City, San Mateo County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Code: 94005
More a
hamlet than a town. For about a
half century Brisbane added few new homes but after a long fight, a developer
won permission to erect about 600 homes and apartments in the hills on the
north side. The population, which had hovered about 3,000, now stands at 3,993. www.mccormacks.com
The rest
of Brisbane's housing is concentrated in a small area on the east slopes of San
Bruno Mountain (elevation 1,315 feet). Many residents see themselves as
guardians of the mountain, which is why the developer had a helluva time
getting anything approved.
Median age
of residents is 40. Kids under 18 account for 18 percent of town; over 55
years, 18 percent. Translation: mature town, few kids, many singles and empty
nesters. Town promoter supposedly came from Brisbane, Australia.
Click for regional or detailed map
Located a
short distance from San Francisco International, Brisbane has benefited from
the office-hotel boom generated by the airport. The city has an office park
down on the Bay that includes the national headquarters for Hitachi America.
Among fairly recent arrivals, on the waterfront, an eight-story hotel with 210
rooms.
Sheltered
by the mountain, Brisbane often enjoys sunny weather while its neighbors shiver
in the coastal fog and winds.
Much of
Brisbane’s housing was built before World War II. Small lots. Some flat tops.
With the hills steep and most homes spread over two or more stories, you do a
lot of climbing. The views are sweeping. www.mccormacks.com
The state
in 2010 tallied 1,968 residential units — 1,094 single family, 262
single-attached, 569 multiples, 43 mobile homes.
Brisbane
backs up to a large, hilly park (San Bruno Mountain). Two neighborhood parks. Skate
park. Teen center, rec center, community pool. Marina. Usual sports and
activities. Small shopping center at entrance to city.
Crocker
Industrial Park was annexed in the 1980s. Land set aside for industry dwarfs
residential land. Residential section is buffered from business-industrial-warehouse.
Offices and marina east of Interstate 101. Quarry to west of the city. The
business section generates taxes that help pay for municipal services.
Served by
Brisbane Elementary District, enrollment about 610, two elementary schools and
a middle school. In 1999, the district, by one vote, passed a parcel tax to
teach the kids art and music and improve their reading. The tax was renewed in 2005 —
$96 annually per parcel. An $11 million renovation bond passed comfortably in
2003. See Schools.
Older
children move up to schools in the Jefferson High School District. Terra Nova
High seems to be the most popular choice but the kids have the option, space
available, to choose any school in the district. www.mccormacks.com
Zero
homicides between 2007 and 1996, one in 1995, zero in 1994. Overall crime rate is low. There are
only two roads into the major part of town; no through traffic. Access and
familiarity conspire against intruders. See Crime.
Good
commute. San Francisco is right over the border, the international airport is
about five miles to the south. Many jobs, firms in this part of San Mateo
County. Highway 101 runs long the east side of town. Train station and BART
station in nearby South San Francisco. Train goes north to downtown San
Francisco and south to Silicon Valley and San Jose. Buses.
Fees were
raised to overhaul the town's sewer and water system.
Yours is
not to reason why; yours is to dial and guess why the-powers-that-be divided
Brisbane into two area codes, 415 and the new 650. If the first fails, try the
other. Chamber of commerce (415) 467-7283.
•
Brisbane, on its waterfront, used have a dump and rail yard; long gone. The
city wants to take 659 acres of this area, prime, clean it up, seal it properly
and develop it for housing, stores and offices. Many arguments over the project
but this was expected. City is going slow and trying to come with plan that
will win approval of residents. www.mccormacks.com
• Quarry
wanted to build housing and close operations. Voters turned down housing and quarry
kept on excavating. Within the Brisbane breast, there beats many a heart that
hopes the quarry shuts down and its trucks disappear. If city hall can work out
deal that satisfies the interests of the city and off the quarry, the latter
may leave the rocks in peace.
City web
site: www.ci.brisbane.ca.us
