Redwood City Regular City Council Meeting - October 28, 2024
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Redwood City Regular City Council Meeting - October 28, 2024
The Redwood City City Council held a regular meeting on October 28, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM. The meeting included roll call (Councilmember Howard absent), recusals from Mayor G and Councilmember Aiken on certain items, and concluded with a closed session. The council approved a consent calendar, held two public hearings for major development projects, and received council reports and city manager updates.
Consent Calendar
- Items 6A through 6H were approved unanimously (6-0):
- 6A: Amendment to sanitary sewage agreement with Town of Woodside.
- 6B: Final acceptance of emergency veterans sanitary sewer repairs.
- 6C: LAFCO application for water/sanitary services to 890 Upland Road.
- 6D: LAFCO application for sanitary service to 2835 Brewster Avenue.
- 6E: Parcel map for 557 East Bay Shore development.
- 6F: Agreement with Brain Fuse LLC for online homework help.
- 6G: Approval of October 14, 2024 minutes.
- 6H: Approval of claims and checks through November 4, 2024.
Public Comments & Testimony (General)
- Pamela Estes (Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation) announced the fifth call for art at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative community space; applications open through November 25 for San Mateo County residents.
- One emailed comment from Chris Robell urged the council to oppose Proposition 5, arguing it would lower the tax approval threshold and increase property taxes.
Public Hearing 8A: 847 Woodside Road Affordable Housing
Project Overview:
- A 72-unit affordable housing development (71 affordable units + 1 manager's unit) proposed by Eden Housing on land donated by Lane Partners.
- Unit mix: 25 studios, 5 one-bedroom, 22 two-bedroom, 20 three-bedroom.
- Affordability: 40 low-income, 31 very low-income, 1 manager unit.
- 57 parking spaces (79% ratio), 90 bike spaces, 54 feet tall.
- Designed to reduce bulk near single-family homes; includes a central courtyard, playground, and community room.
- Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval.
Public Comments:
- 5 in-person speakers and 22 emailed comments (27 total).
- Some speakers expressed concerns: traffic safety, parking, loading zone blocking bike lane, pedestrian safety on Woodside Road.
- Many speakers (including youth, housing advocates, and a former planning commissioner) strongly supported the project, citing the housing crisis, the need for affordable homes, and the developer's responsiveness to neighborhood feedback.
Council Discussion:
- Councilmember Martinez Samayos asked about loading zone (staff clarified it is for Recology trash pickup, not general deliveries; deliveries can use garage).
- She also questioned the no-net-loss analysis; staff confirmed the city has a 150% RHNA buffer and is on track for pro-housing designation.
- Councilmember Aguirre and Sterkin praised the project's responsiveness, the inclusion of deeply affordable units, and the financial feasibility after reducing from 86 to 72 units.
Key Outcomes:
- CEQA resolution adopted (4-0; Mayor G and Councilmember Aiken recused, Councilmember Howard absent).
- Project resolution approving architectural permit, vesting tentative map, density bonus, affordable housing plan, and land donation agreement adopted (4-0).
Public Hearing 8B: 1900 Broadway Development
Project Overview:
- A 256,205 sq ft mixed-use project: 238,300 sq ft office, 10,060 sq ft retail, 1,000 sq ft community room, 715 sq ft storage, and a 12,085 sq ft public plaza.
- Located at Broadway and Main Street, 7 stories, neoclassical design by Lane Partners.
- Includes acquisition of Spring Street (city-owned) and a portion of the parklet.
- Affordable housing contribution: land donation to Eden Housing for 847 Woodside (71 units) valued at $9M, exceeding the $5.7M fee requirement by $3.6M.
- Additional community benefits: public plaza (with ice rink potential), community room for city use, 250 public parking spaces on nights/weekends, $500,000 to nonprofits, $100,000 to job training, 28 replacement trees, and use of prevailing wage/union labor.
- Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval.
Public Comments:
- 16 in-person speakers and 3 emailed comments (19 total).
- Speakers included union representatives (sheet metal, sprinkler fitters, plumbers), nonprofit leaders (Peninsula College Fund, Redwood City Education Foundation, Job Train), residents, and business owners—all in strong support.
- Supporters highlighted good-paying union jobs, affordable housing, new public plaza, retail activation, community benefits, and the developer's collaboration with local nonprofits.
- No opposition was voiced during the public hearing.
Council Discussion:
- Councilmembers expressed strong support for the project, praising its design, community benefits, and the linkage to affordable housing.
