Op-Ed: Redwood City Planning Commission Gets it Right

Hats off to the Redwood City Planning Commission, under the leadership of Chair Ernie Schmidt, in making the right decision on the proposed building of the California Way  Water Storage Tank, Pump Station and Supply Lines in Emerald Hills. The tank capacity of 750,000 gallons measuring 23’ high by 80’ in diameter was to be at grade level in the middle of the neighborhood. At issue at the meeting on October 1, was the approval of a Mitigated Negative Impact study, conducted by consultants hired by RWC, and a subsequent recommendation to the RWC city council.

In the two and a half  hour hearing, the Planning Commission members listened attentively to testimony from residents living in the affected neighborhood and extensively questioned the consultants. Their 7- 0 decision was to not approve the study and send the project back to the RWC Community Development Department to investigate/analyze additional options. Among the options are submersion of tank, insert into hillside, and move it away from the very prominent roadside location. The decision was based on the Commission’s expressed concern that, although the study met the letter of the law, it neglected to properly address the aesthetic impact such a large and out-of-scale project would have on the neighborhood of single family homes.

The Commission stated their mission is to “Be a Good Neighbor” and their decision reflects that commitment. This is a great example of participatory democracy. Perhaps Washington can learn something from Redwood City! 

Kate Parnes,

On Behalf of Concerned Residents of California Way Water Tank Project

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