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.
I spent the afternoon walking along Cordilleras Creek again and it is clear that this development ignores the reality of our flood risks. My neighbors keep reaching out with their own stories of how this site shaped their lives and why we must protect it from becoming just another oversized subdivision.
July 28, 2008
Seeing this kind of backing reminds me why I fought so hard to protect the creek and the character of our neighborhood. It is incredibly moving to see so many people recognize that these homes do not belong where they threaten our environment and our history.
3 Comments
S
Sarah Jimenez
18 years ago
Featured
STOP RUINING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!!
L
Linda Santana
18 years ago
Featured
This is ridiculous. Nine houses on that tiny lot is just way too much for our street. It will crowd everyone out and be a nightmare for traffic.
M
Mark Kim
18 years ago
Featured
keep the creek protected. the city cant just ignore the laws they made for themselves just to let a developer make a bunch of money off oversized houses.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
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.
I spent the afternoon walking along Cordilleras Creek again and it is clear that this development ignores the reality of our flood risks. My neighbors keep reaching out with their own stories of how this site shaped their lives and why we must protect it from becoming just another oversized subdivision.
July 28, 2008
Seeing this kind of backing reminds me why I fought so hard to protect the creek and the character of our neighborhood. It is incredibly moving to see so many people recognize that these homes do not belong where they threaten our environment and our history.
3 Comments
S
Sarah Jimenez
18 years ago
Featured
STOP RUINING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!!
L
Linda Santana
18 years ago
Featured
This is ridiculous. Nine houses on that tiny lot is just way too much for our street. It will crowd everyone out and be a nightmare for traffic.
M
Mark Kim
18 years ago
Featured
keep the creek protected. the city cant just ignore the laws they made for themselves just to let a developer make a bunch of money off oversized houses.
STOP RUINING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!!