REDWOOD CITY CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR IRA RUSKIN
VICE MAYOR RICHARD S. CLAIRE
COUNCILMEMBER JIM
HARTNETT
COUNCILMEMBER DIANE HOWARD
COUNCILMEMBER JEFF IRA
COUNCILMEMBER COLLEEN M. JORDAN
COUNCILMEMBER BARBARA PIERCE
REGULAR MEETING
7:30 P.M.
November 27, 2000
The Redwood City Council, Architectural Review Committee, and Planning Commission, jointly held this public meeting for community members to come and give their comments regarding the proposed downtown retail-cinema project.1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:32 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Hartnett, Howard, Ira, Pierce, Vice Mayor Claire, Mayor Ruskin
Council Members Absent: Ira and Jordan (arrived at 7:40 p.m.)
Planning Commission Members Present: Foust, Giannini, McCoy, Paulson, Piulle and Chairperson Garcia
Planning Commission Members Absent: Vice Chairperson Moore
Architectural Review Committee Members Present: Gee and Spotorno
Architectural Review Committee Members Absent: Howard (arrived at 7:50 p.m.), Vice Chairperson Morrison and Chairperson Gilman
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - (by Council Member Diane Howard)
4. INVOCATION - Paula Dresden
5. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY - None
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Paula Dresden, coordinator for Bethlehem A.D., a living nativity recreating the town with 150 actors and 80 animals invited the community to the event. The dates are December 21-23, starting at 6:00 p.m. and everyone in line by 9:30 p.m. will get to go through the scene. The event is free and is located on Middlefield Road, one block south of Main Street and a star tracker will be in the sky at the location.
Paul Sanfilipo spoke about Tis the Season that occurs on Saturday, December 2, 2000 with 30 local schools and 700 students participating in the parade at 4:30, Christmas tree lighting, music, fireworks and entertainment. He invited all to attend the event.7:40 p.m. - Mayor Ruskin announced the record will show Council Member Jordan is present
7. CONSENT CALENDAR - None
8. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST - None
9. STAFF REPORTS - None
10. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None
11. STAFF REPORT AND PUBLIC DISCUSSION - (informational) Proposed Retail Cinema Project;
Mayor Ruskin explained the proposal as being given serious consideration by the Council because it has the potential to revitalize the Downtown. This is the first of two scheduled meetings to hear comments and questions, the second meeting to occur on December 4 and other meetings to be scheduled if necessary.
Mayor Ruskin further stated there would be a brief summary of the proposal including the following elements:
- Proposed project, including aesthetics and massing
- Traffic
- Parking
- State of the entertainment industry
- Economic and fiscal analysis
- What we would get/what we would give
Community Development Services Director Nelson explained the proposed project including the traffic and parking elements utilizing a PowerPoint presentation. Economic Consultant, Tim Kelly discussed the industry trends and Planning and Redevelopment Manager Church addressed economic and fiscal impacts.
Public Comment:
Darcy Anderson stated she likes the Downtown's current image with its sidewalk cafes, national recognized library, Canada College extension, U.C. Berkeley Campus, Historical Museum, Jazz Fridays and the housing. She further stated she wants Downtown to be a special place but is unsure why a 20-theatre megaplex is necessary. She stated that possibly an alternative location would be appropriate.
Clem Molony stated he was asked by the Chamber, Council Member and City leaders to look at the positives and negatives of the EIR, the objectives of the project, scale, transit opportunities, traffic, parking and housing alternatives. He stated that he is somewhat in favor of the project and that this project is specifically directed at Downtown revitalization. Mr. Molony stated there are some EIR issues: seating limitation should be in place to address the parking issue; parking garage access should be adequate; signal coordination at Jefferson and El Camino Real; and a lack of housing in the project.
Bob Baldwin stated the discouragement of small business is a concern and that possibly the decision should go before the voters.
George McKibbin stated the presentations were good, but that he did not agree with them. He continued and cited bankruptcy rates in the theatre industry as well as traffic and parking issues that currently exist and will get worse.
Dave Simpson explained the various traffic issues in the area and questioned how there would be no effect. He specifically referred to the large complex at the end of Seaport Boulevard as well as other buildings in the area and the need to require developers to consider the impacts of other building and complexes in the area.
Audrey Lehnen stated her opposition to the cinema complex in the Downtown. She stated her philosophical opposition to movies and concern of a potential unwanted element. Even though she felt the cinema would be successful in the short term, she expressed concerns about parking, overall congestion and air pollution. She stated one possible idea is housing with retail on the bottom floor.
Michael Hitchcock stated he agreed with the previous speakers regarding housing in the Downtown, but wanted to speak of the parking structure and the use of the valuable Downtown land. He proposed a scenario where developers submit bid proposals for development of the property and provide parking rather than an analysis where free parking is expected and provided by government.
