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8.A. - Page 340 EIR that there is case 1aw that makes that precise point!)N� single person among us here I5 FA7IJSTkAI,sa we need not be dismissive of each other's opinions. It may be k�elpful for mc to thraw the words back in yo�,ir face�.gain--with ali the respect to which you are justifiabty entitted, --of Section 30.69 of the Redwaad City Code of Ordinances, as staf�'has directed you i�the past, "...xhe granting of the exception wall nat be de:trimental to t�he public welfare or inju.rio�s to other property in the viciniiy of the subj ect property." 75 of us have said the PD"significantly degrades the aesthetics of aur neighborhaod"and will anly Iead to"..,degratiatian of the unique charac#er and qua�ity of our street,"Without splitting hairs, isr�'t that detrimentat to the pubiic welfare? I want to remind you of a fact about the Finger�arm House�s it is stated in Redwood City Hist�ric Tours,cornpiled by ottr Historia Resources Advisory Gommittee,Edited by Ken RolandelIi and He1en Graves: "This is the aldest building in Redwoad City,"Think af it tt�a�way. Iz� addition, 1�?Finger Avenue is cited, "because it is one of the few Redwood City houses ctad entirely in brick.'° While I gather vur Arlington neighbarhood, of which Finger Avenue is a part, does not meet the criteria for an His#oric District,these examples of�istaric fact s�au2d b�hanored. The nortl� ,side af Fiz�ger A�enue has been described as semi-rural. Kindly think a�sa of the neighbarhood as do�s a neighbor wnose resgonse I see in the EIR: "Finger Avenue is one of tt�e rnost ancientiy wooded neighborhoods in San Mateo County, arid its gentie antiquity is what makes this s�ch a special place."Gentle antiquity; a felicitaus turn af p�rase,dan't you think? Wtiat we neighbors want is the continuation of a gaoc� user experience. We are the cnd users here. We�aak forward ta welcorning new neighbaxs who appreciate the iook and fee2 af the neighbvrhaod. And we do not oppose change per se. Mr. McGowan should not be denied his property right�o build four new hovses to replace those that are teardo�ns.. Tfh�ahonses to do that,that is fine and it is his right. But Plaianed Development pertnits grant permission from the Ciiy. Those permits are ta be granted pursuarxt to the objectives of Pla�rned Developxneacits. Mr. McGowan's prapos�I does not meet thase objectives. 3'herefore 1 want my City to exercise its right tv deny the application for the project he's pxesented,to build nine houses in the way that he proposes, �'erhaps then, Mr. McGowan will choase ta act more like Paul Powers,and return with an alternative that we can all agree is a good plan for th� sitc. Whsn the framers were drafting the Dec�azation of Independence, ar� eaxly ve�sion said all men were endawed by their Creator with"certa�n inalienable rights, that among these rights were"life, liberty ar�d property."The edit,suggested by Jeffersan and supported by Benjamin Franklin and the rest, replaces`�roperty"with "t�e pursuit c�f happiness,"* Those are the words T live by. The faotnote 13 on page I 13 of the First Amendment to ihe Axaft Focused E�R Report, Finger Avenue Nine-Lot Planned Development suggests no City respanse may be reqaired unless requested. Accordingly. I herehy request a response and, as aYwa.ys, I appreciate youz�good work.