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Residents press council to seek extra environmental review and challenge Metro BRT plans
Summary
Multiple speakers at the March 10 meeting urged the council to press Metro for supplemental environmental review on proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) alignments, citing SB79 and neighborhood impact concerns; the city attorney said staff is vetting SB79 implications and coordinating with Metro under an approved cooperative agreement.
Several public speakers at the March 10 Burbank council meeting urged elected officials to push Metro and neighboring cities for additional environmental review of proposed Bus Rapid Transit alignments.
Speakers including Mary O’Hare and Susan O’Carol screened a video and urged the council to have the city attorney respond to comments from Glendale’s mayor and Metro board members that Burbank cannot withhold construction permits. Commenters argued that voters approved transit taxes but not specific projects, and that SB79’s land‑use triggers raise new questions about impacts to single‑family neighborhoods.
City Attorney told the council Burbank requested supplemental environmental review where dedicated lanes would trigger SB79, and that the city is using the cooperative agreement with Metro to push for careful design that adheres to council policy. The attorney said SB79 may constitute substantial new information that changes prior environmental determinations and that staff is working to ensure the city’s approvals receive appropriate environmental vetting.
Council members reiterated they will defend Burbank’s policy preferences and continue to press for review and cooperative design adjustments. No formal litigation or new actions were announced at the meeting; the city attorney said staff would continue negotiating and analyzing legal implications.
