Laserfiche WebLink
SIERRA CLUB <br />LOMA PRIETA CHAPTER <br />January 8, 2021 <br />Mayor Diane Howard <br />Council Members <br />City Council, Redwood City <br />Via email: councilgredwoodcily.orfz <br />��p,NC Ig�a <br />9 ;green <br />foothills <br />CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO <br />COMPLETE THE REFUGE <br />RE: Council Meeting Agenda Item 8.B Accept Redwood City Ferry Financial Feasibility Study and <br />Cost -Benefit & Economic Impact Analyses, January 11, 2021 <br />Dear Mayor Howard and Council Members, <br />Redwood City Neighbors United, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, Green Foothills and Citizens <br />Committee to Complete the Refuge have reviewed the Redwood City Ferry Financial Feasibility Study. <br />Our organizations are not opposed to the proposed ferry terminal, but we have serious concerns about <br />specific language in the Economic Impacts section of the Study related to building "Transit -Oriented <br />Development" in the vicinity of the ferry. <br />The Ferry Feasibility Study concluded that the terminal is economically feasible based on in -commute <br />ridership to the existing large employers in the area, and the commercial businesses and offices in <br />Redwood City's Downtown district. Ferry riders would be transported the "last mile" using shuttles to <br />Downtown and nearby workplaces. <br />Although clearly not essential for the economic viability of the ferry, the Study advocates for "proactive <br />planning efforts and strategic land use designations" to "incentivize" Transit -Oriented Development <br />within walking distance of the new ferry terminal. The Study references a current Metropolitan <br />Transportation Commission policy (MTC Resolution 3434 Transit -Oriented Development (TOD) Policy <br />for Regional Transit Expansion Projects) that requires a minimum of 750 housing units within a half - <br />mile of a ferry terminal in order to qualify for certain sources of transit expansion funding The Study <br />also suggests that the Redwood City Housing Element Update could be used as a planning initiative to <br />increase development in the terminal area. <br />Our City's current General Plan Land Use and Zoning designations preclude residential development in <br />this area to avoid potential land use conflicts from placing housing next to the Port and Port -related <br />industries, and to protect Open Space lands. When the Port Commissioners accepted the Ferry <br />Feasibility Study on December 9th, Port Executive Director Kristine Zortman stated, "I think the Port has <br />always taken the position that we are cognizant of incompatible land uses, and we are opposed to <br />housing in adjacent areas to the Port." <br />