Thank You!

We had a great turnout for last night’s meeting!

Over 80 people braved the rain and came out to the Laureola Park meeting room.

We had a review of the process needed to provide feedback for the Transit Village Apartment and Retail complex.  All feedback must be received by February 2nd and a meeting is planned on February 1st.  More details will be released in the next few weeks but if you have any time please go over the EIR and provide your feedback to the city.  The GESC board will do its best to go over the documents but we need your help and your feedback sent directly to the city!

We also had a presentation from Robert Weil on the 101 overpass alternatives and a presentation regarding the proposed School District attendance changes from Craig Baker.  I was impressed with both Mr. Weill’s presentation and Mr. Baker’s calm demeanor in discussing the very difficult issues facing the school board.  The parent’s comments were great and I think we all gained insights into the difficulties facing the district and our kids with the redistricting issues.

Mayor Randy Royce and councilmembers Matt Grocott and Andy Klein were in attendance and we appreciated that greatly! We also want to thank Al Savay, Brian Fitzpatrick from SamTrans and Jess Couch from Legacy Partners for showing as well.

With that said as a community we are still deeply skeptical that our voices will be heard and we are discouraged by the fact that the Transit Village EIR process is being fast-tracked.  I personally was deeply skeptical that moving Caltrain parking further away from the platform was somehow a benefit to the city and will definitely be engaging in a conversation with Brian Fitzpatrick to see if he can convince me otherwise.

1. 

   Heidi Crone says:

   January 27, 2010 at 5:34 pm

   Dear East San Carlos Community,
   According to their announcement at the Athletic Site Advisory Committee on January 12, the San Carlos Park & Rec department plans on closing multiple parks this year, as well as the Youth Center 10 months of the year. (See Bob Bredel’s post at http://www.sancarlosblog.com/archives/856 )

   The city’s priority should be to increase accessibility to all our parks, not shut them down in favor of building one synthetic field at Highlands Park that will be scheduled out to the highest bidders and closed to all others.

   Synthetic at Highlands is an over $2 million investment in a short-term solution lasting only 8 years. (See “Staff Report,” Fiscal Implications, at http://www.epackets.net/cache/2/ddnu3p45hhllqc2×3kq3bu45/1027303101272010045940946.PDF ) When you figure in the replacement costs every 8 years, the cost is nearly double that.

   Our police and fire service is stretched to the breaking point. Essential services are being cut. How can we commit that kind of money, in today’s budget crisis, to one project that robs all other park and recreation needs? It is time to redirect the Measure G and PAMF funds to be used to keep all our parks open and functional. This may require a ballot measure.

   San Carlos’ budget crisis is severe, and we must let the city know where our priorities are. If City Council votes to select a synthetic turf installer at the February 8 Council meeting, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to change course once they enter into a contract.

   We invite you to join us this Friday evening, January 29, at 7pm for a brief planning meeting. We encourage you to inform your friends and neighbors about this urgent issue, and the need to press the City Council through letters and most importantly, speaking at the Council Meeting February 8.
   Thank you,
   Heidi
   SaveSanCarlosParks@yahoo.com
2. 

   Ben Fuller says:

   January 17, 2010 at 11:58 pm

   Hi, tremendous write-up, Webmaster Dimitri! It was really helpful to see everyone come out the other day. What I think we should also add is the following: Folks were shaking their head in absolute disbelief about the Transit Village. I really feel for all the people in the Shadowlands of Old County Road. Nothing is changing and these guys are unapologetic. It seems like the Transit Village guys have been making the same dog and pony show for years and that their job is to downplay the terrible as much as possible in order to garner the max gain for their company. I guess the question is whether we can make any impact on this or if it just gets rubber stamped to the detriment of all…