City Manager Update
Daniel Barros, City Manager
As we reflect on the year to-date and gather with friends and family to give thanks and celebrate the Holiday Season, November is also a reminder that winter and the wet-weather season is fast approaching. Preparation for winter storms is essential to preserving life and property. Many preparation measures can be done proactively prior to a storm’s arrival. Proactive measures include but are not limited to:
- Cleaning and clearing roof gutters and drainage channels around your property
- Be aware of low elevation spots on your property susceptible to flooding
- Prepare sandbags in areas of historical flooding or ponding
- Trim and remove potentially hazardous tree limbs that could become problematic in high winds
- Be prepared for a potential power outage by gathering flashlights and charging devices early and stock up on extra batteries
During active storms, stay connected to the Town of Colma (social media platforms) and enroll in the Town’s new TextMyGov messaging service. Residents may opt-in by texting the keyword “COLMA” to the number 91896. Additionally, stay connected to San Mateo County (SMC Alerts) communication channels for ongoing regional storm updates and information. Please report any issues or hazards you encounter to the Colma Police Department at (650) 997-8321. If you come across a down power line, do not touch it and call 911 immediately.
Planning Department Update
Farhad Mortazavi, City Planner
Colma’s Current Planning Section Projects Update
The Current Planning Section processes all residential, commercial, mixed-use and cemetery-related proposals. To exemplify a few, the following projects are currently in process or have been completed: Kia dealership’s new service center has been completed, and its operation has started; Home Depot’s parking structure was removed, and the resurfacing of the surface parking lot is being processed; Colma Police Department’s solar panel proposal is being processed; new plans have been submitted for the exterior redesign of the Burger King at 280 Metro Shopping Center; Honda Dealership proposal for the extension of its service center was approved; the permit has been issued for Devil Mountain Nursery (previously Pacific Nursery) new sales and administrative building; Town’s 2025 building Code Amendment is in process – to be completed by January 2026; Town’s two LED reader board signs for the Police Department and Community Center are being processed; Cypress Lawn’s historic Columbarium is in process of a major retrofit.
Colma’s Advanced Planning Section Projects
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance: Town’s Planning Department is putting efforts into adoption of the new ADU Ordinance as it would streamline the planning and building process of ADU and Junior ADUs. This effort is as part of the state-mandated regulation for compliance with the Town’s certified Housing Element Update (March 2024) and to rectify some of the challenges pertaining to affordable housing in Colma.
Master Fee Schedule: Planning staff is working to bring a proposal for City Council’s consideration for Town’s Master Fee Schedule – aimed to be heard by the Council in January 2026.
Housing Element Implementation Plan: Staff are working on the H.E. Implementation Plan since Town’s Housing Element Update certification by State Housing Agency (HCD) in March 2024. Certain steps have been taken procedurally for Housing Element compliance with the state-mandated regulations as it is required by law.
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