Every so often, circumstances present to government the potential
for a win-win, an opportunity to create something that benefits people
today as well as generations to come.
That might be a cliché, but models
do exist of successes and of squandered opportunities.
Building a world-class ballpark at China Basin — despite opposition
from one-third of March 1996 voters — launched the creation of a vibrant
neighborhood in San Francisco. That was a win.
In 1961, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors withdrew from the
then-proposed Bay Area-wide, electrified commuter rail system. That lack
of vision was a fail.
Right now, San Francisco, San Mateo County and Pacifica stand before a
collective choice to win or fail regarding Sharp Park Golf Course.
Opened in 1931, the 18-hole, par-72 public course was designed by Dr.
Alister MacKenzie, who created some of the most famous golf courses in
the world, including Cypress Point in Monterey and Green Hills in
Millbrae. The former surgeon also co-designed Augusta National Golf Club
in Augusta, Ga., home of the annual Masters tournament.
Sharp Park’s coastal location also is home to the San Francisco
garter snake and the California red-legged frog, both federally
protected species. Forces natural and man-made are threatening habitat
and breeding areas. By all appearances, Sharp Park is the latest
Flanders field between the stereotypes of rich, white, middle-aged
golfers and the ponytailed, sandals-and-socks set.
However, Sharp Park does not have to become the philosophical
moonscape of trench warfare, where slogans and sound bites obfuscate
reasoning. Sharp Park can be a place where golfers from all
socioeconomic strata successfully co-exist with sensitive coastal
species.
Actually, San Mateo County and Pacifica already have the framework of
a plan to do exactly that. The golf course can be reconfigured to
support the endangered snakes and threatened frogs, while recapturing
some of MacKenzie’s original layouts. Additionally, San Mateo County has
already identified private sources willing to underwrite most — if not
all — of this proposed peaceful co-existence.
The final act remains with San Francisco, which owns Sharp Park Golf
Course. There are those in San Francisco City Hall who would rather
eliminate the golf course and “give” Sharp Park in its entirety to the
National Park Service to oversee as part of the Golden Gate National
Recreation Area. However, the park service has stated that it will
accept the property only under very specific conditions — expensive
conditions; expenses that any budget-conscious local government should
carefully consider.
Meanwhile, San Mateo County is prepared to accept Sharp Park as it
exists today. The county will work with Pacifica and all appropriate
experts and stakeholders to ensure that Sharp Park is a sustainable
natural habitat and a San Mateo County-managed, affordable public golf
course.
There is no reason for Sharp Park’s future to include winners and
losers. Sharp Park is a rare opportunity for San Francisco, San Mateo
County and Pacifica to work together to create a win-win benefiting
people today and for generations to come.
Carole Groom is president and Adrienne J. Tissier is vice president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.
Friday, October 14, 2011
You are Invited to Hear Quentin Kopp Speak On Prop 13, "Three Strikes" Law and Gas Tax Spending at Pacifica Democrat's Mtg - on Saturday, Oct 15th
PROP 13........."THREE STRIKES LAW".......GAS TAX SPENDING
On Saturday, October 15th 2011, the Honorable Quentin L. Kopp will be the guest speaker at the monthly breakfast meeting of the Pacifica Democrats, scheduled to be held in the rear banquet room of the Sharp Park Golf Course Restaurant, located at Hwy 1 and Sharp Park Blvd. in Pacifica.
He will provide the local Democratic club with current and historical observations on Proposition 13, the "Three Strikes Law" and gasoline tax spending. His report will be based on over 50 years of politics and elected public office.
Kopp, a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, is a former member of both the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the California State Senate. He is also a retired San Mateo County Superior Court judge who, upon retirement from the San Mateo County Court system in January of 2004, was immediately accepted into the Assigned Judges Program of the California Judicial Council. By order of the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Judge Kopp has been assigned almost continuously to the San Mateo Superior Court since February of 2004, with intermittent assignments to the Los Angeles Superior Court, Humboldt Superior Court, Sonoma Superior Court, Napa Superior Court and Santa Cruz Superior Court.
