This is an excellent argument for restraint on the part of the city council. I hope this issue doesn't slip in under the radar during the summer. It's a terrible proposal. The city can do better. It has so many development increases underway, like removing Harv's Car Wash and the Jiffy Lube and replacing with high density housing. This one is the absolute worst thing being proposed.

I will fight this proposal. Both Rose market and Peets contribute positively to the character of the city. There are much better places to build high-density housing, for example along El Camino where so many businesses are shutting down.

Come to Rose Market Monday night at 6:30 and we can fight this together!!

One of the reasons all these business are vacating El Camino at this point is that their rents are being raised astronomically. In this case, Rose Market has a long term lease which should provide them some protection. However, this development effort is an end run around honoring Rose Market's lease rate. I certainly agree, some sanity is needed in this city.

I posted this comment in the "Protest of Castro Street development" thread, but I think it is relevant for this thread as well.

Link to thread:

Web Link

There is so much WRONG with this development proposal as it stands currently that it's hard to list everything.

1) The developers propose to replace nearly 26,000SF of retail space with just 6,000SF or retail space...bad for the merchants, bad for the residents of Mountain View. Rose Market alone is 4,000 SF, not including the outdoor seating space.

2) THREE middle school children were stuck by cars this past school year in close proximity to Graham Middle School, the increased traffic and congestion that would be present with the addition of 200 apartments will only make it more dangerous for all pedestrians in the area.

3) The traffic congestion at the corner of Castro Street and El Camino Real is already BAD. It routinely takes me 2-3 light cycles to make the left turn from Northbound El Camino on to Castro Street, heading towards Graham middle School -- between say the hours of 7AM and 8PM.

4) This is a FOUR story PLUS rooftop deck development proposal that will back up (within 20 yards) of single family homes and small two story apartment units. It will TOWER over the small quiet neighborhood streets of Park, Sonia and Harpster, resulting in a loss of privacy, increased noise, congested streets and a generally diminished quality of life in the neighborhood compared to what it is presently.

I am not opposed to re-development per se, but it needs to be SMART re-development that should enhance the neighborhood, not destroy it. And, as this development proposal currently stands, it will destroy this neighborhood...it's merchants, it's residents and pedestrians alike.

City Council needs to take a breath here and LISTEN to the residents...the same people who elect them to serve.

Please, if you can, come to the community meeting @6:30 Monday evening in front of Rose Market to learn more and voice your opinion on this matter!