-cause eviction protections, a rental-assistance program and a tenancy-advocacy office to help tenants access resources. Rachel Ni emphasized helping renters transition to homeownership; Adia Khoury pointed to county-level rent-control conversations and tying affordability measures to the incomes of first responders and teachers.

Transportation and congestion: All four prioritized transit-oriented solutions. Bandrapali and Ni supported transit-oriented development and improved signal timing; Thayer urged more frequent SamTrans and Caltrain service and a city shuttle or trolley to connect hotels and downtown; Khoury pushed for partnerships with hotels and the Chamber to shuttle visitors to Broadway and favored painted intersections and ticketing cameras at dangerous crossings pending long-term funding.

Climate and energy: Candidates said Burlingame has progress to build on. Thayer credited Peninsula Clean Energy with near-elimination of grid-related emissions in the city and urged focus on electrifying buildings and transportation. Bandrapali referenced prior climate-action work and set targets for deeper emissions reductions; Ni emphasized the need for utility infrastructure upgrades to support electrification.

Public safety, trees and parklets: Street safety and sidewalks were central concerns. Candidates supported Vision Zero-style investments; Thayer noted a $480,000 Department of Transportation grant that helps with those efforts. On tree removals, candidates acknowledged canopy loss from storms and safety-driven removals, and urged timely replanting and coordination with Caltrans and utility agencies. On parklets, opinions varied: some candidates praised uniform safety-driven designs and clearer rules, while others warned of increased fees and lost parking for small businesses.

Financing infrastructure: Asked how to pay for a potential city-hall replacement and other unfunded projects, candidates offered alternatives to a general-obligation bond: Bandrapali recommended pursuing state and federal grants and streamlining operations; Khoury suggested using revenue from growth and studying a move if fiscally prudent; Ni proposed a third-party economic study; Thayer suggested using surplus land sales and possibly modest increases in transient-occupancy tax earmarked for capital projects.

What to watch next: The candidates emphasized the Broadway Specific Plan, the North Rollins and Bayfront rezoning and the Caltrans El Camino Real renewal as near-term developments that will shape District 2. Each candidate urged voter engagement ahead of the November election.

Quotes drawn from the forum reflect candidates’ statements: "We need to build more housing," said Desiree Thayer; Nirmala Bandrapali said the city should "consider adopting rent stabilization" and a tenancy-advocacy office; Adia Khoury described the waterfront as "a treasure" for economic development; Rachel Ni said the city should "work on further rezoning" to support new businesses. The forum closed with two-minute statements from each candidate and brief moderator remarks on turnout and next steps.