From: Jacob Patterson
To: City Clerk
Cc: Whippy, Isaac
Subject: Public Comment -- 9/23/24 CC Mtg., Item No. 8A, Noyo Center Swap Date: Friday, September 20, 2024 7:32:57 PM
City Council,
I am very concerned about some of the details in the memo from the Noyo Center, although it appears to be internally inconsistent about some significant aspects. In short, I am concerned about this proposed land swap and feel an easement across the City property is a better solution for this situation. I am specifically concerned about the land adjacent to, and in some diagrams including, the northern portion of the historic air strip. In no scenario should this land be transferred to the Noyo Center absent retaining an easement to ensure that the historic air strip remains operational both for historic integrity but also for future public safety events and emergencies. Airstrips for small fixed wing planes require at least 150 feet of clearance.
The air strip itself isn't that wide but the clearance needs to be at least 150 feet wide. In no scenario should anything related to the Noyo Center facility or the proposed land swap interfere with maintaining or restoring the air strips integrity or functionality. If the City chooses to pursue a land swap that would lead to interfering with that, this project will require a full EIR, which could be very expensive for the Noyo Center. Absent a proper EIR, I would expect litigation to result from this proposed land swap and future project that is a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the land swap itself, depending on how definitive the details are.
I support the Noyo Center and their facility but we need to consider the public safety and historic resource impacts of the particular details of their proposal, concepts, and plans. I am concerned that their plans may cause irreparable damage to these important community resources and encourage you to consider that as you evaluate the proposed land swap, which might be problematic as a result.
Regards,
--Jacob