Dear SSV member -- The process of creating a permanent home for soccer in the Bay Area has a chance to take another step forward in the next two months, as the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Earthquakes stadium goes for approval before two key panels. The first date for your calendar is Wednesday, February 10, when the San Jose Planning Commission will hold a hearing on the final EIR for the stadium site. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers at San Jose City Hall, 201 E. Santa Clara St., and we're looking for a few good fans to make their presence known. We'd like an even bigger turnout on Tuesday, March 16. On that date, the San Jose City Council will hold their own vote on the EIR and we want to pack the chambers with fans in Earthquakes blue, as we've done before. This is a big step — approval of the EIR would be a key milestone towards stadium development — and it's important that the San Jose City Council is once again reminded that a new stadium would be a valuable asset for both the city and the entire Bay Area. We don't yet know the specific time for the meeting on this day, but please mark your calendars now. We'll provide more specifics as soon as they are available to us. Thanks, as always, for your support. Yours in soccer, The SSV Board of Directors
Damn. Can't make it, but anyone who can be there! This could be one of the last things that's been holding us up.
aside from that pesky money issue. Come on, if we really had the money ready to go, this wouldn't even be a thang. I guarantee this hasn't held a single thing up.
There are always NIMBYs lurking about (like that one old fart who likely complains at every meeting just to hear himself whine), but it would be amazing if any issues are found that would make upgrading that presently awful site appear to be a bad idea.
The 49ers environmental report requires them to work around any migratory bird nests that they find in Santa Clara. However, I think Airport West is a industrial wasteland. Any rats on the property shouldn't hold up construction. But, you never know. Also, environmental reports talk about what fans are exposed to. For example, what effect will the airport noise and jet exhaust have on 10,000 fans? The report will also examine the stadium's impact on traffic (101, 880, and El Camino). Getting anything built in the Bay Area is absurdly difficult. We'll need a lot of fan support at the meeting!!! I've always been a skeptic, but deep down I am rooting for a Quakes stadium.
Ha!! I want tracking devices on those geese so we can hunt down the ones from Toronto. Crazy. Lew had the best quote: “It is not easy getting projects done in California. In fact, I think if you came up with a cure for cancer in this state, someone would be there to oppose it.” That's not hyperbole. It's sad...but true.
From reading the DEIR it appeared that migratory birds (and nesting raptors) would not be an issue at Airport West, however, they did find more evidence at Great Oaks Place (I-star) and the parcel is also part of the DEIR. And you only have to work around nests during nesting season, (spring time) once the birds have fledged work can resume.
Am I the only person that thought we had all the approvals we needed from the city. I thought the only thing we were waiting for was Lew to loosen his grip on his checkbook. Can somebody let us know what other hurdles must be crossed before construction can begin?
I guess some of us knew that the DEIR had not been approved yet. I don't see it as much of a hurdle, it's more like a step in the process. From reading the DEIR there did not seem to be any deal-stopping issues with either parcel. I expect unanimous approval. Once the DEIR is approved I suspect the next step is getting the building permits.
Of course getting the $$$ is a bigger hurdle. But then it's been a few months since the FO has said anything about it so who knows.
Who knows? We are in the age that everything is relative and everyone has the right to scream and demand anything. Some may come up and demand the rats to be equal to the geese or whatever birds. My solution? Just give these rats season tickets next to where LA and other team's support group section. Add a churro or two.
When we have attended City Council meetings we parked in the garage below and then validated the parking stubs at a machine in the Council Chambers. I do not know if the validation machine and free parking is for City Planning Commission meetings or not. Anyone know?
Yes, I believe the same process applies. The planning commission meets in the city council chambers, so those of you who have been to any of the umpteen such meetings will be familiar with the setting.
I find this quite amusing. I don't think they'll find many nests on the blacktop parking lot site they will be building on. There may be a few in the creek right adjacent, but they won't be touching that I don't think.
We should NOT get complacent for the city council meeting on March 16. There were several Newhall neighborhood folks who spoke against the stadium before the planning commission last night. (They expressed concerns about light and noise emanating from the stadium.) I expect them to be even further mobilized for the city counsel session. As a counter-balance, we will need to show the city council -- again -- the force of our numbers as Quakes fans.