Some Neighbors Say No to Rezoning

Cory David has lived in South San Francisco for more than half a century, and recently he's made a prominent addition to his front lawn on Arroyo Drive. A large white wooden sign implores his neighbors to "Say No to 180 Ft Bldgs in Your Neighborhood," and invites them to a meeting this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at 33 Arroyo Drive.

That would be tonight's city council meeting, where the council will hold a public hearing concerning a plan to rezone 98 acres of land between El Camino Real and Mission Road that includes the Kaiser Medical Center site.

The rezoning would pave the way create a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly development in the area, but neighbors have protested that height allowances would bring in buildings that would dwarf their homes and additional cars would congest traffic.

More than anything, some neighbors are upset over their lack of sufficient knowledge of the impending projects.

“I’ve walked the neighborhood and I can’t find anybody who wants this,” said David, 57. “Even worse, there are more people who don’t even know what’s going on.”

David said that although this project has been in the works for three years, he barely got wind of it two months ago from his barber.

Since then, David has been on a mission to alert the community of a project that he regards as “irresponsible.”

“I walk my dog about 45 minutes every day, and I use it as my chance to talk to people,” David said. “I still run into people, longtime neighbors, who have no idea this is going on. People stop me and ask me about the sign on my front lawn. Nobody knows.”

At the May 25 city council meeting, building height restrictions in the range of 160 feet were in discussion, but Michael Lappin, city economic development coordinator, said that idea has since been nixed. Buildings will remain at a standard maximum of 80 feet. Anything over 80 feet will need special approval from city council, and 120 feet will represent the maximum special approval height.

Still, David, among other members of the community, is not a fan of the lofty structures.

“I have yet to meet anybody that is for this,” David said. “We’re not against development either, but we’re for responsible development.”

Stephen Vizzini, 55, is a resident of South City who champions new development, but said he's concerned that the proposal could potentially expand the city's population by over 4,000.

“One concern I have is 4,400 new people,” Vizzini said. “That’s a lot of people and that’s a lot of cars. I’m not sure if there has been a lot of thought for what that means for the people that already live here.” 

Linda Grech, 49, has been a resident of South San Francisco for over 40 years and her main concern, along with the height of the buildings, is overcrowding.

"The amount of new residents into the area that's proposed is going to be devastating to the traffic," Grech said. "Plus, the height of the buildings is going to obstruct the views."

However, city council maintains that 120 feet is an allotment rather than a plan set in stone.

In fact, Vice Mayor Richard Garbarino shares the sentiments of David in that he thinks the city should maintain a sense of consistency with other structures across the city.

Garbarino commented that he visited a number of the proposed building sites and was unable to visualize such tall structures having a place in South City. He explained that the height proposal is just that; a proposal.

“There is a height proposal of 80 to 120 feet,” Garbarino said. “Doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. But you have to have those allowances there so that if you want to build it, you can. That’s why it’s there.”

Garbarino also wants to make it a point to inform the community that the proposed development is nowhere near being implemented.

Initial proposals pointed closer to the year 2030 regarding implementation.

“We’re trying to develop a plan,” Garbarino said. “No one is saying anything is going to get built today, tomorrow, next week, next year, or in two years. We just have to have something on file for when the moment comes. So what we’re doing is just looking at a plan.”

The concern about lack of community participation still lingers over the project however, as several community members are more outraged due to lack of information.

Grech pointed to the example of West Orange Avenue, which was transformed from a two-way street into a one-way street just a few years back. 

Grech commented that not only were signs posted informing neighbors of the proposed alteration, a website in which community members could express their opinion was provided.

"I feel that this major project that's being presented by the city should be something that the residents should have a chance to vote on," Grech said. "Here, you change this street from a two-way street to a one-way street and let the people decide. Why aren't you presenting this major project of change as something the residents can vote on?"

David took Grech's idea a step further.

"In my opinion, the reason we have council meeting is because it's required," David said. "I don't necessarily think they want the input from the community, particularly in this circumstance."

There have been public hearings regarding the proposed project, as well as bulletin posts in public buildings and local television announcements, which according to city councilmember Karyl Matsumoto, should have the public notified by now.

“Obviously, people are concerned when there is change,” Matsumoto said. “After our last meeting, there were some that maintained that they hadn’t been notified, so we had a couple of public hearings so they’d have the opportunity to talk. And [Wednesday] night, they’ll have another opportunity before council to express their concerns.”

Both Matsumoto and Garbarino encourage the public to attend Wednesday’s meeting and future meetings, with the hope that the community will view the proposed project as a gateway into the city.

“I think we have an opportunity to create a new gateway to the city,” Garbarinos said. “Maybe we can have a new civic center, maybe a new library. Maybe some senior housing, some more affordable housing, some new retail; the opportunities and potential are there, we just have to be careful what we do with it.”

Tonight's city council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the community room of the Municipal Services Building at 33 Arroyo Drive.

Correction: An earlier version of this story identified Cory David as a former city elected official. He is not. Patch regrets the error.