In 2007, McGowan Development submitted an application for a Planned Development and Conditional Use Permit to the City of Redwood City, California, to demolish three existing residences and construct nine ~2800 to 3600 sq. ft. 4 bedroom homes on the combined properties currently known as 50, 80, and 88 Finger Avenue. The signees of this petition believe that there are far better options for redeveloping these properties and urge the Planning Commission and City Council of the City of Redwood City to deny this application on the following grounds: Based on the current proposal under consideration by the City, 1) the project will unalterably degrade the unique, eclectic, and historic character of the neighborhood by producing a private, planned subdivision that will be distinct and apart from the surrounding community; 2) the proposed lot coverages and setbacks far exceed those of the adjoining neighborhood as well as exceeding the limits allowed by present zoning laws, without providing any open space or other benefit to the neighborhood or community in return; 3) the proposal to construct four large homes on the bank of Cordilleras Creek will undoubtedly compromise the sensitive habitat of the creek as well as increase flood and erosion hazards to the neighborhood and to downstream residents. In addition, by granting a Conditional Use Permit to allow encroachment on the creek bank, the recently enacted Creek Protection Ordinance would be rendered essentially meaningless, setting a dangerous precedent for the future; 4) the development provides for less off-street and visitor parking than in the surrounding neighborhood, further impacting traffic and parking on the neighborhood\'s narrow streets; 5) the development\'s private roadway does not provide for pedestrian or bicycle access, nor does it match the existing streetscape or meet the minimum street width standard set by the City\'s Engineering Department. Finally, with the number and degree of exceptions requested by this Planned Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit Application, this proposal effectively ignores most applicable zoning regulations and ordinances. Thus it will set an undesirable precedent for the future, by encouraging future developers to ignore the legal protections that Redwood City\'s residents currently enjoy.

Sponsor

Links