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Superintendent Adams thanked the Council for its support and showed everyone a framed poster illustrating the spirit of Public Works Week. He requested Council authorization to display the poster in the Community Development Department in the new City Hall. Mayor Hartnett said he thought that would be a great idea. MEMO 5/20/97 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (203) A. Dr. Steve Howard, member of the Redwood City Architectural Advisory Committee, described the Committee's review of the proposed 2150 Roosevelt project which was in effect rejected by Council (5-2) at the May 12, 1997 Council meeting, by Council's majority decision not to change the General Plan zoning for that area. Dr. Howard suggested that the Council and Planning Commission work together early in the permit and planning process on large or controversial projects to assure developers they are on the right track. Dr. Howard said Classic Communities had worked through the City's process for over a year and a half, and had spent a great deal of money responding to the Architectural Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, staff and the neighbors, only to be rejected by the Council, which, although the Council praised Classic Communities for its efforts, its proposed project, and its track record, did not want an Rl-MD zoning for that area. Council Members agreed with Dr. Howard that the process needed to include the Council earlier in the planning and permit phase to avoid another situation like this one or the recent rejection of the proposed Franklin Street Area Plan project. MEMO 5/20/97 B. Nick Watry, member of the Redwood City Planning Commission, referred to Council's rejection of the 2150 Roosevelt project by majority vote on May 12, 1997, and described the Planning Commission and Classic Communities hard work on that project. Mr. Watry described the need for housing in Redwood City and the Peninsula, and the state and regional guidelines requesting Redwood City to provide 3,500 new housing units over the next five years. Mr. Watry said, "Needless to say, the May 12th vote by the Council is very disappointing. I was not consulted by the Council before their vote and neither were any of my fellow Planning Commissioners contacted. As a Planning Commissioner, I serve at the pleasure of the Redwood City, City Council. But it appears that my work is not aligned with the majority opinion of the Council and therefore as of this date, May 19, 1997, and with much regret, 1 formally submit my resignation." Mr. Watry submitted his letter of resignation which is on file in the City Clerk Department. Mayor Hartnett said, "I wish we didn't have to accept it. We did at the time we made our decision on the Petrini site indicate our admiration for the Planning Commission members and the hard work that they did. The matter was on appeal to us, and in fact we did affirm part of what the Planning Commission did in terms of the Environmental Assessments. It REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 MAY 19, 1997 MINUTES Page No. 330 PAGE 2