As part of its community outreach regarding the proposed Saltworks development project, Redwood City announces a series of upcoming meetings and workshops, aimed at providing opportunities for the community learn about, comment on, and participate in the environmental review process.

First, to provide the community with an opportunity to become more familiar with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process, the City will host an informational meeting where staff and consultants will make presentations and be available to answer questions. The purpose of this meeting is to simplify the CEQA process, and help community members better understand CEQA and participate effectively in the review process.

• Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 7 pm – Understanding the Environmental Review Process
  Location: Redwood Room, Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Avenue
  The lead speaker for the September 22 meeting will be Whit Manley, author of “Guide to CEQA,” the authoritative sourcebook for CEQA information. This is an opportunity to gain an excellent introduction to CEQA. Brief presentations will also be given by Blake Lyon (Senior Planner, City of Redwood City), Andy Hauge, and Pat Collins (environmental review consultants).

Then, a series of Scoping Meetings will be held for the community to help identify the range of alternatives, environmental effects, methods of assessment, and mitigation measures to be analyzed in the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR). The Scoping Meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 7 pm – Scoping Meeting with the Planning Commission
  Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road
  This is an opportunity for the community to provide oral comments to the Planning Commission, which will become part of the official record as to what the community feels should be included in the EIR.
• Saturday, November 6, 2010, from 9 am to 1 pm – Scoping Meeting – Land Use & Housing
  Location: Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Avenue
  This meeting will be in an informal workshop format – displays and handouts, staff available to talk about the proposal and the process, and an opportunity for you to provide written comments about what should be included in the EIR. Since this workshop is in an informal and conversational format, and does not include a specific forum for oral comments, the City will only take written comments for the official record. There will be additional opportunities for oral comments to be submitted during the EIR public hearings.
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    • Tuesday, November 30, 2010, from 6:30 to 9 pm – Scoping Meeting – Water Supply, Wastewater, & Flooding
      Location: Sandpiper Community Center, 797 Redwood Shores Parkway
      This meeting will be in an informal workshop format, as described above, where the City will take written comments.

  Based on the input the City receives from the community at the first Scoping Meetings, additional informational Scoping Meetings will be held in early 2011. The City will not make a decision regarding the Saltworks project application until the environmental review process has been completed and the EIR has been certified. The City’s Saltworks website will continue to be updated with more details about the application process, required studies, and schedule for the review process. More information about the proposed Saltworks project is available at www.redwoodcity.org/saltworks

  Redwood City is committed to an open and transparent review of the proposed Saltworks project application. This commitment includes keeping the community informed, facilitating participation in the process, and supporting the community’s understanding of the proposed Project.

  Visit Redwood City’s website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, and local business. Subscribe to Redwood City’s electronic newsletter or other City documents at www.redwoodcity.org/egov