Brisbane City Council delays vote on quarry

By Christine Lias

Staff Writer, SF Examiner

BRISBANE — A contested City Council decision to convert an existing quarry on San Bruno Mountain into more than 180 residential units has been delayed for another two months.

Council members Monday night failed to act on an environmental impact report for the proposed development at 1 Quarry Road.

Community Development Director Bill Prince said the council had several unanswered questions and will revisit the issue Nov. 14.

"We don't consider it complete," Mayor Sepi Richardson said Tuesday of the environmental report.

The council did, however, receive an earful from concerned residents and environmental groups such as the San Bruno Mountain Watch, which has publicly opposed any development.

Among the many issues raised was the fate of the mission blue butterfly, which is classified as an endangered species and calls San Bruno Mountain its home. Ted Sayre, a geologist with Cotton, Shires & Associates consulting firm, discussed the threat of falling rocks and the potential damage a major earthquake would inflict upon future homes.

Jo Coffey of San Francisco, a member of San Bruno Mountain Watch, cited five land-use policies specified by the Association of Bay Area Governments. She said the proposed housing development will need infrastructure, lacks public transportation and will be too expensive to purchase.

"It will significantly change the character of Brisbane," Coffey told the council.

E-mail: clias@examiner.com