His list of involvements and accomplishments is long and stellar. As an elected local and state legislator for several years, Judge Kopp has served as a leader on virtually every regional govermental policy-making body affecting the Bay Area including membership on the Boards of the following: Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Director of the Bay Area Rapid Tranist (BART), President of the County Supervisors Association of California (CSAC), Director of the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District and Chairman of the California High Speed Rail Authority.
Members of the general public are invited to attend. It is neither necessary to be a Democrat, nor a club member, to attend the Pacifica Democrats monthly breakfast meetings. All are welcome.
A full breakfast is provided for $12; continental - $6 and coffee only for $3. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. Seating is between 9:00 a.m. and 9: 30 a.m. Meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 11:30 a.m. If any questions, or to RSVP, please call Barbara Arietta, Club President at 415-246-0775 or email barietta@hotmail.com
Submitted by Barbara Arietta
Noisy neighbor in Vallemar
Heard of any other noise complaints about a car
stereo in Vallemar? I have been trying to pinpoint who it is so I can
help create awareness of our city's noise ordinance. It's not on my
block (Berendos @ Aurora Court) but as loud as it is one would suppose
they were right in my driveway. This has been going on for several
months.
Any ideas or thoughts on how to help spread the word and, hopefully, be able to resolve this on the lowest level?
Posted by Steve Sinai
SR1 Widening visual aid car/bus/bicycle
Dear all,
Attached is a great illustration for
highway widening alternatives. The photo compares how much space is
needed to transport 60 people by either car, bus or bicycle. Please use
this if you can when discussing the Calera Parkway project in Pacifica.
Todd Bray
yikes! mandatory tipping SF of 25%
October 13, 2011 12:00 AM
Not everyone is against the idea. Some have felt with the state of the nation’s economy is in, that 25% is not unreasonable. And some tip above the average already. Some went a step further to say if you want to reward service, you must start tipping the workers at fast food places as well. Most fast food workers earn minimum wage and rarely get tips.
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/10/13/san-francisco-restaurants-want-to-make-25-standard-tip-rate/
Submitted by Mark Stechbart
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Pacifican killed in San Bruno car crash
| October 13, 2011, 03:48 AM |
| A 32-year-old Pacifica man was killed when his car collided with another vehicle late Tuesday night at Skyline Boulevard and San Bruno Avenue, according to police. Police responded to the collision at about 11 p.m. and found Brian Mombay Sacdalan dead from injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the other vehicle, a 39-year-old Pacifica man, was discovered with moderate injuries and transported to San Francisco General Hospital, according to police. The San Bruno Police Department is continuing its investigation into the matter and anyone who witnessed the collision is encouraged to call police at (650) 616-7100. Submitted by Jim Alex |
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Harrisburg, Pa., Votes to File for Bankruptcy
Updated: October 12, 2011 | 4:41 p.m.
October 12, 2011 | 9:29 a.m.
Pennsylvania's capital city voted to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday as it faced a state takeover, according to media reports.
The City Council voted 4-3 to seek bankruptcy protection for Harrisburg, which has a debt burden five times its general-fund budget "because of an overhaul and expansion of a trash-to-energy incinerator that doesn’t generate enough revenue," Bloomberg Businessweek reported.The bankruptcy means the city will lose state aid, but that is better than the proposed recovery plans, Councilwoman Susan Brown-Wilson said, according to Bloomberg. But State Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, a Republican from Dauphin County, where Harrisburg is located, said the council's vote is against the law.
“I have been on the record as saying that bankruptcy is simply not an option. It’s illegal under Pennsylvania law, which prohibits third class cities from filing for bankruptcy,” Piccola said, according to PennLive.com.
Patty Kim, who voted against bankrupcy protection, said the city cannot afford the high cost of litigation that will likely ensue.
“The problem still exists that we still don’t have money, and we still haven’t moved one foot forward,” Kim said.
Pennsylvania's capital city voted to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday as it faced a state takeover, according to media reports.
The City Council voted 4-3 to seek bankruptcy protection for Harrisburg, which has a debt burden five times its general-fund budget "because of an overhaul and expansion of a trash-to-energy incinerator that doesn’t generate enough revenue," Bloomberg Businessweek reported.
The bankruptcy means the city will lose state aid, but that is better than the proposed recovery plans, Councilwoman Susan Brown-Wilson said, according to Bloomberg.
Read more...
