Thursday, January 29, 2009
TO: Foster City Council Members, Pam Frisella-Mayor; John Kiramis - Vice Mayor,
Art Kiesel - Council Member, Linda Koelling – Councilmember, Rick Wykoff
Councilmember; Jean Savaree, City Attorney
Foster City Planning Commissioners: Robert Werden, Chairman;
Noemi Avram, Commissioner; Charles Bronitsky, Commissioner;
Oliver "Ollie" Pattum, Commissioner; Ron Cox, Commissioner;
Lynette Dias, Consulting Planner
Foster City Community Development Department, Director Richard Marks
CC: various legal organizations, San Mateo County and State of CA agencies and offices, the Foster City Friends group,
and media
PLEASE RETAIN THIS LETTER FOR THE PERMANENT PUBLIC RECORDS
RE: MIRABELLA Environmental Impact Report; ~9 –ACRE SITE OF PUBLIC LAND at city center, Foster City, CA 94404
– CURRENTLY ZONED FOR EDUCATION; Project description: ~496 residences, senior only, in 8 towers reaching to
15 stories tall
The many business owners and residents of Foster City have repeatedly expressed deep concerns regarding the scope, size and nature of the private Mirabella project planned for the last of our public land, now zoned for education. Based on a collective consensus, the vast majority of people and affected agencies do not want this project placed in this location, and for solid reasons. At a time when our city’s schools are seriously overcrowded, with many more developments to come, it seems particularly inappropriate.
This new Mirabella / Parkview EIR itself, which shows major increases over the original size of the project, reiterates the inconsistent and serious discrepancies related to such usage of this land. All other buildings surrounding this project, now planned for 15 stories tall, reach a maximum of only four stories, with most buildings close by at one or two stories tall. The project would house, by far, the largest, highest density senior housing project, (with retail and amenities), ever built in a small water surrounded town, in the history of the United States, (verified by our research). Most disconcerting is the fact that Foster City has highly limited street or freeway access, no hospitals, with traffic already at maximum capacities during peak hours.
There are major safety issues regarding the size, density and height of the project being used for seniors as placed on Foster City’s high concentration of landfill built over water. None of the buildings will have foundation structures reaching into anything but dirt underneath. This means there are guaranteed to be serious problems over time. In the event the elevators are shut down, seniors could have serious trouble exiting the buildings.
Public land, and the many public city facilities surrounding this project are intended for public usage. Given that the Mirabella property is private and non-profit in nature, it will cost the city extensive dollars and loss of space without adequate, intended, or appropriate returns. In fact, the city does not have enough infrastructure resources of any kind needed to serve this project. High vacancy rates, traffic, impediments to light and over crowding can easily and collectively contribute to lowering local property values for everyone. This could end up strapping the city, it’s residents and business owners with major bonds, assessments, and tax increases to compensate, while returns diminish.
Should lack of funding or other problems result in this project dragging on for years, then surrounding properties will experience major and protracted construction repercussions such as noise, traffic, and more. The property itself cannot offer guarantees of completion, or even any returns for the city, especially given these difficult economic times. Therefore, locking in this level of project now, (without funding), makes no sense.
Among the more disconcerting issues of this EIR are the many errors and omissions contained, or not contained in the report. The traffic study does not indicate appropriate Levels of Service (LOS), potential numbers of trips generated or occupancy levels, nor does it accurately describe C/CAG requirements or long term transportation planning. We have not seen dollars estimated or time schedules for traffic improvements, nor do we know how these will be paid. There is no mention of transporting people in emergencies, such as for helicopter services, and no added staff requirements outlined. The EIR does not discuss the serious implications of rezoning public land, nor any compensation provided, nor does it discuss inconsistencies with our city’s Master and General Plans. There are major environmental issues to consider regarding added waste, food, pollution, electrical and gas power, loss of land vegetation and animal life, requirements for sanitation, water, sewage, and coordination with local agencies and use of resources.
There does not appear to have been any discussion regarding this new type of land usage as pertains to possible repercussions from the new type of business entity itself. The project appears to ask for a large payment upfront, without any type of specific ownership, (not a unit, not a PUD), then offers a lease (of space?) with indefinite food and housing services included, even after people have left this world. ???? What happens if the contracted services revert to relatives who cannot, or will not continue to pay? What is the future of the property as seniors depart their need for this service?
Many of us are seriously worried. After years of being established under the same people as officials, they still have not enacted any of the normal and customary limits that cities use to protect them from the devastations of over-development. We need careful planning and budgets, before making approvals. As a group, we strongly recommend that our city officials set such limits, as is their responsibility, for the health of our properties, businesses and our people.
We look for a complete response to the issues raised in this letter, PRIOR to EIR approvals, in writing, within the next 30 days.
Sincerely yours,
Linda Haskin for Foster City Friends (650-349-8022)
www.FosterCityFriends.org; FosterCityFriends@gmail.com
P.O. Box 8231, Foster City, CA 94404