From: Wendy Lara
To: PR Commission Mailbox; citycouncil@cityofsnammateo,org; Andrea Chow Subject: Solar Carports at Beresford Park: Objections
Date: Sunday, September 1, 2024 4:44:06 PM
I live on Parkview Way in San Mateo, across the street from Beresford Park where the potential solar carport panels will be installed. I'm not able to object in person because I am a senior citizen and don't drive. I'm having my daughter send this email on my behalf.
I have a beautiful view of the park and object te having solar carport panels installed in the parking lot facing Parkview Way and adjacent to the community garden. This is a residential area. It will be an eye sore and can cause more traffic congestion on our street. I am in favor of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our community but feel the solar carport panel location should be placed in a different area of the park.
I would greatly appreciation you look at an alternative location and not install the solar carport panels in the proposed area.
Kind regards,
Wendy Lara on behalf of Tomoe Obata
From: Russell Sims
To: Andrea Chow
Subject: Solar Carport Installation @ Beresford Park
Date: Monday, August 12, 2024 4:16:28 PM
Hi Andrea,
My name is Russell Sims - and I live at (directly across from the Beresford Community Garden. Thanks for leaving information in my mailbox today re: the upcoming solar carport installation in 2025.
I'm a big supporter of local renewable energy. However, based on the photo rendering of the project, I'm deeply concerned that the powerful reflection of the sun off the solar panels will be blinding to the North facing side of my house (facing Beresford community garden and the upcoming project). Of particular concern is my daughter's bedroom windows on the 2nd story of our home, which directly face the proposed solar panel location. My primary concern is of course our tamily's health. My secondary concern is the potential loss of our home's value with the main view out of our home's windows being marred by large solar panel installations.
Can you please share more information regarding:
1) what is the height of the solar carport? How high off the ground will the solar panels be? 2) at what angles will the panels be tilted? Will be they tilted in the same direction as in the photo rendering?
3) Will there be tall trees/shrubs planted in the area between the edge of the community garden and green dumpsters (in photo rendering) to help reduce the glare and unsightliness of tho solar carports to neighbors on 28th avenue - and especially neighbors with 2nd stories? Thank you,
Russell
From: Charles Lopuck
To: PR Commission Mailbox; City Council (San Mateo); Andrea Chow; Adam Loraine Subject: Solar at Beresford
Date: Thursday, August 15, 2024 4:30:12 PM
I oppose solar parking garage at beresford gardens and basketball court. There ugly! Try doing something for the people of San Mateo and not what city hall wants like fixing our roads there terrible go look at 29 street.
Sent from my iPhone
From: richard yim
To: Andrea Chow
Subject: Solar Carport Installation Project- Baresford Fark Date: Thursday, August 15, 2024 5:06:00 PM
Hi Andrea,
As a tax paying San Mateo resident, I feel strongly that this is a wasteful project. This money can be better spent on projects that will directly benefit the residents not cars. For examples, more tennis courts can be enjoyed by residents or more pickleball courts.
If the city thinks it has too much cash, perhaps the residents would welcome a refund on property tax.
I am writing to express the shared feelings of my neighbors.
Sincerely,
Richard Yim
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
August 19, 2024
City of San Mateo
City Manager's Office
Attn.: Andrea Chow
330 W. 20* Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94403
Re: Opposition to Proposal for Solar Carports at Beresford Park Community Garden/Basketball Court parking lot
Dear Andrea,
Thank you for this opportunity to voice our opposition to the proposal for solar carports at our beloved Beresford Park. We have resided across the street from Beresford Park for over 20 years and agree that Beresford Park is exactly as nicknamed, the Jewel of San Mateo.
While the City of San Mateo understandably is interested in meeting it's Climate Action Plan goals, using the small neighborhood parking lot at Bereford Park Community Garden/Basketball Court to do so in unmerited. The parking lot has approximately 20 parking spaces and is surrounded by nature. It is not a parking lot that makes sense for this type of project. Your letter suggests that the project is to generate energy and provide shade. These are superficial reasons. The main reason is likely for the City of San Mateo to claim they have constructed something to meet their climate goals.
Our opposition to the proposal is based on a number of factors including the following:
• Small gain for big loss: Solar carports will change the feeling of open space at the park and will produce little energy. The maintenance of the solar carports will be costly and constant. Solar carports will be not only be aesthetically unappealing but will have a negative effect on the heritage ambiance at Bereford Park. • Detriment to wildlife: Beresford Park is unique in being home to migratory birds.
The surrounding creek, Eucalyptus trees, and natural grass at the park, as well as it's location on the Peninsula, make the park a natural spot for migratory birds. A solar carport will create confusion for the migratory birds and possibly be a deadly obstacle for them as per the Migratory Bird Act.
• Liability to the City: Beresford Park has high winds as well as fireworks activity during the year, particularly on New Year's Eve and the 4*h of July, which likely would cause damage to a solar carport. While not intentional, it is likely that a wayward firework would damage a solar carport and create a potential hazard. It is also likely that the high winds would damage the solar carport creating a hazard to a neighborhood passerby or park visitor.
Beresford Park is our beloved neighborhood Jewel of San Mateo. It is our heritage park with open space and migratory bird visitors. It deserves better than solar carports so the City of San Mateo can check a Climate Action Plan box.
Thank you,
Patricia Hurst
On behalf of the Hurst Family
From: Giovana Orozco
To: Andrea Chow
Subject: FW: Proposed solar carports Beresford park gar4den and BB lot Date: Friday, August 23, 2024 10:28:20 AM
Giovana Orozco
Administrative Technician | Parks and Recreation
(650)522-7402
My Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday 7:00am to 3:45pm. Please note that I am currently working remotely on Wednesdays and Fridays. *My working hours may not be your working hours. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule.
From: David Abreu
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2024 8:52 AM
To: PR Commission Mailbox <[email protected]> Subject: Proposed solar carports Beresford park gar4den and BB lot I live across the street from the lot. The renderings are quite unattractive. The structures will block my view of the park. I fully expect you'll build the thing anyway.
One suggestion I wish to pass along is fireproofthe hell out of the canopy underside. That lot is a fireworks launch pad - 4* of July and New Years eve. We ain't talking roman candles and sparklers. The adolescents use serious mortars. Odds are one explosive will veer off course and blast into the underside of the canopy causing structural/wiring damage.
Thanks for letting me gripe,
David A. Abreu, CPA
ROSSI & COMPANY CPAS
From: Colleen Dieterle
To: Andrea Chow
Subject: + Solar installation Beresford Park
Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 9:31:11 AM
Andrea -
I left a phone message this morning but thought I would send you my email address also along with a picture. I suspect there will be no other questions/objections to this project. I am all for sustainability but.....Any chance of doing a mock up to see how this affects our property? I am going to in and out of town until 8/26/2024. Perhaps we can have a conversation after that?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Have a wonderful week. Colleen
COLLEEN M. DIETERLE, CPA