The tenants who live aboard boats at Pete's Harbor in Redwood
City were trying to figure out Wednesday what to do next, after their
attempt to halt a big development that would force them to move was
turned down by the city's
Planning Commission.
The commission voted unanimously late Tuesday to approve a 411-unit
condominium development at the landmark marina. Unless they win an
appeal to the City Council or a possible public vote, more than 50
people who live in floating homes will have to clear out by mid-January.
The commissioners listened sympathetically at a public hearing to the
pleas of the residents of Pete's Harbor, who said the condo development
would mean the end of a pleasant way of life that has been part of the
Redwood City bayfront for more than 50 years. They have received
eviction notices effective Jan. 15.
But in the end, the planning
board determined that the proposed development meets Redwood City
zoning requirements and the requirements of the city's general plan. The
vote was 7-0.
"There was not one of the commissioners who
didn't feel sympathetic" to the problems of the tenants who live in the
marina, said
Ernie Schmidt, the commission's chairman.
But he said the commission only has the authority to consider planning
matters. "We have a very defined role," Schmidt said, "and these other
matters are not in our purview."
In sometimes emotional
testimony, the tenants argued that Pete's Harbor offered rare affordable
living space, and that they have no other place to go.
Alison Madden,
a spokeswoman for the tenants, said the group would appeal the decision
to the City Council. All Planning Commission decisions may be appealed
within 15 days.
If the council allows the development, she said,
the tenants may decide to circulate a petition to require a public vote
on the issue. A much larger development proposal - for a 1,900-unit
condo complex - was turned down by Redwood City voters in 2004.
Pete's Harbor was constructed by
Pete Uccelli in 1958. Uccelli died in 2005 and his widow, Paula, now owns the harbor. The development would be built by
Pauls Corp. of Denver.
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