Redwood City is committed to an open and transparent review of the proposed Saltworks Project application, and this commitment includes keeping you informed, facilitating participation in the process, and supporting the community’s understanding of the proposed project. The environmental review process established by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a critical component of the City’s review of the proposal and supports the City’s commitment to a robust program of community involvement.

You are invited and encouraged to attend the first of several Open House EIR Scoping Meetings, which is this Saturday.

This first meeting will focus on Land Use and Housing, and will be held:

This Saturday, November 6th

9 am to 1 pm

Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Ave, Redwood City.

Childcare will be provided.

The purpose of the Open House EIR Scoping Meetings is to provide a forum where experts are available to discuss information directly with the public and explain the roles and responsibilities of their agency or City Department. Members of the public can speak directly to agency representatives, the project applicant, and experts in specific subject areas. Due to the more informal “open house” nature of these workshops, oral comments will not be accepted at the Open House meetings. Instead, community members have the opportunity to submit written scoping comments to be considered by the City in preparing the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Representatives will be on hand from the City’s Environmental Review Team for the proposed Saltworks project, the project applicant, the Port of Redwood City, Redwood City’s Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Department, its Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, and Public Safety.

The Scoping Meetings allow the public to help identify the range of alternatives, environmental effects, methods of assessment, and mitigation measures to be analyzed in the EIR.

Following this Saturday’s Open House meeting, the next meeting and topic will be:

Open House Scoping Meeting focused on Water Supply, Wastewater, & Flooding

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 from 6:30 to 9 pm.

Sandpiper Community Center, 797 Redwood Shores Parkway, Redwood City.

(Again, written comments only – due to the “open house” nature of this workshop.)

Based on the input the City receives from the community at the first Scoping Meetings, additional informational Scoping Meetings will be scheduled 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 will continue to update its Saltworks website with more details about the application process, required studies, and schedule for the review process. For more information about the proposed Saltworks project, visit: www.redwoodcity.org/saltworks.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday morning.

Thanks,

— Malcolm Smith

— Public Communications Manager