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From:Chris MacIntosh <br />To:publiccomment <br />Subject:April 14 city council meeting - Redwood Life project alternative <br />Date:Friday, April 4, 2025 8:49:40 PM <br />You don't often get email from chrismac@alumni.upenn.edu. Learn why this is important <br />Dear Mayor and members of City Council, <br />I write to request that you delay selection of the alternative for the Redwood Life <br />development (scheduled for the meeting on April 14, 2025). While the developer and <br />consultant have produced 2 alternatives to the original plan, both are still far too large <br />for the site. <br />Changing from a (relatively) small office park to a huge biotech park plus hotel will <br />result in many detrimental changes to the environment. <br />Specifically, there will be increased light pollution over Belmont Slough at night from <br />24/7 traffic, and from lighted buildings. The hotel will actually overlook the slough and <br />rooms will shine light out on to it. This will significantly disrupt the ability of nocturnal <br />birds to hunt, and of diurnal birds to find nesting or roosting places where they will not <br />be seen. <br />Biotech buildings operate more equipment day and night, and emit more noise. Traffic <br />will occur all day and night. Birds and other wildlife will be constantly under stress, <br />normal activities will be constantly disrupted, and communication due to the noise <br />level will be disrupted. The increased building heights (up to 100’ from current 53’) will <br />shade the slough, reducing the daylight available to birds and wildlife, and affecting <br />plant growth. <br />Insufficient studies have been done on the safety of the landfill, which was closed and <br />capped in the early 1970s. Constructing into the cap, adding the weight of buildings <br />and, not least, the potential for groundwater incursion (climate change and sea level <br />rise are happening) allowing contaminants to escape - these are just some of the <br />potential problems with the size of the proposed development. <br />Many in the community of Redwood Shores and those who work or visit there want a smaller <br />development that will be safe for and considerate of both humans and wildlife. <br />Please ask for a safer and smaller-sized development. <br />Thank you. <br />Chris MacIntosh <br />Redwood City <br />chrismac@alumni.upenn.edu