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Chairman of the Board's Message

Jeff Gee, Chairman Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce

In early March, a coalition consisting of four environmental groups turned into Redwood City a proposed ballot initiative for the November election.
The initiative, titled ³Open Space Vote², would require any potential development or changes to properties currently designated as ³Open Space² be voted on by the public. A two-thirds vote would be required to allow any changes to proceed, or put another way, only a one-third vote would be required to stop a project.

Last week, the City Attorney¹s office released the title and summary of the initiative, and as required by law, his office is responsible for providing an impartial and true understanding of the intent of the initiative. The formal title on this initiative is now ³A City Charter Amendment Requiring a Two-Thirds Vote of City Voters to Change the General Plan Designation or Zoning Ordinance Uses for Certain Lands in the City.²

This proposed amendment has far-reaching ramifications for Redwood City and covers more than just the properties along the bay front. The areas included in this initiative include parks throughout Redwood City, a number of areas in Redwood Shores including the lagoon, the Port of Redwood City, and a number of unimproved properties.

Land use planning is very complicated and includes general plan designations, zoning, special use districts, precise plans and other planning elements. This initiative ignores these complications and makes land use planning sound very simple, when it is not. Decisions about land use include study, community input, public hearings, compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and many other laws and regulations.
Ultimately, final decisions are in the hands of our elected officials ­as they should be.

This charter amendment will impact how Redwood City is governed and operates, and changes the roles and responsibilities of city staff, the Planning Commission and the City Council. Due to the impacts of this initiative, the issue is scheduled for all of our committee meetings in April, and will be on the agenda at our April Board meeting.

It is very important to our members, our community and to the quality of life in Redwood City that each of us be educated and informed on this initiative, and to share this knowledge with colleagues, friends and neighbors.

Over the next few weeks, you will be asked to sign a petition to have this initiative on the November ballot. Please take the time to ask the hard questions and be informed before you sign your name.

Jeff Gee
Chairman

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