CC MIN 2014-12-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Victor Torreano, representing the San Mateo County Building and Construction Trades Council that is affiliated with 26 local unions of highly skilled men and women, said they understand how much chaos construction can bring to a city and be disruptive to residents, but they have full faith in the planning trade and support the development. He questioned if these developers are aware of what the community benefits platForm is and what would be asked of them and asked that this be reiterated. He said they want what is best for the community as well partnering with transportation and housing advocates. Council took a short recess was taken from 9:40 p.m. to 9:48 p.m. Dr. Bell had some comments about the statements made and asked to clarify some of the misconceptions. One of the things was that this item is a redistribution of what was already on the Plan. He also addressed the question about staffing and emergency response, in that he pointed out that last year the Council directed staff to look at a five- year staffing plan due to growth. Consequently, the Council reinstated Fire Engine 9, added two more positions on the Police Department, and received a fire rescue boat. He said it is important to restate these facts and he encouraged people to attend the upcoming meetings in February and then in June on budget matters. Director Aknin touched on the Parking issues, which he said there have been three separate occurrences when staff presented to Council parking matters. He said he understood that this is not a static issue and staff is continually making adjustments on this issue. He further stated that almost all of these parking developments have to include parking, and in the evening and weekends it becomes public parking. A Council Member reiterated that the City is not reducing the overall retail, but rather reducing what was allocated. Also, he mentioned that the original impacts that were studied and certified correctly are not changing as well. This same Council Member also said that there is a greater opportunity around the outskirts of the DTPP to create affordability (housing). Another Council Member said that he is not in favor of the staff recommendation but in favor of Alternative One. He said this decision is based on balance and the quality of life. He said that he worked hard on the DTPP and he liked the balance that was set by it. He said that his question about the Community Benefits was to get to the right balance. He would like the developers to wait until the City does Phase II and believes that there are quality of life issues at stake. He mentioned the parking spaces at Crossing 900 and wants to reassess what is needed. He also opined that policies should be based on how people are, not how they would like people to be. One other Council Member asked Director Aknin what the implications were if Council selects Option 1. He said that developers would be left with two options: (1) wait until Downtown Plan Phase II, which will be a year long process and build in other parts of Redwood City, or (2) the developers will propose their own Downtown Precise Plan Amendment. The same Council Member inquired about what were the benefits to our community in allowing them to do it. He responded that it depends. He said that the JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD December 8, 2014 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 13 MINUTE BOOK NO. 65 � Page No. 295