Mystery fliers target hospital plans

The flier has a post office box listed for a return address and no phone number or Web site. It appears, however, to be paid for by the Service Employees International Union, which represents hospital employees. The union has been at odds with Sutter Health, PAMF's parent company, for years. The union is also battling the remodel of Sutter-owned Mills-Peninsula in Burlingame.

PAMF is just beginning the public planning process and accusations in the flier misrepresent the facts, said Assistant City Manager Brian Moura.

"It's a little aggressive and, frankly, I think they've got some of the facts wrong," said Moura.

The flier referenced a "toxic site," which has been an arguing point of the union in the past, Moura said.

The 18.5-acre site at 301 Industrial Road, near Highway 101 and Holly Street is the former home to Communications and Power Industries/Eimac, an industrial manufacturer that produces microwave tubes. The site will have to go through an extensive environmental cleanup already approved by the water board, Moura said.

Aside from water board approval, PAMF also needs approval from the Federal Aviation Administration because the new building will be built close to the San Carlos Airport, Moura said.

The flier also claims that Sutter, a private company, is holding meetings behind closed doors. That is a comment that could be misleading to some, Moura said.

"By themselves, they can't make a decision. They need to get a whole host of approvals first," Moura said.

The flier encourages people to call the San Carlos City Council and sign an attached petition to the council. There have not been any complaints to the city yet, Moura said.

Moura obtained the flier from a city hall employee who found it on her car this weekend.

The hospital plans will have to undergo a lengthy environmental review process. A draft proposal of the findings will be available in July or August with a final draft scheduled to go before the Planning Commission early next year, Moura said.

There have some public meetings to gauge residents' concerns, but attendance was low, Moura said.

Meanwhile, two other groups have formed. One is in favor of the new hospital and one is aligning itself with Sequoia Hospital, which is planning to rebuild at its current location at Alameda de las Pulgas and Whipple Avenue.

"This is going to be a public process and certainly there will be strong feelings on both sides," Moura 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.