Submitted by Jim Alex
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
La Mordida
I was driving by the former Manor Taco Bell today, and saw a sign announcing the coming of a restaurant called, "La Mordida." Given how long it takes restaurants to open in Pacifica, it should be ready sometime in 2014.
Hope it's as good as Taco Bell.
Posted by Steve "El Mordido" Sinai
Builders sought to construct housing at Bay Meadows
October 10, 2011, 03:30 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff
Developers are being sought to build the first round of housing for the
second phase of the Bay Meadows project in San Mateo that will
eventually see more than 1,100 units of rental and for-sale properties
on the 83-acre site.
A request for proposals by Wilson Meany Sullivan is seeking a builder
for 156 townhomes, just south of where a 12-acre community park will be
constructed, said Janice Thacher, project manager with WMS.
Construction should start in 2012, Thacher told a group of Parks
and Recreation commissioners during a tour of the site last week.
The commissioners visited the site to weigh in on the last
details of a large community park that will eventually be deeded to the
city to manage.
The high-density transit-oriented development, tucked between the
Hillsdale and Hayward Park Caltrain stations east of El Camino Real,
will also feature more than 715,000 square feet of office space and
93,000 square feet of space set aside for retail.
So far, WMS has leveled the former horse race track to construct
the beginning infrastructure for the project, including roads,
landscaping, lighting and a pond.
The parks segment of the project has been in the works since 2005
and the commission gave its last recommendations to WMS last week for a
12-acre park that will feature soccer and baseball fields.
The project will also feature a 1.5-acre neighborhood park and
1.5-acre linear park which will also one day be maintained by San Mateo.
The site of the bigger park is intended to serve as the
stormwater retention facility for the entire development and WMS has
constructed a pond adjacent to Saratoga Drive to handle excess water
during wet weather.
Park and Recreation commissioners had one last request for the developer, however, to build a bathroom facility at the park.
“Our only reservation was the lack of rest room facilities,” said Dave Morrison, chair of the commission.
The park will be used for youth and adult sports leagues, Morrison said.
The park will be built first as a feature element to help sell and complete the project, Morrison said.
Wetland gardens will also be a feature of the park as will picnic areas, bicycle racks and pedestrian pathways around the pond.
The community park will feature 41 parking stalls for visitors, Thacher said.
Submitted by Jim Alex
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Cool pics of USS Bonhomme Richard (I think) on the way to SF Fleet Week
bruce higgins, oceana high school security, took these pictures on wed. the carrier is designated CV6. notice the escort helicopters.
beautiful day. beautiful view. great pictures. i love pacifica!
View slideshow...
Submitted by Jim Wagner
"Dream Act" signed into California legislation, effective January, 2013
From Sacramento Bee/David Siders 10/9/11. "Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation Saturday allowing
undocumented immigrant college students access to public financial aid,
marking California's relatively liberal ground in a bitter row over
immigration nationwide.The California Dream Act allows undocumented students who came to the country before age 16 and attended California high schools access to public financial aid, including Cal Grants. Those students already are eligible for in-state tuition, and Brown in July signed a companion measure affording them access to private financial aid. "Going to college is a dream that promises intellectual excitement and creative thinking," Brown said in a prepared statement. "The Dream Act benefits us all by giving top students a chance to improve their lives and the lives of all of us."
Brown, a Democrat, supported the act during last year's gubernatorial campaign, and his signature was all but certain. He had negotiated amendments to the bill, Assembly Bill 131, to reduce costs, excluding graduates of technical and adult schools and delaying implementation until January 2013. But anticipation was high, and news spread among students and young people via Twitter and text message within minutes of Brown's announcement. "It's amazing," said Maria Gomez, 26, an illegal immigrant who moved with her family from Mexico when she was 8 and graduated with a master's degree in architecture from UCLA in June. "We're all ecstatic." The bill, by Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, was passed by lawmakers on partisan lines. Republicans said the measure would encourage illegal immigration, and they objected to the cost, estimated at $23 million to $40 million annually." Read more.
