PC 01/23/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

~ Gary Rath, 605 Crystal Court, said he could not understand what the City.s goal or objective is concerning this project. He thought it was. marginal piece of lend as far 88 construction was concerned. He felt they should look further at the "BIGII picture as all the schools will be ift1)8cted, along with all the other concerns ment i oned toni ght. (Much applause) Blaise Lofland returned to the podium. He read further in the EIR and indicated that it was contradictory to what was considered an envirormental irrpect. Don Temple returned to the podium. He referred to a meeting between City Council and the school Board with the subject being the trading of property. In the area of north Sycamore, he Slid there is 8 major parcel which is part of that development that was condemned 26 years ago in 8 condemnetion process. As he understood the situation at this time the school Board is wanting to sell the property and looking at putting in two elementary schools on the San Francisco property. The school Board also made 8 strong point that they are going out of the bussing business. They also have property on the corner of Bernal and Sunol and want to sell part of that property. He said there are gross inconsistencies in the school system and urged the Commission and the publ ic to find out what is going on. Commissioner Hovingh commented that when the Commission looked at the North Sycamore plan that they recommended that part of the school district site be retained for an elementary school. THE PUBLIC HEARING was CLOSED. Chainman Mahern thanked the public for their input. Mr. Swift noted that written comments will be taken until February 11 and testimony tonight will be sl.ImI8rized. ALL coments will be responded to in 8 docLment caLLed the Final EIR which will include the Draft EIR. Public hearings will then be scheduled before the Planning Commission and City Council. COMMISSIDN'S COMMENTS: Commissioner Hovingh stated he felt the drainage problems revealed tonight should be thoroughly investigated and possibly some kind of mitigation should take place for those noted residences and for future development. He is concerned that the cost revenue analysis on page 77 should give an unequivocal excess of revenue over cost. He is concerned about potential grading on the slopes and thought there might be some inconsistencies on that in c~rison to other parts of town. As pointed out by some of the public, he thought there might be some inconsistencies regarding traffic between this Draft EIR and the North Sycamore Draft EIR. He said the numbers on the various intersections should be the same in both EIRls, but they are not. He called attention to pages 12.3 and 12.4. In conclusion, he thanked the audience for their conments. commissioner Michelotti said she appreciated the comments from the public. She is concerned about the water problems Ventana Hills residents are subject to, and commented that she experiences that in her home on the other side of town. She would like the water issue thoroughly investigated to find out where the water is coming from. She said she wants to preserve the beauty of Bernal Avenue and the surrounding hills. She is concerned about any open space grading and felt that real problems would be created in grading. She wants that issue further researched. She also wants more research done on possible traffic impacts should development take place. One issue not addressed tonight but one she wanted addressed at some point was the possible opening up of Mirador Drive. Chairman Mahern felt the Draft EIR did not adequately address the complete picture. She felt strongly that more should be included in the EIR about what effect this project has on precluding them from having other kinds of alternatives for the development of the South Sycamore area. She also felt the project could be premature because a General Plan review will be coming up soon and she would like to see how this project fits into the whole general plan for the area. She did not think the EIR gave a good reason for canceling the Williamson Act on the property and did not see any long term positive benefits of doing so. Mr. Swift said the EIR does not normally address the issues of the Williamson Act, but that this would be addressed in a staff report. Chairman Mahern also had concerns about grading on the proposed project. She favored the opening of Mirador Drive. She felt that water drainage problems definitely had to be addressed and a solution discovered. She thought that traffic inconsistencies between the two EIRls and visual impacts of further development should be further addressed. MIIIlITES PLANNING aMllSSIDII JAIIUAllY 23, 1991 PAGE 8 11 .