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Health & Fitness

Gateway development appeal

At last night's City Council meeting, the major issue was the TimeShare-Gateway appeal.  The Planning Commission had previously denied York Lee's project as being too massive and having too intense a usage.  Mr. Lee appealed that decision last night.

What struck me the most, was not the 15 people who spoke against approving the appeal (with 1 wanting it granted) but the attitude that several of the Council members exhibited.  There was obvious disdain being exhibited by Councilman Chuck Page to both residents addressing the Council as well as a highly regarded traffic/parking expert.  Page not only was dismissive of the data presented by Mr. Pang but towards Saratoga residents as well.  Page even had the audacity to bully the 3 Planning Commission members who were urging the Council to return the project to the Commission for further work.  It should be remembered, that the City Council appoints the Planning Commission members!

Page was joined by Councilmembers Manny Capello and Howard Miller who appeared to readily accept the data presented by the developer's traffic expert but equally ready to dismiss the data presented by traffic expert Gaylord Pang. Restore Saratoga hired expert Gaylord Pang to review and analyze the situation primarily because issues of insufficient parking, traffic safety, circulation and flow seemed to be missing from the developer's report.  In particular, Page went out of his way to ask Pang to repeat who hired him (after he had already stated) and how much he was being paid; it is obvious that Page has great contempt for anyone connected with Restore Saratoga. 

Restore Saratoga is comprised of concerned volunteer residents  who wish to see responsible development that maintains the semi-rural and unique character of our City. It is important to note that the vast majority of speakers at previous Planning Commission and City Council meetings have NOT been associated with Restore Saratoga; however, they too have the goal of  preserving what we love best about Saratoga.

My sense is that except for Mayor Jill Hunter, the other Councilmembers want to approve the TimeShare project as is.  It is my conviction that the Planning Commission is correct; it is too massive has too intense a usage and has not adequately addressed the parking and traffic congestion issues.

Stay tuned, as this is not yet over.  Also, please stay informed and engaged.


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