Redwood City Council Meeting - April 24, 2023

This hybrid meeting of the Redwood City Council, held on April 24, 2023, at 6:00 PM, included recognitions, public comments, consent calendar approvals, and a study session on the proposed Redwood Life project. The meeting lasted approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Approved routine items (7A-7K) by unanimous electronic vote, except item 7I which was pulled for discussion.
• Item 7I (contract with Libértiva LLC for DEI consultancy) was discussed: City Manager explained it would amplify staff efforts and provide training to all employees. Councilmember Howard requested updates. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment (non-agenda):
  • Rona Gundrum congratulated the city on its housing element and asked to pull item 7I for cost savings.
  • Ed Evans (NORCAL Carpenters) spoke in support of AB 2011, emphasizing prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements.
  • Erica Engel urged more aggressive transportation safety goals, citing cyclist fatalities.
  • Chris Robel questioned furniture expenditures and consultant costs.
  • Loriana Kostrop invited the community to a drone show at the Port on May 6th.
  • Adrian Brandt discussed train horn quiet zones, citing a study in Menlo Park.
  • Michael Ochoa (Carpenters Local 217) supported AB 2011 for housing and job creation.
  • Barb Valley opposed proposed retail gun sale restrictions near schools, urging more public meetings.
  • Gita Dev praised the housing element and raised sea level rise concerns.
• Redwood Life Project (Item 8A): Over 50 speakers; positions split.
  • Supporters: Included labor unions (Carpenters, Building Trades), housing advocates (Housing Leadership Council, Greenbelt Alliance), residents citing job creation, affordable housing benefits ($85M), sea-level rise protection, and child care investment. Several noted the project would create union jobs and is consistent with the general plan.
  • Opponents: Residents of Redwood Shores voiced concerns about traffic, 25-year construction, noise, toxic landfill disturbance, building heights (up to 8 stories), BSL-3 lab risks, inadequate emergency access, and inadequate community benefits. Some urged preserving the Westport Specific Plan.

Discussion Items

• Redwood Life Project Study Session: Staff presented the proposal: phased demolition of 967,000 sq ft of existing buildings and construction of 3.31 million sq ft of R&D/life sciences space, a 104-room hotel, 42 acres of open space, and public amenities. The project requires repeal of the Westport Specific Plan and adoption of a new Precise Plan. Community benefits include $85M for affordable housing (off-site), $2M for child care, $50M for sea-level rise improvements, and a TDM plan.
  • Councilmember questions focused on: BSL-3 lab regulations, safety of landfill construction, sea-level rise impacts, transportation management (TDM/TMA), affordable housing deployment, and community engagement.
  • Councilmembers expressed varied views; some supported initiating the CEQA process to study impacts, while others urged scaling back or more community input. No formal action was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved except 7I, which was also approved after discussion.
• Council directed staff to continue community engagement and consider modifying the Redwood Life proposal before potentially initiating a Precise Plan and EIR.
• Councilmember reports noted: Pride and Beautification Spring Cleanup (4,400 lbs trash collected), HART's 50th anniversary, and the Equity and Social Justice Subcommittee meeting.
• City Manager announced state approval of the Housing Element and Pro-Housing Designation, and encouraged applications for boards and commissions.
• Meeting adjourned in memory of Rocky Robinson, co-founder of PenTV.