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. . . - - context....Some of the Planning Commissioners felt that way, the vote was 4-3 to approve, and in fact, two of the Commissioners called for a study of the entire area....! think that is the way we should proceed on this." --- Councilwoman La Berge said she shared the concerns of her colleagues regarding the economic future of the Port, compatibility, traffic and environmental implications. Councilwoman La Berge stated she would like to see the whole area studied again, and for that reason would vote "no." She added that voting "no is not a vote for heavy industries, and it is not a vote against a business park, but it is a vote for looking at the area in a larger context." Councilwoman Buchan said, like her colleagues she struggled with this many, many times. She stated that the real question was "what is the best land use for that property.....! am going to support the ordinance, because I feel that is the best route for our future. Not without serious concerns that have already been expressed, and I am sure that have been recognized by the developer. Not without those same serious concerns, not without the same respect for the Port tenants, not without the same respect and support of the Port. Will a project work there, I don't know now. I will be waiting for the development agreement to find out." Councilman Ruskin said "this decision will affect the life of our community for decades to come." He said that most of his reasons had been well stated by his colleagues. "I look upon this as an opportunity for economic growth, for us to take part in the kind of economic '--- growth that is changing our entire region, and to claim a share of that growth. Already with the limited amount of participation in business park growth in the high technology industry, Redwood City is actually laying claim to international recognition. This is because the area between San Francisco and San Jose is now becoming one of the most important economic areas of the world in high technology, and we need to take our share of that growth. I believe that rezoning is an economic opportunity that we cannot afford to overlook. If we postpone it now we will only be doing that, we will just be postponing it. I believe we will make the same decision several years hence. However, I believe we must maintain some balance and that is why it is important that the Port remain a viable and profitable organization.....The incompatibility issue needs to be addressed, the issue of noise and dust, but there are trends across the country now in which heavy industry is making successful strides in adjusting to those new demands. Where heavy industry is not being moved out, or not moving out, but is making adjustments to be compatible to business parks and vice versa, and I think that will happen here....Traffic will be ameliorated to some extent, and the environmental considerations will be mitigated. I believe very strongly that it is very important that the agreement that is reached be one that is acceptable and valuable.....1t must ensure, as much as possible, the continued existence of the Port, must include a minimum of 10 acres delivered to the Port, and must as well contain elements of design that make the entire area a real value to all of Redwood City.....It is our public access to the water, to that area, and we must have an agreement that is to the best interest, not only of the economy, but to the people of Redwood City, so that we not only bring jobs.....but we L Regular Meeting Minutes MINUTE BOOK NO. 54 February 12, 1996 Page No. 085 Page 18