A project to add more than 2,000 housing units and potentially double the size of Brisbane is entering its final phase of review.

“To reach this point, literally tens of thousands of work hours have been expanded by industry experts and city staff,” Brisbane City Manager Jeremy Dennis said in a statement.

Brisbane, with a population of 4,851 in northern San Mateo County, is adjacent to U.S. Highway 101 between San Francisco and South San Francisco. Its 2,052 housing units occupy 3.5 square miles on the shore of San Francisco Bay, according to the city.

Diagram of the proposed Brisbane Baylands development project that could add more than 2,000 housing units to Brisbane. The 2026 Draft Specific Plan will be released during the week of May 11, 2026. (City of Brisbane via Bay City News)

The Brisbane Baylands development project, which has been in the works for over two decades, proposes adding 1,800 to 2,200 housing units, up to 7 million square feet of commercial space, and more than 100 acres of open space and amenities.

The project is nearing the last steps of the review process, which includes getting evaluations and approvals from the Brisbane Planning Commission and the City Council.

The Final Environmental Impact Report will be released the week of May 11 along with the 2026 Draft Specific Plan that reflects staff recommendations to the developer’s proposal.

“To reach this point, literally tens of thousands of work hours have been expanded by industry experts and city staff.”
City Manager Jeremy Dennis

In mid-June, the Planning Commission will begin its review of the Draft Specific Plan and the Environmental Impact Report.

Before the commission’s hearings, workshops will be scheduled to discuss an overview of the proposal and invite the public to ask questions. The public will then be able to provide feedback and share their opinions at the commission’s hearings.

“We are all excited to hear from residents on how to make this an even better project for all those who live or work in Brisbane and will be enjoying its amenities,” Dennis said.

Once the commission completes its evaluation, it will formulate recommendations to the City Council for consideration. Another set of public hearings will be held by the City Council.

A final decision on whether to approve the proposal is expected this fall.

Alise is a general assignment reporter with a focus on covering government, elections, housing, crime, courts and entertainment in San Francisco and on the Peninsula. Alise is a Bay Area native from San Carlos. She studied history at University of California, Santa Cruz and first started journalism at Skyline College’s school newspaper in San Bruno. She has interned for Bay City News and for Eesti Rahvusringhääling, or Estonian Public Broadcasting. She has covered everything from the removal of former San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus to the divisive battle over the Great Highway on San Francisco’s west side. Please send her any tips.