Tuesday, September 1, 2015

A look into the soul of our new Quarry development team

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

From 2000? What's the official mourning period for frogs? Got anything more recent and relevant, Todd?

Kathy Meeh said...

What's the problem? The land is a quarry, limestone and greenstone, plus junk dirt from prior highway construction.
If there are any frogs that like that environment, they may be confused, move them-- relocate them to wasted economic space Mori Point, or the frog pond in Montara. After all, happiness for a frog is likely a frog pond, until a bad SF garter snake eats them. Right?

Anonymous said...

Why is this such hallowed ground? I don't favor housing for the quarry simply because it won't create the revenue this town needs, but what is wrong with a hotel, popular restaurants and shops? Or any similar project? Perfect fit for the Rockaway Business District. And, it could attract needed visitor serving commercial investment to Rockaway and that helps Pacifica. We desperately need the big revenue a nice hotel would bring in. TOT, jobs, etc. It's private property but a city can and should constructively make its needs and preferences known to the developer. Constructively! I'd hate to see the quarry wasted on something like Harmony @ 1 which is a project that does nothing for Pacifica's revenue or mainstream housing shortage.

todd bray said...

Disappointing numbers my Yessie, Rantanon posters. You have an actual convicted killer and destroyer of EHA and endangered species, and only the usual 2 people rally to his cause? This guy should be your hero! Disappointing.

Anonymous said...

3:10

Convicted killer? Please explain.

Anonymous said...

345 Frog killer. From the document Todd shared, John Zentner in 2000 while consulting on a housing development in Concord, CA captured and relocated a group of red-legged frogs from one pond to another without first obtaining a permit from the feds. Probably didn't ask the frogs either. Zentner's unpermitted action was considered a "take" of an endangered species. Some of the frogs died. Zentner pled guilty. Probably paid a fine. It was 15 years ago and if there was a repeat, I'm sure Todd would be sharing it with us.

Steve Sinai said...

Todd, the reason people aren't rallying to Zentner's defense is because they (we) don't feel it's a big deal. You sound like a Fox viewer who screams "Benghazi, Benghazi, Benghazi" and then wonders why nobody else gets all worked-up about it.

Anonymous said...

Todd

Far more environmental damage has occurred up at Harmony @ 1. Is the city requiring them to put out hay bails and do erosion prevention before winter starts? Does the city know the job site is 98% shut down? Does the city know the developers are out of money?

You better get on the phone with your buddy Taiten.

Anonymous said...

Wow, this sums it all up:

http://openaccess1.sanmateocourt.org/openaccess/civil/casereport.asp?casenumber=509097&casetype=CIV&courtcode=A

todd bray said...

Not defend Steve-o, but I do expect your crowd to worship him. He's done what all ye have talked about here: killing frogs, filling in ESHA... he's done it all. I was hoping to read some entertaining rant's of worship and admiration for his deeds, but I guess I'll move along.

Kathy Meeh said...

809, wow, really, financial problems (bankruptcy) for Tait Cowan? Explain how the Sonora Shores Harmony@1 project (a separate entity) is affected.

"Sonora Shores is "A Canadian Investment Group that specializes in Residential and Commercial Real Estate properties throughout Western Canada and United States. Sonora Shores offers a unique opportunity to enjoy California-coast lifestyle at Harmony At One in Pacifica, California."

Kathy Meeh said...

Todd 842, so sad. Some frogs must die for the cause it seems, others are relocated. The San Pedro bridge project had permits to relocate frogs.
Personally I don't "kill frogs", but my lab partner did in college, and we both dissected the frog. Complain to UC.

dead frogs tell no tales said...

Note to self, next time make jumbo out of the Frogs.

Anonymous said...

9:56 did a typo

That was supposed to read gumbo

Anonymous said...

Oh, well in that case, I'll have a bowl!

Anonymous said...

SFBARF may be eyeing what happens in the quarry with what they are doing in Lafayette.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/City-activists-brazen-new-battle-cry-Sue-the-6485289.php

One can look to Harmony @One as a candidate for target by this group and depending on what happens with the quarry, beach blvd and the property next to grocery outlet there could be additional ammo.

Honestly I think this is frivolous but kind of hope they win.

Anonymous said...

