Laserfiche WebLink
From:Jessica Shade <br />To:publiccomment <br />Cc:Chris Sturken <br />Subject:Key Priorities for a Greener, Safer Redwood City <br />Date:Friday, February 7, 2025 9:52:12 AM <br />You don't often get email from sica@live.com. Learn why this is important <br />Dear Members of the Redwood City City Council, <br />I am writing to encourage the Council to prioritize two key initiatives over the next year that <br />would make Redwood City a healthier, more livable, and more sustainable community: <br />1.Planting and Protecting Large Trees <br />Trees play a critical role in addressing climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, <br />reducing urban heat, and improving air quality. As temperatures continue to rise, large- <br />canopy trees are essential for cooling our neighborhoods, providing shade, and <br />reducing energy demand for air conditioning. Stronger protections for mature trees will <br />help maintain these benefits, while proactively planting more trees—especially in areas <br />with low canopy coverage—will ensure future resilience. <br />Beyond their environmental impact, trees also make Redwood City a more beautiful, <br />welcoming, and enjoyable place to live. Tree-lined streets encourage walking, improve <br />property values, and create more inviting public spaces. Neighborhoods with abundant <br />greenery feel safer, more connected, and more vibrant. I urge the Council to adopt <br />policies that prevent unnecessary tree removals, require appropriate mitigation for lost <br />canopy, and invest in strategic tree planting efforts to enhance both environmental <br />sustainability and community well-being. <br />2.Creating a More Bike-Friendly City <br />Redwood City has made progress in promoting alternative transportation, but there is <br />still a need for safer, more connected bike infrastructure. A proven approach, <br />successfully implemented in Berkeley, is to designate certain streets as true bike <br />boulevards by restricting car through-traffic while allowing bikes to pass. These <br />measures, along with traffic calming strategies like speed humps and curb extensions, <br />would make biking safer, reduce cut-through traffic, and encourage more residents to <br />choose bikes over cars for short trips. Prioritizing these changes will not only improve <br />safety but also help the city meet its climate and sustainability goals by reducing vehicle <br />emissions. <br />Both of these initiatives align with Redwood City’s environmental commitments and its vision <br />of being a thriving, people-centered community. I encourage the Council to take bold action to <br />support tree protection and bike infrastructure improvements in the coming year. Thank you <br />for your time and consideration.