In a 3-2 vote, Belmont City Council denied the application of Crystal Springs Uplands School (CSUS) to build a middle school campus on Davis Drive Tuesday night.
"We are very disappointed in the City Council's decision, but would like to thank the Belmont community for its overwhelming support of our school," said a representative of CSUS.
The singular motion that brought the project to an abrupt halt centered around the General Plan Amendment, which would have allowed the city to rezone the Davis Drive office park property that is currently designated as industrial, to commercial to accommodate the school campus.
Councilmembers Warden, Wozniak and Feierbach voted "yes" on the motion to deny the application; Councilmembers Leiberman and Braunstein voted "no" on the motion.
"We need more commercial property in our community, not more schools," said Councilmember Christine Wozniak.
The motion was made by Feierbach after more than two hours of discussion and public comment. Approximately 15 members addressed the council; most were in favor of the project.
Wozniak said that changing the city's General Plan to allow for the school to take the place of the former commercial buildings would make it easier to change again.
"I don't believe in changing the General Plan for one applicant, because when we make that change, we are changing the vision for our community," said Wozniak.
Mayor Dave Warden was also against changing the General Plan, but said he struggled with his decision.
"I want to do the right thing, but there's no right answer here. It's a land use issue, it's a planning issue. I have to draw on my knowledge of the community, and this comes down to putting a middle school in the middle of a business park," said Warden.
After nearly two-and-a-half hours of discussion and public comment Councilmember Feierbach made a motion.
"I move that we direct staff to prepare a resolution to deny the application for a General Plan amendment," said Feierbach, which essentially made any discussion of the other four project entitlements moot since the rezoning of the property was the cornerstone of the entire application.
Feierbach read from a prepared statement prior to making the motion, in which she outlined her reasoning for not supporting the application. Her reasons included loss of tax revenue and increased traffic on Ralston Avenue.
"I was enthusiastic about the project in the beginning, but then started looking at all of these other things," said Feierbach.
She added that the mailers sent out by CSUS and the discussions that took place on Belmont Patch also turned her away from the project.
"I couldn't recover from it," she said.
Councilmembers Warren Lieberman and David Braunstein each said they still had some reservations about the project, but were open to further discussion.
Lieberman said he thought the General Plan Amendment should be considered in close alignment with the project's Development Agreement, which outlines the legal and monetary aspects of the application. Part of the Development Agreement included a one time payment of $1 million to the city, and $250,000 per year to offset the loss of property taxes.
"The positive incremental revenue that would be generated from CSUS would allow us to take on projects we might not otherwise be able to do, such as turf the Belmont Sports Complex," said Lieberman.
And David Braunstein stressed the weight of the issue on council.
"You have no idea how seriously we take this issue and how many hours we've put into it. Your input is not lost on us," Braunstein said to the audience and the applicant.
"At the end of the day, I can see where it would make sense to allow CSUS to come to Belmont. With businesses on Davis Drive and CSUS, we can get into a win-win situation," added Braunstein.
Mayor Dave Warden said he had received more than 350 emails and dozens of phone calls about the project.
"At the end of the day, both sides have compelling reasons for being for or against the project. And I've tried to weigh them, but I have to justify my decision, and it is my decision. This has been a torturous process for me," said Warden.
Property taxes are set under Proposition 13 and other than annual increases capped at 2% as allowed by that proposition, have been fixed since 1978. I presume that the measures on next month's ballot to which you are referring are Propositions 30 and 38. These are not property taxes. These taxes go to the state and are controlled by Sacramento. The BRSSD, as a basic aid district, receives its funding from local property taxes and not from state money which will be raised by either of those propositions (i.e., BRSSD gets none of the money from those propositions). In fact, as a basic aid district, the BRSSD pays money back to the state; not vice versa. However, Sacramento cannot touch parcel taxes levied by the BRSSD, so that money stays local. All of this will be discussed in greater detail at tonight's 7 pm meeting at Fox. I again encourage people attending to become educated on the facts and engaged in the process.
I'm so grateful I'm retired from teaching. I would hate to have contact with a family with the type of values you express. I feel sorry for any children you may have that would be taught the kind of anger and hate you spew. I'm also grateful you don't live in my neighborhood.
Council members Warden, Wozniak and Feierbach voted to not allow a world class school to come to Belmont. Their no growth vote killed new jobs, tax revenue, and futher educational opportunities. The property that was to be developed has been vacant for over 3 years. Now no new jobs for construction workers,new materials to be purchased and teaching jobs. Too bad the council does not feel the pain of being unemployed. I suggest Belmont residents tie the council's free health care benefits and salary to job growth. If the neighbor Ralson middle school wanted to expand and use the property I bet the council would have approved the use. God forbid we allow a private company to hire new workers and teachers. We need some new council memebers in Belmont.
And the other two council members who voted against the project? Their responses have been non sequiturs.
You have no idea how much I gave unless you have hacked this site and actually know who I am. And you don't know how anyone contributed because school force's list is not accurate.
Are you aware of the empty builidng on El Camino where Blockbuster used to occupy? I spoke with an agent involved and he said that Chase Bank wanted to open a branch there but the city of Belmont was not very friendly. Then a paint store wanted to occupy the property and the city was again not very helpful. The next tenant interested was Panera Bread but according to the agent they city of Belmont denied the used based on parking. Wouldn't be great if the City of Belmont and its council was more business friendly?
Officials from the school, who ha sought a middle school on Davis Drive in Belmont, said they are “looking at every option and will leave no stone unturned.” We need new people voted on the Belmont City Council in 2013, who represent the needs of hardworking families in Belmont. I wish I had known this before I bought my house in Belmont. They do not represent hardworking families with children and are hurting our property values. Their lack of vision and leadership has hurt the BRSSD as well. Dave Warden, and Coralin Feierbach do not deserve to be re-elected in 2013.