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6.1.A. - Page 27 <br /> Environmental Quality Control Act) challenges/appeal, he noted that generally the areas <br /> of "concern" or "issues" are traffic, air quality, sewage plant, and a few others. He <br /> believes staff has addressed the issues satisfactorily. He also noted the consultants <br /> were available to respond to questions. <br /> Mayor Aguirre clarified that the Council has read all the documents submitted by both <br /> parties and has reviewed all the additional materials presented. Mayor Aguirre asked <br /> speakers to emphasize points of significance and to not repeat items already on the <br /> record. <br /> Diana Reddy, appellant with Redwood City Local Housing, said she believes this <br /> development is not a good fit for the neighborhood. She acknowledged that this is a <br /> self-serving appeal because there are people in this organization who live in the area. <br /> She then provided statistics on socio-economic demographics of Redwood City. She <br /> does not support 100 percent market rate developments along priority development <br /> areas like EI Camino Real. She noted that according to the San Mateo County <br /> Department of Housing Statistics, Redwood City currently provides 13 percent of the <br /> affordable housing stock in San Mateo County. She opined that she was raised in a <br /> community where the main axioms were to support our workers, housing, and the <br /> environment. <br /> Elaine Breeze, Urban Housing Group, addressed the Council and provided details <br /> about the project which asks for no variances, no concessions and no exceptions <br /> (presentation on file). Furthermore, she noted its compliance with the Grand Boulevard <br /> Initiative. She also reviewed some of the community benefits: the closing of Secrets <br /> Adult Superstore across the street; enhancement of the existing storefronts near the <br /> project; improvements to the pedestrian experience; safety along EI Camino Real; <br /> relocating and refurbishing the Mel's Bowl sign; approximately $2.3 million in City fees <br /> including more than $1 million for parks; 225-250 temporary construction jobs; new <br /> transit and service oriented rental housing; and, five (5) below-market rate units for <br /> median income Redwood City residents. Ms. Breeze summarized the outreach <br /> meetings led and the input received from residents. She provided details on each of <br /> these items and requested a denial of the appeals. <br /> The second appellant's attorney, Tara Kaushik , with Redwood City Citizens for <br /> Responsible Development, spoke about the EIR and how she does not believe its <br /> conclusions are accurate. She believes the project has significant vehicle emissions on <br /> EI Camino Real which seem to exceed the Bay Area Quality Control Management <br /> District standards and these toxic air contaminants will increase the exposure and <br /> cause higher cancer risk. She opposes the City's conclusion on toxicology and opined <br /> it was not handled correctly because it used averages instead of corresponding figures <br /> per year and therefore the figures are incorrect. She consulted with Dr. James Clark, a <br /> toxicology specialist and dispersion modeling specialist, and he concluded that the <br /> City's analyses failed to disclose, analyze, or mitigate the cancer risk. She believes <br /> there might be significant traffic impacts during construction and she believes the EIR <br /> lacks such analysis. Regarding the vesting map, she opined it was inconsistent with the <br /> municipal code. She urged the City Council to uphold the appeal and require an <br /> CITY COUNCIL February 13, 2012 <br /> MEETING MINUTES PAGE 7 <br />