CC MIN 1973 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

43 Mr . Kantor questioned the wisdom of lifting the moratorium before resolving other issues such as the viability of the proposed shopping center ; assurance that a strong affirmative action position will be taken with regard to develop - , ment in the area ; assurance that dwelling units meet seismic safety standards ; and that provision is made for adequate open space . He urged also that units of low and moderate income housing be included in the first phase of develop - ment . Ronald J . MacQuarrie , President , Redwood Shores Homeowners Association , stated that his organization believes it is important that the total value of out - standing obligations be ascertained and brought back into the District . They do not oppose refunding bonds as long as there is indemnification . They favor lifting of the moratorium along with the lifting of the obligation and believe the Brod property should be annexed . Mr . MacQuarrie advised that the homeowners are willing to take their fair share of low and moderate income housing provided its impact and financial arrangements are considered now . He urged that consideration should be given to the amount of such housing the City now has and the amount it needs . He also asked that Redwood Shores residents be included in any discussion regard - ing the housing program . Reverend Richard Bimson , First United Methodist Church , and a member of the Housing Concerns Committee , endorsed Mr . Kantor ' s remarks in the area of in- cluding low and moderate income housing early in future development . He stated that in order to be sure it will also be a harmonious community , it is important that it be known in advance to prospective residents of Redwood Shores that it is to be a balanced community including provision for low and moderate income housing . Rick Thurber , resident of Redwood City , stated that he recently moved here from Los Angeles and is concerned that any development be undertaken with care , taking into consideration the cost to the City in noise , pollution , traffic and the effect on other residents of the City . Neil Smith , Mobil Oil Estates (Redwood ) Limited , stated that based on the re - quest made at the September 11 Council meeting , he obtained a commitment from Mobil with regard to the water storage reservoir and the oxidation pond , gen- erally with the understanding that the moratorium would be lifted on some reasonable terms . Since Mobil has offered to pay for these two items lack of which was responsible for the moratorium , Mr . Smith suggested the $ 1 . 8 million and the lifting of the moratorium could be disentangled and two separate agree - ments approved . He stated he would have problems with his New York office , if they are willing to pay for the reservoir and the pond , but none of the lots are to be released . With regard to the lifting of the moratorium , he also stated that there is a desire to create improved values within the District so that the situation does not arise where the tax rate must be raised , when , if the improvements were in , it could be reduced . Mr . Smith said that Mobil would approve a staged release , but would like to have it related to specific items rather than in vague terms , Mr , Smith read pages 1 and 2 of his letter of October 23 stating Mobil ' s views with regard to refunding and indemnification . He suggested that implicit in Mr . Kuebelbeck ' s report is that in any year when refunding bonds are issued and must be indemnified , then all construction bonds must be indemnified also . Mr . Smith believed such a requirement to be unfair to the landowner , but also pre - sented him with a potential conflict with the best interest of the District . He gave as an example a year in which $200 , 000 of refunding bonds might be issued and there might be a development need for three million dollars of con- struction bonds , all having to be indemnified . In such a situation , the land - owner would be reluctant to proceed with the desired construction in that particular year . Mr . Smith continued , speaking about the provisions for low and moderate income housing and suggested a subcommittee consisting of two or three representatives each from the Housing Concerns Committee , from Redwood Shores Homeowners , from Land for People and other housing development groups , and one representative from Mobil . Mr . Smith acknowledged that the shopping center is in a very competitive situa- tion , but if they are able to move positively , they believe it can be achiever . Discussion followed and Mr . Smith and City Manager Fales responded to questions con- cerning District and developer responsibilities with regard to in- tract improvements and reclamation . Mr . Kuebelbeck answered questions also with regard to the impos - sibility of trying to tie the 1 . 5% to the in- tract improvements . He stated that the 11/1/73 Adj . Reg . Mtg . - t