This is a committee of our local League. We discuss issues and possible actions related to local issues that have relevance for global climate change, such as Salt-works, transportation, housing and land use. We tie these issues to California legislation on climate change and global warming, especially AB32 and SB375.
Patty Boyle and Evan Hughes are the co-chairs of this committee on Climate Change and Local Issues.
The next meeting of the committee will be on Thursday, January 5, 2012, from 2:00-4:00pm at Patty Boyle's.
The agenda for discussion covers:
- Saltworks Project (Redwood City)
- In-fill Housing (Redwood City, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, or other)
- Grand Boulevard Initiative (El Camino corridor in Menlo Park and entire County)
In general committee members want to study and discuss these issues for the purposes of voter education and possible action by our League based on League positions on environment, housing, transpor-tation, climate change, the Bay, etc. During the past year and continuing into next some of us have had special interest in the implementation of AB32 (California's Global Warming Solutions Act) and SB375. SB375 addresses regional planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are the result of auto-mobile and truck travel and transportation (VMT or vehicle miles travelled) and the role of local and regional land-use, transportation and housing decisions.
Posted on our League's website, http://www.lwvssmc.org, is the 12-page letter that we filed on March 31 to comment on the issues that we believe the EIR regarding Saltworks should address. On the Grand Boulevard Initiative, the committee's discussion will include principles of walkable communities, housing near transit, managed traffic, parking and safe crossings.
Anyone interested in these matters is invited to par-ticipate in this January 5th meeting, or later ones. If interested, call Patty (RSVP for the 5th):
Patty Boyle 854-4046
p.boyle@earthlink.net
The Scoping Report for the proposed Saltworks project is now available on the City's project information website: http://www.redwoodcity.org/phed/planning/saltworks/reports_documents.asp
Our local League formed a Climate Change and Local Issues Committee (CCLI) to address the issues involving the Saltworks Project in Redwood City. The Co-Chairs of the committee are Patty Boyle and Evan Hughes along with members Ken Broome P.E., Joanne Bruggeman, Linda Craig, Carole Grace, Ellen Hope, and Onnolee Trapp.
The CCLI committee:
- fully reviewed many documents on the Saltworks project
- attended the Redwood City scoping meetings
- co-sponsored meetings with ACIL and LWVBA NR/Water Committee with both the applicant and opponents presenting information
- met several times following the presentations and conducted detailed independent research
At this time, the League takes no position on the merits of the project. We believe that the EIR process should be completed before we express a position.
The CCLI committee strongly feels that the Saltworks Project has not only local but also regional impact, within the context of meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets, and nearby community concerns.
Recently, the CCLI committee submitted a compilation of their concerns to the Redwood City Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Department. Read the entire report, with details on each topic.
Major concerns identified by the CCLI committee:
Land Use
The Saltworks Proposal conflicts with Redwood City's overall development plan. Saltworks plans to build 12,000 housing units coupled with 1 million sq ft of commercial office space containing 4.400 employees and retail stores.
Infrastructure Improvements
Wetlands/tidal plains serve to protect the adjacent lands from flooding. Increased water volume, flood management may occur. There may be less opportunity for filtering leading to contamination.
"The site is almost entirely in a FEMA designated 100 year flood zone." This is contrary to the goals of the 2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy, which states that new developments within known high risk flood zones are to be avoided.
Housing
The Redwood City General Plan and Housing Plan approved April, 2010, assigns the highest priority for affordable rental housing. The Saltworks project as presented doesn't describe in detail what and where the 15% affordable housing will be. Rental vs. purchase, integrated within the 12,000 units or separate area? How will the Regional Housing needs requirement be met? (SB375)
Open Space Uses
Restoration Open Space
Transportation and Circulation
Reducing or replacing long distance commutes and other uses of motor vehicles are potential benefits of new high density housing and commercial/office development. The EIR should assess whether or not the project is likely to bring such benefits.
Conformity to Local and Regional Plans
Water and Flood Issues
Water Supply
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
© Copyright
League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County, California. All rights reserved.
![[LWV]](images/lwv76.gif)
