Archived News Release from 2010

For Immediate Release

Redwood City, CA - September 7, 2010 - Redwood City’s new Draft Downtown Precise Plan is a blueprint for what our Downtown will be: how we can continue creating an exciting, active, and livable Downtown with interesting building forms and attractive, inviting spaces. Now, with a great deal of community input, City staff has completed the Draft Downtown Precise Plan and it’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR), and is seeking the community’s help and involvement once again as the Plan moves toward finalization.

The Redwood City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on both documents on September 21, 2010 at 7 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. The Draft EIR is also available for public review until October 14, 2010. The draft New Downtown Precise Plan is available online at www.redwoodcity.org/preciseplan, at Redwood City public libraries, and at City Hall.

At this Public Hearing, after a brief overview presentation on the project, the Planning Commission will take public comment about the Plan and the Draft EIR. Comments on the Draft EIR will become part of the formal record and will be responded to as part of the Final EIR.

A previous Downtown Precise Plan was prepared and approved by the City in 2007. Subsequently, a lawsuit was filed by a downtown property owner claiming that the Plan’s EIR did not adequately address certain issues (future taller buildings casting shadows on other properties; the protection of historic structures). In 2009 the Court agreed, finding several aspects of the EIR to be legally inadequate. In the best interest of the community, rather than engage in further lengthy and expensive litigation, the City Council set aside the Plan and its EIR. The City has now drafted an improved New Downtown Precise Plan that addresses the Court’s concerns, along with an accompanying new EIR.

Visit Redwood City’s award-winning website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, City government, and local business. Subscribe to Redwood City’s newsletters or other City documents at www.redwoodcity.org/egov.

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Contacts:
Tom Passanisi
Principal Planner
(650) 780–7234

Dan Zack
Downtown Development Coordinator
650-780-7363