Quarry issue back before City Council
Staff Writer
BRISBANE Ñ The contested issue of whether to build
more than 180 housing units in a former quarry is scheduled to be back before
the City Council tonight after a two-month hiatus.
The council will specifically address questions and
concerns raised in September from the environmental impact report. At least one
member of the council, Cy Bologoff, said he expects it will be a long night and
could be carried over to another meeting.
ÒThe council has a lot of questions,Ó Bologoff said.
So does the public. One of the more vocal opponents
has been the nonprofit San Bruno Mountain Watch, which fights development on
the mountainside. Executive Director Philip Batchelder sent a city a 16-page
letter, written by his attorney, outlining questions raised during the Sept. 12
meeting.
He also predicts the meeting will require a sequel,
Batchelder said. The council has yet to approve the environmental report, and
action is not scheduled for tonightÕs meeting.
At issue are plans, years in the making, to build 129
single-family homes and 54 condominiums on land owned by California Rock and
Asphalt Inc. Twenty-eight of the units will be sold as affordable housing.
The ÒOne Quarry Road Residential ProjectÓ would entail
the discontinuation of quarry operations and reclamation of land. Along with
housing, the project calls for a soccer field, new walking trail, habitat
restoration and $7.2 million gift to the city for Òcommunity benefits.Ó
Bologoff said he still has not made up his mind
whether to approve quarry housing, heÕs just trying to get through the
environmental report. After the council approves that document, and a
subsequent construction report, the item will be placed before voters. That
action could happen as early as June.
Councilman-elect Clarke Conway said he opposes housing
in the quarry. Four years ago, while previously on the council, he proposed
that any quarry development require an official ballot vote. Conway said he
would be present at tonightÕs meeting to Òget up to speedÓ with the current
debate before replacing lame duck Councilmember Lee Panza later this month.
Steve Waldo, elected Nov. 8 to fill the remaining two
years of an empty seat, said during campaigning that he favors a citywide vote
and, if approved, wants Òreasonable assuranceÓ from developers regarding future
residentsÕ safety.
City staff point to one example of a quarry reclaimed
for housing: Monte VistaÕs 404 units being built at Leona Quarry in Oakland.
E-mail: clias@examiner.com