Posted by Kathy Meeh
Next Saturday, Oct 15th -Quentin Kopp Will Talk on Prop 13, "Three Strikes" Law and Gas Tax Spending at Pac Dem Breakfast Mtg
PROP 13........."THREE STRIKES LAW".......GAS TAX SPENDING
On next Saturday, October 15th 2011, the Honorable Quentin L. Kopp will be the guest speaker at the monthly breakfast meeting of the Pacifica Democrats, scheduled to be held in the rear banquet room of the Sharp Park Golf Course Restaurant, located at Hwy 1 and Sharp Park Blvd. in Pacifica.
He will provide the local Democratic club with current and historical observations on Proposition 13, the "Three Strikes Law" and gasoline tax spending. His report will be based on over 50 years of politics and elected public office.
Kopp, a graduate of Dartmouth University and Harvard Law School, is a former member of both the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the California State Senate. He is also a retired San Mateo County Superior Court judge who, upon retirement from the San Mateo County Court system in January of 2004, was immediately accepted into the Assigned Judges Program of the California Judicial Council. By order of the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Judge Kopp has been assigned almost continuously to the San Mateo Superior Court since February of 2004, with intermittent assignments to the Los Angeles Superior Court, Humboldt Superior Court, Sonoma Superior Court, Napa Superior Court and Santa Cruz Superior Court.
His list of involvements and accomplishments is long and stellar. As an elected local and state legislator for several years, Judge Kopp has served as a leader on virtually every regional govermental policy-making body affecting the Bay Area including membership on the Boards of the following: Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Director of the Bay Area Rapid Tranist (BART), President of the County Supervisors Association of California (CSAC), Director of the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District and Chairman of the California High Speed Rail Authority.
Members of the general public are invited to attend. It is neither necessary to be a Democrat, nor a club member, to attend the Pacifica Democrats monthly breakfast meetings. All are welcome.
A full breakfast is provided for $12; continental - $6 and coffee only for $3. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. Seating is between 9:00 a.m. and 9: 30 a.m. Meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 11:30 a.m. If any questions, or to RSVP, please call 415-246-0775 or email barietta@hotmail.com
Submitted by Barbara Arietta
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Recology wants a 5 percent rate increase for Pacifica garbage collection
By Lionel Emde
The
Pacifica city council will take up the latest demand for another price
increase in Pacifica’s sky-high garbage collection rates at a public
meeting on Monday, October 10, 2011. The current request for a 5 percent increase in January 2012 follows an 8 percent increase in rates in July 2011, and a 5 percent increase in August, 2010. At the time that Recology was awarded the no-bid contract in February 2010, Pacificans were already paying the highest rates for garbage collection in San Mateo County.
Residents
will be able to send in written protest letters if they wish, in
accordance with the settlement reached in Emde v. City of Pacifica. The
letters will be counted and tabulated as part of the public hearing on November 28, 2011 at Pacifica City Council chambers on Beach Blvd.
Recology also services Montara, Moss Beach,
and El Granada. Those communities pay half as much for garbage
collection as Pacifica. Those communities are served by the same company
running the same trucks out of the same location as that which serves
Pacifica. The question of why rates are so much lower there for similar
service has never been answered.
Half Moon Bay Councilman and Medical Cannabis on Wavelength
This month on Wavelength, PCT's award winning TV show, Ian interviews "Farmer" John Muller, Half Moon Bay City Councilman; and Mike Lause, a local medical cannabis activist.
You can watch those shows and many others anytime at http://vimeo.com/channels/wavelength. Or watch them on cable cannel 26 in Pacifica or cable 27 in Half Moon Bay, Mondays at 6:30 PM.
Submitted by Ian Butler
Friday, October 7, 2011
Volunteers Needed NOW to Stop the Assault on Golf!
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Volunteers Needed NOW to Stop the Assault on Golf!
SF Supervisor John Avalos has introduced legislation that would turn over control of Sharp Park
to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This would mean an end to
nearly 80 years of golf at Sharp Park! We must stop this legislation
in its tracks!! We must get the word out to all San Francisco-area
golfers that our sport in San Francisco is under attack. The
SFPGA is looking for volunteers who can spare just a couple hours on
the weekends to educate golfers and gather signatures to repel Sup.
Avalos’ attack on Sharp Park. If you are available, even for two hours, please send an email to our volunteer coordinator Andrew Brown at theSFPGA@gmail.com.
