CC MIN 2014-07-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

. . . - irurr■ F.. .r�� Gregory Smith said he is a homeowner nearby the entrance of the school, and opined that there have been no real changes or benefits with the new information. He commented that the Planning Commission had voted strongly against this project given the very high density in the area and he spoke in favor of denying the appeal, upholding the decision of the Planning Commission, and to not have to go through this process again for incremental changes. Dawn Ward lives adjacent to the driveway area, and spoke against the project and shared detailed information about the increased traffic and noise related to the various schools in the area that they have had over the years. She opined that the revisions to the project would exceed recommended noise levels and approval would tip scales in terms of livability for the school and residents and this is not the right place for this. Caroline Schwartz and Brian Schwartz are residents with small children and they both spoke in favor of the project and the need for quality private schools in their community that are nondenominational and affordable. Mrs. Schwartz opined that there would have been more people speaking in favor of the project had they been more informed as quality schools are important. 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. JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD July 28, 2014 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 10 MINUTE BOOK NO. 65 Page No. 206