B'game OKs PHS facility

The council unanimously approved the new Peninsula Humane Society Center for Compassion that will be housed in a 41,871-foot facility at the corner of 1450 Rollins Road and 20 Edwards Court. The overflowing room had many supporters of the project, but the opponents were heard and promised a legal fight. PHS appealed the approval granted by the Planning Commission last month in an effort to move along the process.

"The opponents actually made the project better. They brought up some legitimate issues that many of us may have been thinking but were afraid to ask,” said Councilman Russ Cohen. "They’ve done us a service. All of these issues have been addressed.”

Councilwoman Ann Keighran combed through conditions ensuring smell and noise would not be a nuisance and parking would be adequate.

For PHS, the goal was simply updating facilities to meet current needs.

"Our goal is to build healthy relationships with humans and animals, The Coyote Point facility was built 50 years ago, in a different time for a smaller mission and it isn’t that home. … Frankly, I can’t raise the millions of dollars to fix something we don’t own. … It’s truly time for us to have a home of our own,” said PHS/SPCA President Ken White.

The council received 244 e-mails in support and one in opposition prior to the meeting. A petition with 1,374 Burlingame residents and 200 businesses, 1,227 post cards and the names of 50 businesses neighboring the new location all in favor of the center were presented to the council Monday. Speakers were also overwhelmingly in favor of the new facility, many even donning blue and yellow PHS stickers.

Despite the high support, vocal opponents shared concerns and promises of lawsuits.

Nearby business owner Kevin Guibara alleged the proposed parking would not be sufficient, nor did it meet standards.

"Consider this, even though PHS is a wonderful organization that we all support, this building is being built in an industrial area and needs to be analyzed to the same standards the other buildings in this area are held to,” said Guibara.

Jim Knapp added that PHS did not examine a 42-acre parcel at 11650 San Mateo Road in Half Moon Bay, which he and others felt would be a more suitable fit. Not researching the site, he said, goes against California environmental law.

"I believe the decision has already been made. We just wanted it on the record. It will be litigated. This facility will not be built,” said Knapp.

The council decided Half Moon Bay was easily ruled out as an acceptable alternative since it would be difficult for some people to reach.

The proposed facility will be 35,931 square feet with a 5,940-square-foot netted aviary and wildlife area totally 41,871 square feet. At any one time, the facility would be allowed to house 200 domestic and 218 wild animals. A retractable roof to keep noise in during quieter hours will be closed from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. PHS will study and revisit the parking issue in one year, three years and five years out and amend the parking if needed.

Recently the county extended its contract with PHS for three years, giving some leeway for the construction schedule. Not all cities have approved this contract, however. White is still hopeful the facility can open as planned in July 2008.

The council will make the final vote on the plans on Monday, June 18.

At the same meeting, the council discussed the future of the Centennial Plaza — a gift to celebrate the 100th anniversary the city is currently celebrating. The idea of a living monument in the form of a ribbon timeline allowing community members to sponsor an event or a moment in history on the timeline, which would have the ability to grow over the next 25 to 100 years for important moments yet to occur, was also proposed.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.