San Mateo County Supervisors support Sharp Park
We
are proud to announce that our neighbors to the south have joined our
fight! The president and vice president of the San Mateo County Board
of Supervisors, Carole Groom and Adrienne Tissier, have written an
excellent op-ed in the San Francisco Examiner that expresses San Mateo County’s interest in helping to preserve Sharp Park Golf Course. Read it all here: http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/2011/10/sharp-park-benefit-all
Closing Sharp Park Golf Course and expanding wetlands at Laguna Salada may increase threat of West Nile virus
In this video, Dr. Suzanne Valente, a long-time Pacifica
resident, expresses concern that destruction of the Sharp Park golf
course may result in an increased threat of West Nile virus. See the
full video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wevfg5gSzN4
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Submitted by Richard Harris
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Tournament to benefit Public Golf Alliance, Monday, Oct. 17, Hosted by Pacifica Chamber of Commerce at Sharp Park
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Tournament to benefit Public Golf Alliance, Monday, Oct. 17, Hosted by Pacifica Chamber of Commerce at Sharp Park
One of our strongest supporters, the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting a tournament at Sharp Park to benefit the SFPGA and help our fight. Deadline to register is next Tuesday, Oct. 11. Registration fee is $150/player, with proceeds going to help the SFPGA.
Monday October 17, 2011 Sharp Park Golf Course 11:00AM – Check-in Registration 12 NOON – Shotgun Start
The tournament includes lunch, dinner, drinks and prizes.
To register, please contact Debbie at 650-355-4122 or Debbie@pacificachamber.com
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Submitted by Richard Harris
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Comments issues with Internet Explorer
We seem to be having problems with comments being submitted through Internet Explorer. (Again.)
Hopefully blogger will work this out in a few days. In the meantime, you can try another browser, or send your comments to ssinai@yahoo.com or fixpacifica@gmail.com, and I'll post them for you.
Posted by Steve Sinai
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Calif. pot dispensaries told by feds to shut down
U.S. prosecutors send letters even though state law allows
SAN FRANCISCO — Federal
prosecutors have launched a crackdown on pot dispensaries in
California, warning the stores that they must shut down in 45 days or
face criminal charges and confiscation of their property even if they
are operating legally under the state's 15-year-old medical marijuana
law.
In an escalation of the ongoing conflict between the U.S. government
and the nation's burgeoning medical marijuana industry, California's s
four U.S. attorneys sent letters Wednesday and Thursday notifying at
least 16 pot shops or their landlords that they are violating federal
drug laws, even though medical marijuana is legal in California. The
attorneys are scheduled to announce their coordinated crackdown at a
Friday news conference.
Their offices refused to confirm the closure orders. The Associated
Press obtained copies of the letters that a prosecutor sent to 12 San
Diego dispensaries. They state that federal law "takes precedence over
state law and applies regardless of the particular uses for which a
dispensary is selling and distributing marijuana."
Posted by Steve Sinai
Sharp Park: The best solution to do nothing
Thursday, October 6, 2011
San Francisco -- Figuring out the right thing to do
with Sharp Park Golf Course is harder than making a 12-foot putt.
Downhill. With a 4-foot break.
Opinions are no problem. Everyone has one. There are people who
fervently believe the golf course should immediately be turned into a
wildlife refuge for the endangered California red-legged frog and San
Francisco garter snake. And there are those who believe, just as
passionately, that the snakes and frogs have been fine up until now, so
let us play golf.
There is another way.
Do nothing.
Don't spend $12 million or more to reinforce the seawall along the
ocean. In fact - and this is a bit of a shocker - let the seawall go. In
40 or 50 years, the relentless ocean will take down the wall, a beach
will reappear, and the lagoons in the course will rise and form a
freshwater barrier. Snakes and frogs will live in those lagoons, as they
have for eons.
In the meantime - play golf.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Story on Planning Commission Brown Act violations over on Patch
Just finished a three-part series on alleged Brown Act violations by the Planning Commission. Poll to come. If anyone wants to submit an opinion piece, please do.
1) http://pacifica.patch.com/articles/planning-commissioners-accused-of-breaking-public-meetings-law
Camden Swita
Editor, Pacifica Patchpacifica.patch.com
Twitter.com/PacificaPatchcamden@patch.com
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Highway 1 comments extended to October 22
Both Mark Stechbart and Barbara Arietta have sent notification that the Highway 1 commenting period will be extended to October 22.
