AgdaPkt 2014-08-25 Closed and Joint with SA and Planning Amended

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7.1.F. - Page 11 Ron Bomman, a resident since 1950, said he had been through the school system from Kindergarten through High School and had worked at Kennedy School for many years. He said that he has seen many of the problems schools have had and spoke in favor of the project for the school and the applicants. He asked that it be reconsidered. Waldeman Strack cited a Planning Commission resolution's finding that they did not find the use consistent with the objectives of the General Plan or the Zoning stipulations; the neighborhood is deemed complete; and, this project would create a negative impact on the residential area and the permit (was) denied. He questioned why we are here, what percentage of low income children would be enrolled at Cambridge Academy, or is it only for those can afford to pay. He spoke against the project and said there should be one correction to the staff report to add the Learning Center in Roosevelt Shopping Center as it parks four buses in that area. Firouzeh Jalilian lives on a corner directly across the entrance of the project and spoke about how it used to be a quiet area. But with the start of school, there is a lot of noise and traffic making it hard for her to come and go to work. She spoke in support of the Planning Commission's decision to deny the project. Patricia Barron, a Redwood City School District employee and 28-year resident, spoke in support of the hard work the School District does. She spoke about many traffic problems in the area, including congestion and accidents; a past study conducted by the city and efforts to calm and manage traffic in the area; is against adding more traffic in this area; clarified that there has never been a grammar school on the church property (just preschools and nurseries); and, she spoke against overuse of the site and this facility would add more traffic and congestion. Michael Diego opined that California schools rank close to bottom for education and spoke in support of the Cambridge project. Ryan Johnson said he knows the owners and said that Cambridge has worked with the City and neighbors to try to address and make changes to their program, which shows their support and desire to work with the community. He spoke in favor of having a nondenominational choice for people and the project. Harry Bedigian lives across the street from the project and opined that the Planning Commission's job is to make proper planning decisions and as a building contractor, he often deals with planning people and thinks they do an excellent job. He spoke about the traffic problems the area has typically, including bottlenecks about 2 1/2 blocks away from other schools. He noted that earlier this year Mayor Gee had complimented the Planning Commission on the work they have been doing and that this same body had voted to deny the project and he hopes Council will make the right decision. Jean Bedigian, a 35-year resident, spoke how having another school in the area would have an adverse effect on the neighborhood. She opined that the neighborhood is already saturated with noise and congestion. Furthermore, the Council should honor the Planning Commission's decision to deny the use permit for this project, because the neighborhood is already complete. She also opined that there are other good, affordable schools of choice in Redwood City and she likes their quiet neighborhood. JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD July 28, 2014 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 10