- Councilmember Martinez Samayos asked about local vendor preference for retail; applicant indicated intent to seek local businesses.
- Confirmed the community room and storage are for city use (Parks and Rec) for 25 years, rent-free, and available to nonprofits.
- Councilmember Sterkin noted the union labor commitment and the importance of linking the two projects.
Key Outcomes:
- CEQA resolution adopted (4-0, same recusals/absence).
- All remaining resolutions (general plan amendment, downtown precise plan amendment, project resolution including permits, map, affordable housing documents, and development agreement ordinance) adopted (4-0).
Council Reports and City Manager Updates
- Council Reports:
- Councilmember Aiken reported on the Cal Cities conference, highlighting communication challenges.
- Councilmember Sterkin also attended, noting interest in community land trusts for homeownership.
- Mayor G attended Cal Cities sessions on AI and IRA funding; recognized staff for a climate resilience award.
- Vice Mayor Espinoza Garnica attended Palestine Day celebration with 10,000 attendees.
- Governance Subcommittee Report: Met October 21 to discuss legislative update and boards/commissions handbook; next meeting November 18.
- City Manager Updates:
- Second Harvest food bank needs donations; meat and turkey supplies are low.
- Dia de los Muertos exhibit at library through November 2.
- Sequoia Station/Caltrain area improvements: increased cleaning, CCTV, and Life Moves outreach.
Key Outcomes
- Approved consent calendar (6-0).
- Approved 847 Woodside Road affordable housing project (4-0 after recusals).
- Approved 1900 Broadway development with development agreement (4-0 after recusals).
- Council adjourned to closed session with no reportable actions.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good evening, everybody. Why don't we uh get started here tonight? I'd like to welcome everybody to our regular city council meeting of October 28th. It's hard to believe Friday is November. The year is rushing to a close. So thank you for taking some time out and joining us today here at City Council in Redwood City. We are continuing to offer in-person and remote options for our city council meetings. However, due to continued disruptions during public comment at open meetings throughout our region, we have modified our public comment procedures until further notice. The city welcomes public comment on topics within the city's subject matter jurisdiction, and this can be provided in person during the meeting or by email ahead of the meeting. At this time, we are temporarily suspending public comments by Zoom. We want to ensure that the city can continue to conduct the city's business in a manner that allows all residents to participate. We continue to re-evaluate our public comment procedures and will share updates as necessary. Before we begin tonight's meeting, I would like to take a moment to remind the community that the City of Redwood City stands united against hate. Uh, over the last week, and we hope that this is done and will not ever happen again in our city. If you witness or experience an incident like this in Redwood City, please contact the Rhodes City Police Department.org. That's W C A V S hate.org, or by calling 833 8 N-O-H-A-T-E. To learn more about how our broader community is working to build a sense of belonging for all, please attend the San Mateo County's Office of Racial and Social Justice virtual forum to receive updates on recent equity work and share any questions you have. The webinar will take place twice tomorrow, October 29th from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. And on Monday, November 4th from 10 o'clock to 11 o'clock a.m. Spanish interpretation is available. We are committed to working together with residents and partners to foster a community where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected. Redwood City will continue to stand against hate and hope and uphold the values of equity, compassion, and integrity. I encourage all of us to reflect these values in our actions and words, ensuring that our city remains a welcoming place for all. They are as follows. Public comment is taken in person during the meeting or in advance via email as outlined on the agenda. Comments that were received before 5 o'clock may be read aloud, time permitting, and in any case will be made part of the final meeting record. In-person speakers must turn in a speaker card to the city clerk at the day as to be recognized to speak. Please be sure to indicate the agenda item number you wish to speak on. In-person speakers will be called in the order in which speaker cards were turned in. If there is a high volume of public comment this evening, we may decrease the time allotted for each comment or limit the total time for public comment. This is to ensure that the city council can address agenda items in a timely manner and is allowed under the City Council's guided communications and business. In the event that this occurs, please feel free to send your full comments to the city council at public comment at redwoodcity.org so that we can see your comments and they will be part of the meeting record. With that, I'm going to turn it over to our city clerk to call the roll. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. We'll start with Councilmember Aquire. Here. Councilmember Aiken. Here. Councilmember Howard is absent this evening. Councilmember Martina Samayos. Here. Councilmember Sturkin. Here. Vice Mayor Espinosa Carnica. Here. Then Mayor G. Present. Thank you. Thank you, Jessica.
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