Candidates call for grassroots effort

Questions covered Bay Meadows to Caltrans and one person even brought up the timely issue of earthquake preparedness. In all cases Planning Commissioner Brandt Grotte and incumbents Jan Epstein and Carole Groom told resident community involvement is the best way to keep major problems from getting out of hand. Candidate Ron Mahurin had fewer answers.

One of the candidates biggest issues this election will be the future of Bay Meadows.

The Bay Meadows Land Company wants to redevelop the aging 83.5-acre race track on Delaware Street near Hillsdale Boulevard into 1,250 residential units, 1.25 million square feet of office space and 150,000 square feet of retail space. The plan also calls for 15 acres of open space, including a 12-acre park and two medium-sized parks.

Epstein, Grotte and Groom called the process so far a success and pointed out a proposed traffic management program that would penalize developers if traffic exceeds a certain amount in the new development.

Mahurin admitted he hasn't read the traffic or environmental impact reports.

"That's my answer, I don't know the answer," Mahurin said.

Groom said traffic will be better with the development than no new buildings at all because the city will gain rail underpasses at 28th and 31st avenues. The underpasses will allow traffic to pass under the tracks instead of waiting for trains to pass.

The neighborhood was also concerned with the proposed $3 million improvements at nearby Harborview Park and whether they'll be included in the planning process.

The candidates encouraged the residents to get in contact with the Parks and Recreation Department as soon as possible and stay in touch.

Grotte even encouraged the residents to volunteer to help build the nearby park.

"It's actually fun and you'll have ownership of that park" and will feel more inclined to approach people who are trashing it, he told the crowd.

Residents also expressed disappointment with Caltrans and asked for the candidates help to improve Highway 101. The neighborhood is struggling to get a tall sound wall, but Caltrans recently sided with nearby businesses to build a lower wall.

Until the wall is built the neighborhood's residents are trying to get temporary barriers to prevent cars from running off the road and into nearby buildings. Attempts to get in contact with Caltrans over the last two months have warranted no response, one resident said.

Groom, Epstein and Grotte suggested the city's public works director get in contact with Caltrans and request to borrow the barriers on a long term basis.

"Hopefully we can begin to shame them into doing what they should have been doing all along," Grotte said.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.