@8:27 -- Market is tilted in favour of existing home-owners and supply providers. There is no incentive to build affordable housing. The overall effect is prospective suppliers "time" the market to make the most profit. Usually by the way of co-incidental development during times of easy liquidity (low interest rates).

So home prices will always trend "upwards" and never reach wage/affordability/demand vs supply equilibrium.

On top of that add the creative zeal of SF Bay Area + Year round desirable weather which draws more prospective migrants which than has a compounded effect of higher demand.

For most people, if they haven't bought in during bust times and/or do not have a job that supports the cost of living, they are effectively priced out from affordability. This then imposes significant pressure on rental market and a need for rentee protection. Which in turn effects market pricing. And being that SF Bay Area is one of those rare regions with appealing economic opportunities/potential the demand for rental market I'd say is "healthy" and in favor of rental companies and owners.

Basically, housing in Bay Area is a mess. And I don't see this being resolved any time soon. In a healthy economy, rent should be equal to mortgage payment. Actually, since renters have very limited liability and very low risk, rents should be higher than mortgage payments. But in Bay Area, rents are cheaper than current market rate mortgages.

Its all topsy turvy!

Steve Sinai said...

The people blocking housing development need to acknowledge they're a large part of why housing is so expensive in the Bay Area. Of course, they'll blame greedy developers and landlords, instead.

Anonymous said...


"Sonora Shores is "A Canadian Investment Group that specializes in Residential and Commercial Real Estate properties throughout Western Canada and United States. Sonora Shores offers a unique opportunity to enjoy California-coast lifestyle at Harmony At One in Pacifica, California.

I dare you to find a project they finished. Either here or in Canada!

www.Pacifica.city said...

@SteveSinai, in 2012-13 in the SFBay area we've also seen the addition of 114,000 jobs but only 8,000 housing units which further reduces housing supply.

Please excuse the quality of the slide:

http://www.pacifica.city/images/sfoa_pia_082315.jpg

cashing out said...

I'm very grateful for the Pacifica NOBIES, NIMBIES and faux-ENVIRO'S.
They have forced the cost of real estate and rentals through the roof.
Thanks to their ignorance about the way markets work I am selling my home and local investments for record profits and moving away from this run-down, rusted-out hovel.
Gentrification is coming you idiots. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Circle of life, baby. Ain't it cool!

Anonymous said...

G'bye.

Anonymous said...

953 God bless those little golden hippies, every single one. You know, gentrification can be hard on those not of the gentry. Could be a good time to leave. Au revoir!

Anonymous said...

Cashing Out, 9:53am, September 5....
Continue to be amazed by the limited view of life. What power you give to "Pacifica NOBIES, NIMBIES and faux-ENVIRO's". Housing is through the roof throughout the bay area, state and elsewhere. Enjoy life elsewhere. Individuals that consider Pacifica to be a "run-down, rusted-out hovel" don't deserve to call this beautiful place home.

Anonymous said...

Oh yee blessed and anointed spokesperson of the NOBY tribe.
Thank you for your wisdom and sacred guidance. I shall heed your words and leave this little rusty hovel by the sea with pockets full of cash thanks to the work of your fellow tribes people who have forbidden construction and made even the 75 year old shacks that dot the landscape, beyond affordable.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I am not worthy. I am not worthy. I am not worthy.
The smartest people in town have directed their attention to me.
may the Gods of RIPTIDE have mercy on me.

Kathy Meeh said...

The relative housing cost per square foot has increased in every city in the bay area. Nothing special about this city, which is in the lower quadrant of the pack (as I recall). The Sunday print version of San Mateo Times lists these.

Anonymous said...

San Francisco housing prices are some of the highest in the nation. Pacifica housing prices are some of the lowest on the peninsula.

Anonymous said...

San Mateo County Times is now owned by the San Jose Mercury News. It doesn't even get delivered on Friday and Sunday by the Tribune.

Pathetic.

Anonymous said...

It's the NIMBYs fault!

Anonymous said...

If you bought at $49,500 and sell at $900k, shut your trap and say thank you on the way out of town. Would you have gotten more if this town had superstores, malls and housing density like other SMC cities? We'll never know. And I do mean we'll never know. Bitch away--as in complain
rather than See Ya Sistah!

Anonymous said...

How many affordable housing units will the quarry have?

Should we insist harmony one subdivide their huge plots?