Brisbane Council Approves Northeast Ridge Development Over Objections of Citizens. Endangered Species Theatened.

On February 16, the Brisbane City Council voted unanimously to approve the Northeast Ridge EIR addendum, allowing Brookfield Homes to complete their development on San Bruno Mountain. It was a hard verdict for Mountain Watch and the community to swallow.

Most of the council members would not vote for this project were it new, and most of them cited a belief that if they did NOT approve the project, Brookfield would be allowed to build out their 1989 plan.  Brookfield's attorneys had threatened to pursue this course, and all agreed that the 2007 plan is preferable.

We believe that the 1989 plan could not be built.  In 1989, PG&E had estimated this to cost $2,500,000 - $10,000,000 in today's dollars, and we know from cost over runs on most construction projects recently, that construction costs have outstripped inflation. New 'kill permits" would have to be issued, along with environmental review for moving the towers, and bringing utilities to the site. All these factors make building on Callippe Hill prohibitive: we believe the 2007 plan represents a solution to Brookfield's problems on Callippe Hill, and not an altruistic gesture.

In the end, all of our experience on the mountain, our experts, our well-researched comments, and the emotional pleas for the council to represent the people's point of view, were not enough to overcome the powers that be -- the US Fish and Wildlife Service, San Mateo County, Brisbane City Staff, and Brookfield itself. 

The council took as experts only those people who argued in favor of the project, which included the city staff.  The city staff invited other like-minded experts to speak. They spoke first, they spoke last, and the council asked questions only of them.  Personally, I find such a format inadequate for making fair and intelligent decisions.  It is, perhaps, one reason why so few citizens get involved with council meetings, and why so many are frustrated with government.

Thanks to all of you who have supported us in this all-out effort to modify this project.  You sent hundreds of emails and letters, packed the Brisbane City Council chambers, thousands of you read our documentation and watched video presentations on our website and on YouTube, and you helped to bring attention to-in the press and the general environmental community-an issue that another community might have overlooked.

The fight is not yet over. San Bruno Mountain Watch's ongoing legal challenge against San Mateo County's "Negative Declaration" for the project makes it possible that project modifications might still be made.  So we are still committed to finding a win-win option that benefits the environment and the community.

Please keep in mind that advocacy is only one way that we pursue our mission of preserving San Bruno Mountain in perpetuity.  We also have active programs in stewardship, education, and land conservation, and we welcome your participation.  Check our website for the public calendar of activities.

Remember, San Bruno Mountain Watch isn't just an organization that has a membership, it's a state of mind, one that puts the earth and the preservation of this special place among the top of the priorities in our lives.  Again, we thank you for your support and hope to see you on the mountain. 

Ken McIntire for San Bruno Mountain Watch