Item 2 - Christina Tang-Bernas
To the Planning Commission:
Thank you for your time and consideration. These comments are to address the citywide project
DEV2021-00223.
I will focus on where I’m located on Philadelphia St, in which the project proposes to increase
the Land Use Designation from “Low-Medium Density” to “Mid Density.”
1. My neighborhood currently has parking issues. When there are multiple families
living in single-family homes and with ADUs being built in many backyards
without the need to provide adequate parking (per Mrs. Campos-Kurtz), along
with apartment complexes that are able to increase the amount of units without
increasing parking spaces, there are already instances of cars parking in red zones
and even double-parked overnight. If the designation changes to “Mid Density,”
this likely means that greater numbers of multi-family apartments and other
similar housing will be built (instead of single-family homes), and possibly an
increase in ADUs as well. With no apparent city control over the amount of
parking designated for housing, it seems natural to forecast that parking issues
will only intensify. Therefore, I would like to know how the city can provide
guidance and regulation over parking, or does the city propose to increase housing
but leave residents to grapple with these parking issues themselves?
2. I have been to multiple town hall meetings and communicated with various city
services, such as Code Enforcement and the police. A common refrain that I hear
is that there are not enough personnel who are available to do the necessary work.
For example, when asking Code Enforcement why they are more reactive rather
than proactive (only focusing on complaints and not on other potential violations
that may exist right next door), I’ve been told that they do not have the personnel
needed to do so. Therefore, I would like to know that if the city is proposing on
increasing the population to meet state mandates, how will they be able to keep up
with the needs of the population in terms of city services?
3. According to the FPEIR report (No. 356), even after implementation of all
feasible mitigation measures, there will be significant impact on air quality,
greenhouse gas emissions, and noise in excess of recommended thresholds of
local, state, and federal standards due to this project. These impacts, per the
report, will not just be temporary during construction but may be permanent.
Focusing specifically on air quality and noise, this can lead to direct negative
impact on the health of residents, including children who can be more sensitive
than adults, especially if the plan is to create “a wide range of housing
opportunities in close proximity to existing and future employment centers and
transportation facilities.” Also, since air moves freely, bad air quality in one part
of the city will impact those in other parts of the city, including my neighborhood.
Therefore, I would like to know how the city plans to address these concerns.
I appreciate the planning commission’s work, and I hope they will address mine and other
residents’ concerns.
Thanks,
Christina Tang-Bernas