Tag Archives: Planning Commission

Redwood City Planning Commission Hearing

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The following information was shared by the City of Redwood City regarding a Planning Commission Hearing to be held on June 20, 2023 at 6PM. Chief among topics relevant to Redwood Shores residents will be discussion of the Redwood LIFE office project at 800-3400 Bridge Parkway. The council will discuss proposals to replace the existing Westport Specific Plan in favor of a new Precise Plan Study. which would allow redevelopment of the area.

More information about this proposal can be found on the Redwood City website:

https://www.redwoodcity.org/city-hall/current-projects/development-projects?id=113

Those who have taken interest in this City Planning project or would like more information are encourage to attend or remotely stream this hearing. Continue reading →

Proposed Bay Plan Amendments

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Like many of you, Redwood City is concerned with the long-term impacts of climate change, including sea level rise and its potential effect on our community. No matter what its underlying causes, potential sea level rise (estimated by some at one-to-two feet by 2050) must be addressed in a coordinated strategy with local and regional governments, other involved agencies, the business community, and the public.

The Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) is a California State Commission formed by the legislature in 1965, whose mission is the protection, enhancement, and responsible use of the San Francisco Bay, and the preparation of a plan for the long-term use of the Bay – the San Francisco Bay Plan (Bay Plan). BCDC’s objectives are accomplished through its authority and efforts in the areas of Planning, Dredging and Sediment Management, Permits, and Enforcement. You can learn more about BCDC at www.bcdc.ca.gov

Over the last couple of years, BCDC has been developing proposed amendments to the Bay Plan to address sea level rise. Redwood City, along with other cities and stakeholder groups such as the Bay Planning Coalition, the Bay Area Council, and others feel that the proposed amendments are burdened with a number of issues of great concern.

In summary, there is concern with:

  1. The unnecessary rush by BCDC to approve the amended Bay Plan/new regulations
  2. Vague language, undefined prohibitions and mandates, unclear authority for application, and ambiguous standards
  3. A lack of incorporation of comments by groups such as the Bay Planning Coalition, the Bay Area Council, and others, into the draft policies
  4. Apparent over-reaching of BCDC authority, in the draft policies, and related potential legislative expansion of BCDC authority and its impacts on local control over local development
  5. Lack of input from local government and the public
  6. Lack of a balanced approach between the State regulatory environment, local control, and economic development.

These issues prompted Redwood City and other stakeholders to urge BCDC to slow down the process of approving those amendments, extend the public comment hearing and outreach period, and fully take into consideration the issues raised by local government. Fortunately, BCDC has consented to this request.

The timeframe for BCDC to take action on the proposed amendments to the Bay Plan is unclear, but they have said that they will be holding a number of special meetings and public workshops over the next few months, and everyone is encouraged to participate in this dialog.

As a stakeholder in this issue, Redwood City will continue to be involved and vigilant of the process, offer substantial input, and keep our community informed, especially about upcoming opportunities for the community to be involved and make comment.

— Jeff Ira,, Mayor, Redwood City

Public Hearing on Downtown Precise Plan — Final Approval

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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, after a great deal of community discussion, input, and comment, the Draft Downtown Precise Plan and its draft Final Environmental Impact Report are complete, and the City Council will now consider the Planning Commission’s two recommendations: certification of the Precise Plan’s Final Environmental Impact Report, and, 2) final approval of the Downtown Precise Plan.

The City Council will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, January 24, 2011, at City Hall (1017 Middlefield Road) beginning at 7 pm, to consider those two recommendations.

Many members of the Redwood City community have been involved with the development of Redwood City’s Downtown Precise Plan. Last fall, the Plan’s Draft EIR went through a 45-day public circulation period (from September 21, 2010 thru November 5, 2010), and the Planning Commission held public hearings in September and October to take comments, then held a public hearing in December to finalize its recommendations to the Council.

Interested members of the community are invited to participate in this final step in the Downtown Precise Plan process, and join the discussion as the City Council considers final adoption. More information about the Downtown Precise Plan is online at www.redwoodcity.org/preciseplan.

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 electronic newsletter or other City documents at www.redwoodcity.org/egov.

Saltworks Project Planning Meeting

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On Tuesday, August 17, at 7 pm, an overview of the environmental review process for the proposed Saltworks Project will be presented at the Redwood City Planning Commission meeting, and then on August 23 at 7 pm, the City Council of Redwood City will host the same presentation.

These are informational meetings, and are not intended to take public comment regarding the Saltworks Project EIR (those meetings are coming up this fall and winter).

Also on August 23, in addition to the environmental review process presentation the Council will consider amendments to contracts with consultants that will sustain the environmental review and public meetings/information process (with costs to be reimbursed by the developer).

During both meetings City staff and City consultants will explain the proposed environmental review process and outline the opportunities for public involvement and participation. In brief, the presentations will explain that the remainder of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 will be utilized for a detailed Scoping Process for the Saltworks Project EIR. “Scoping” refers to the CEQA process whereby the lead agency (in this case the City of Redwood City) invites the public, including other local, state, and federal agencies to share their views regarding what project-related information and analyses they feel should be included in the EIR.

Please plan on attending one or both of these important meetings so you can learn about the upcoming environmental review process, and how you can be involved.