Paul Dau stated a desire for more regulation over children entering "R" rated films. He suggested the "R" rated films be shown on one side of the complex and the others on the opposite side.
Eric Landstrom stated traffic should be addressed first and questioned why synchronization has not occurred as yet.
Catherine Fraser stated the need for vitality in the Downtown and she has a business that will be displaced with the project. She supported the retail/cinema project and stated she had visited the Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo complexes. She further stated she wanted to retain the charm and beauty of the area and would like to see a mix of small businesses and not necessarily the large chains. She stated that if the design changes to add housing that it should not be low income because those residents would not patronize the businesses in the area. She stated the Council should provide an alternative for displaced businesses.
Matt Matteson, Downtown business and property owner, supported the project. He stated many people working for him remain in the office waiting until the commute to the East Bay subsides. He felt they might prefer a movie and dinner to waiting in the office. He disagreed with the concept of people not eating and watching a movie and cited Santa Cruz as an example.
Alyn Beals, Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce Chairperson, stated the Chamber has been following the project and likes it very much. He stated at the last board meeting, the Chamber unanimously approved support for the project. He further stated that after 45 years, it is exactly what the Downtown needs, that it is high quality and exactly the remedy to revitalize the Downtown.
Kim Hatzopoulos expressed support for the project as a positive approach for the community. Although she is concerned about traffic, she stated the project could be completed in such a way that the merchants and businesses will come in and provide revitalization and a strong sense of community.
Rich Panelli stated he walked all the various blocks discussed in the plan and talked with all of the businesses in the area. He encouraged Council to go back and talk with the owners for input and modify the plan rather than using only the 25% of surveys returned.
Greg St. Claire, restaurateur, stated he came into the City banking on the project. He further stated the project would give people a reason to come and that the theatre business occurs opposite of the commute hours.
Kathi McLaughlin asked for a comparison of the number of seats and square footage to the current Century 12. She further asked if in the parking garage there would be considerations set up for train riders.
Petra Reed disagreed that a cinema in the Downtown would not improve the schools. She asked the architects whether the community should be viewing the project using the visuals so far presented. She stated the City should demand a scale model so people are able to see the view of the entire city. She further stated the community should ask more questions and that it is unfortunate that relevant information was never accessible in a large number. She expressed the need to study the impacts of traffic when the trains are operating.
Rudy Luca stated he opposes the project and is not satisfied with the parking and traffic reports. He suggested the Council consider that he represents many seniors and that maybe a vote should be taken on the issue.
Mark Fassett stated he is concerned with the size of the project and the traffic issues. He further stated that to rejuvenate the Downtown takes small restaurants and possibly a smaller movieplex.
Lucia Sanchez stated she is hoping to retain the small town atmosphere, encouraging a smaller movieplex and alternatives to the proposal.
Lucinda Dei Rossi stated she supports the project and that retail space would revitalize the area. She stated the area is saturated with office space and that a negotiated agreement with the developer should occur in order to maintain a balance of day and night time retail.
Roland Quiroz supported the project, but a smaller version for economics and esthetics. He urged preserving the charm of Redwood City. He also expressed concern that the closing of the Century 12 may encourage more auto dealerships.
Robert Nicholas opposed the project and to look at some other cities in the area. He stated he would not go to a movie and then to dinner.
Nita R. Spangler opposed the project and stated the business is risky at this time. She requested Winslow Street not be closed.
Daniela Gasparini spoke of the geographic disconnect between Redwood Shores and the rest of Redwood City. She stated the proposal would present a reason to come to the Downtown for restaurant and service opportunities. She further stated her trust in the professional representatives of the project and asked that the community get behind the project to see what it can bring to the Downtown.
Recess: 9:55 - 10:05 p.m.
Michael Bursak stated that the project is the developer's not the City's. He further stated that growth couldn't be stopped, only directed.
Ray Krug stated he had tried in vain to obtain information about the project and that many residents feel disenfranchised.
Kamran Mahrou supported the project as a businessowner in the Downtown.
Various professional representatives spoke and answered questions about the project.
Council, Planning Commission and Architectural Review Committee Members asked various questions.
M/S Claire/Hartnett to extend the meeting to 11:15 p.m. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
M/S Claire/Hartnett to extend the meeting to 11:30 p.m. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
12. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES REPORTS - None
13. CLOSED SESSION - None
14. ADJOURNMENT - 11:25 p.m.
M/S Hartnett/Howard to adjourn until the next special meeting of December 4, 2000 at 7:00 P.M. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia S. Howe, CMC
City Clerk
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