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Gwenythe Scove asked that the initiative be put on the November ballot. She shared her <br /> perspective that this vote initiative will have no effect under current zoning and City plans. <br /> She urged continued support of the Open Space Vote in that in her view it will protect <br /> parks and tidal planes. <br /> Jeff Austin stated that working towards environmental stewardship was important, but that <br /> the proposed initiative may be giving lesser consideration to some residential and <br /> business community members. He stated the initiative does not make it clear who or what <br /> the target is in the initiative, and asked that further discussion warrants more clarity. He <br /> would like Save the Bay to know that the City has a commitment toward the environmental <br /> future of Redwood City. <br /> Peggy Bruggman urged the City to remove its countermeasure since it deals with only one <br /> landowner (Cargill), and therefore is legally challengeable. She stated that the <br /> countermeasure allows that (I don't understand this?) open space land uses be decided <br /> by an unfair 51% vote, whereas the initiative provides the two-thirds requirement and this <br /> is not un-democratic. She stated it takes a two-thirds vote to fund activities on these open <br /> spaces, and it should take a two-thirds vote to destroy them. <br /> James Jonas (with time conceded by Lynn Chou Jonas), stated he is in the Dock Town <br /> community, and that they are part of the unintended consequences. He stated the <br /> importance of reading and understanding the Open Space measure, in that it implies more <br /> than it actually says. He spoke to the actualities of the Open Space measure and how this <br /> will affect the community and its unintended consequences. He stated that all parties <br /> could do a much better job in addressing this issue together as other communities have <br /> done. <br /> Cherlene Wright, Chairperson of Citizens to Protect Redwood City, addressed the <br /> language on the proposed initiative. She pointed out what she called the larger possible <br /> financial impact and how this might be on the ballot language. <br /> Marsha Cohen stated she expected public officials to support the majority of what the <br /> community desired, and that in gathering petition signatures, there was a two out of three <br /> affirmation for the proposed amendment. She spoke to the issue of unintended <br /> consequences, the relationship between the City and Cargill, and Council's delay on <br /> putting this amendment on the November ballot. She also spoke to a request of public <br /> records she submitted to City Clerk Vonderlinden for correspondence regarding Cargill. <br /> Carole Wong submitted her comments in writing, and also spoke about her concerns over <br /> the unintended consequences. Ms. Wong opined that these do exist for certain property <br /> owners whose buildings and/or docks spread out into open waters. She spoke to the <br /> zoning concerns for these property owners and the number of properties affected by this <br /> initiative. <br /> Mayor Foust clarified the number of properties affected on the waterfront which is actually <br /> 565 versus 575 she had previously cited, which included multifamily dwellings, single <br /> family homes, landscaping and commercial properties. <br /> REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 28, 2008 <br /> MINUTES PAGE 8 <br /> MINUTE BOOK NO. 62 <br /> Page No.176 <br />