City officials have moved forward with plans to buy nearly 22 acres of potential parkland from Nurserymen's Exchange, but questions about the purchase are popping up like so many flowers after a rain.
At the City Council meeting Sept. 21, speaker after speaker peppered councilmembers with concerns largely focused on the council's procedure for acquiring the land. Some said the deal seemed sudden and secret. They wanted assurance that increased traffic in the Cypress Cove neighborhood would be addressed if the land becomes a park.
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Councilwoman Marina Fraser, who later cast the sole vote against the purchase, said that before making such an important and expensive move, she wanted assurance that the city would be able to turn the land into active parkland, complete with long-sought-after baseball and soccer fields.
Above all, she did not want to spend $3.1 million if there was any possibility the land would end up as open space, she said.
"We're borrowing $3.1 million that POST (Peninsula Open Space Trust) has so generously offered to us, but are we buying $3.1 million worth of open space?" Fraser asked.
She suggested that before the city move forward it conduct a biological analysis of potential on-site wetlands to ensure no problems down the road. Fraser referenced the Wavecrest Village project, which ground to a halt after state and federal agencies learned that a red-legged frog was discovered on the riparian habitat.
U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Department of Fish and Game are still determining whether that project should be altered to further protect the species.
Fraser's suggestion was ignored. Instead the council voted 3-1 to approve the purchase, which will be financed by a three-year loan from POST. The POST board of directors still must approve the purchase before the deal is sealed.
A city report obtained by the Review shows that Green Environment, Inc., a consulting firm contracted by the city, performed a variety of scientific studies on the soil and groundwater as part of the due diligence process prior to purchase.
The firm found low-levels of pesticides, pollutant metals and petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil, but the levels were minimal, not requiring remedial action, according to the report.
"As far as I know we got a pretty clean bill of health," said Ferreria.
Some bacteria was found in the irrigation pond and Pilarcitos Creek, making them unsafe even for infrequent bathing, according to EPA standards. Asbestos was found in buildings on the property.
Christopher Wellise of Green Environment, said the city was diligent in following up on recommendations in the report.
"The city seemed to be very conservative and implemented all of the recommendations," he said.
At the council meeting several residents commented that they were excited at the prospect of finally having a community park, offering to help the city to shape the project.
But they were also concerned and critical.
They said they felt blindsided by the city's purchase and feared the effects of increased traffic and noise associated with creating a park at the end of Stone Pine Road, the main road through the neighborhood.
One person wanted to know how the city planned to address parking issues.
Overall, most were troubled that so much had transpired behind closed doors.
"Frankly, I'm a little appalled that we're at this stage - you're going to vote tonight to spend three million bucks - and we just find out about it in the newspaper," said Ernie Hoyer, whose house looks out over the property.
Numerous residents echoed the concern.
Steven Stauss said he wished residents were "involved in the early discussions," adding that he tried to learn more about the deal but made little headway with city officials.
"I don't know if that was official city policy to be closed mouth and spring it on us," he said.
Former mayor Naomi Patridge wanted to know why the city needed to vote on the purchase at the same meeting it was introduced to the public.
"This is really a fast action to put us $3 million in the hole in one meeting, which is tonight, and you're acting on it already," she said.
City Attorney Adam Lindgren said Nurserymen's Exchange insisted on the secrecy. It was not the city's choice, he said.
"Nurserymen's, throughtout the transaction, was very concerned that by getting involved in the transaction it could end up in some way damaging the reputation of the property," he said.
Mayor Mike Ferreira said the city's hands were tied to tell people more about the deal.
Planning Director Jack Liebster said the time for community input still lies in the future - that once the property is purchased there will be ample opportunities for public participation in determining its future uses.
"I was very impressed with what I heard from the public tonight," he said, "and if this is something that can go forward it will be something of enduring value."
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