Joe Hurley of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority says that only 70 comments have been received to date, and that most of them are useless, in that they are nothing more than "I like it" or "I don't like it." They are looking for specific comments about what you want, and why.
Additional observations from Marky-Mark:
formal notice maybe tomorrow.
A mixed message as only pacifica can create.
Standard 45 days expanded to 60 but council wants more time while shutting down a planning commission gone rogue. Most folks lobbying for more time have already commented either in writing or at a forum.
But this gives the chamber more time to assemble additional biz comments into the record.
go figure....
Posted by Steve Sinai
Fix the highway bottleneck - please submit your comments now
There has been an extension of the public comment process, 15 days to October 22, 2011. All comments are welcome by Caltrans, including being specific, and also indicating anything you think may not have been addressed in the in the DEIR/EA..
Unless there is a time extension, now is the last chance to send your support letter comments to Caltrans for the 1.3 mile Calera Creek bottleneck highway 1 widening. The additional two lanes will ease the feeder street traffic back-up at Fassler, Rockaway and Reina del Mar.
To: Yolanda Rivas, Branch Chief, Division of Environmental Planning & Engineering,
California Department of Transportation, District 4, Attn: Thomas Rosevear
111 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA 94623
Its easy: 1) copy the above address and past to your email, 2) add your contact information (name, address, phone and fax number), 3) add your message and email to: thomas_rosevear@dot.ca.gov." or fax 510-286-5600.
These comments must be received by 5pm,
Posted by Kathy Meeh
Monday, October 3, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Foster City takes second look at housing options
October 01, 2011, 04:13 AM Daily Journal staff report
If all goes according to plan, Foster City will have a developer picked by the middle of October to construct senior housing on the 15 acres of prime land the city owns adjacent to the Peninsula Jewish Community Center.
The council and public will hear for the second time this Monday the development proposals for the property from both Sares-Regis and a group called Foster City Community Partners, a consortium of several builders, including the nonprofit Mid-Peninsula Housing Corporation.
The council is expected to pick one of the two groups to develop the site at its Oct. 17 meeting and enter into a 60-day exclusive negotiating period thereafter.
A mixed-use senior housing complex called Mirabella was slated to be built on the land previously, but financing for the project fell apart last year and the city was forced to seek more proposals for the site once set aside for a high school.
Both development proposals were first presented to the City Council Sept. 6 before a packed council chambers.
“Village Square” is the vision of Sares-Regis in conjunction with Northern California Presbyterian Homes and Services, Mercy Housing and Bank of America/Merrill Lynch.
Sares-Regis wants to acquire the land outright rather than craft a lease agreement.
The Community Partners plan, which includes a retail town square, seeks to leverage existing assets like Leo J. Ryan Park and look at five projects that are complementary rather than one big development that might be more difficult to finance.
Read more...
Submitted by Jim Alex
If all goes according to plan, Foster City will have a developer picked by the middle of October to construct senior housing on the 15 acres of prime land the city owns adjacent to the Peninsula Jewish Community Center.
The council and public will hear for the second time this Monday the development proposals for the property from both Sares-Regis and a group called Foster City Community Partners, a consortium of several builders, including the nonprofit Mid-Peninsula Housing Corporation.
The council is expected to pick one of the two groups to develop the site at its Oct. 17 meeting and enter into a 60-day exclusive negotiating period thereafter.
A mixed-use senior housing complex called Mirabella was slated to be built on the land previously, but financing for the project fell apart last year and the city was forced to seek more proposals for the site once set aside for a high school.
Both development proposals were first presented to the City Council Sept. 6 before a packed council chambers.
“Village Square” is the vision of Sares-Regis in conjunction with Northern California Presbyterian Homes and Services, Mercy Housing and Bank of America/Merrill Lynch.
Sares-Regis wants to acquire the land outright rather than craft a lease agreement.
The Community Partners plan, which includes a retail town square, seeks to leverage existing assets like Leo J. Ryan Park and look at five projects that are complementary rather than one big development that might be more difficult to finance.
Read more...
Submitted by Jim Alex
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