PC 10/07/99 - Laserfiche WebLink

incorporated, or deny the EIR and require San Francisco to conduct a more thorough study. He noted he would desire to take the approach that he does not believe that San Francisco's interpretation of what the Commission required of the denial is adequate. He noted the reasons for coming to this conclusion as follows: If the intent of the land use is to continue to keep the property in perpetuity and do nothing with it, then it would be adequate and complete; however, he noted that is not the case. Commissioner Kumaran stated that San Francisco intends to build 1900 homes, a golf course, a neighborhood park, 755,000 square feet of commereial space, and an adjoining elementary school. He noted the importance of having information that the health impacts and the threat to health impacts won't be non-significant if all of the future impacts for future uses are considered. He noted that the grading, soil impacts, digging, and the fact that in the future people will be living here on sites in proximity to this area, the impacts to the people living there and in surrounding areas, are of paramount importance. He noted that the study should address the impacts of development and future land use and the consequences on the people who will live there in the future and the neighbors. Further, Commissioner Kumaran raised the question of whether the study can be performed at a later point in time subsequent to the approval and he stated in his opinion, that due to knowledge ora potential problem, he would not be in favor of postponing the study and finding out later it was something that should have not been performed in the first place. Further, he would not be in favor of postponing the study and finding out later that the study should have been done much earlier. Commissioner Kumaran commented on the study and where it had shortcomings. He noted that the objective is important and he doesn't question the credibility of the people who conducted the study; however, they conducted the study given the scope and then provided the results based on the scope of the study. He noted his desire to see the statements made by objective agencies, such as Mr. Widner. and the Department of Health Services. He referenced the September 20, 1999 letter from the Department of Health Services and read, "That this analysis does not address long-term or chronic health defects for potential contaminants that may exist at less than acute levels," and he requested that the study address this statement. Further, he read that "the levels of radiation for the Bemal property are not significantly different than background supported by the analytical data attached to this, and "the laboratory detection limit used in the analysis for radionuclides was not low enough to establish a local ground range for comparison." Commissioner Kumaran commented on the information received relating to the half-life of Plutonium 239, and noted there are long-term impacts for future generations utilizing this property. He noted that people will suffer the consequences of decisions made today if the decision is made hastily to conduct tests later and to move forward and approve the EIR. He commented on the background levels of Plutonium 238 due to global weapon testing fallout, and noted he finds the levels disturbing. Further, that it should be determined this will not be a health hazard. He noted that the levels of Plutonium 239 found at the Bemal property was a factor of 20 greater than what was found in the vicinity of the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. He noted that because he does not have expertise as a nuclear scientist, the experts' opinions must be relied upon. Further, that when an independent body such as a State agency makes statements of concern, that there is reason to expand the scope of the study more than the study that the City of San Francisco took to determine the potential health impacts. Further. it Planning Commission Minutes October 7, 1999 Page 9