City of San Mateo
City Council Meeting
POST PACKET
PUBLIC COMMENT
As of March 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM
From: Michael
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Council Special Meeting 3/17/25 Item #5 - please reject sending letter to COHP Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 2:34:40 PM
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers:
I'm writing to discourage you from interfering with the State Historical Preservation Committee's evaluation of Baywood as a historic district.
I'm at a loss as to why councilmembers Fernandez and Cwirko-Godicki are attempting to interfere with something that is clearly a Baywood-specific issue. How would you feel if Baywood, who does not understand your neighborhood as you do, was attempting to restrict you from something important to your residents?
Furthermore, the city is not acting in good faith with regards to the San Mateo Historic Alliance. SMHA agreed to a pause for a set period of time. That time has elapsed. At the same time, the city has moved the timelines for execution of the ordinance update significantly, and seems to have introduced a "do nothing" option that was rejected twice already.
At the same time, you have a small group (Less Red Tape) working hard behind the scenes with legal representation and some deep pockets, to influence councilmembers and derail the historic preservation process. LRT are a.) raising funds questionably as they are not a registered political entity or non-profit, b.) engaging in influencing the State Historical Board by speaking out against the Baywood submission directly in their meetings, and c.) engaging in ethically questionable and possibly illegal usage of AI and data captured from residents to submit emails to council against the submission and the ordinance update. I would seriously
question both the credibility of any assertions made by LRT, as well as the validity of any correspondence in support of this letter or against the historical ordinance to the extent it appears to be form or AI generated.
The Baywood Historical nomination does not impact the city's process in any way, and there are substantial benefits in the way of funding sources for rehabilitation of historically significant assets accrued by Baywood becoming a historic district.
I ask the council to drop this submission,
to focus instead on the much bigger issues faced by
our city, and for councilmembers Fernandez and Cwirko-Godycki specifically to respect the desires of other districts and stay out of their way.
Thanks for listening - Michael Weinhauer
March 17, 2025
RE: Proposed SHPO Letter – Vote NO!
Dear Mayor Newsom and City Council Members,
As you had previously agreed, please allow the State Historic Preservation Office to continue its process in determining whether or not Baywood is eligible for the prestigious listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
In the sea of destruction and adversity on the national level, it is crucial for San Mateo to stand as a beacon of rationality—committed to protecting our environment, preserving the quality of life in our neighborhoods, and supporting the diverse members of our community.
I urge you not to align with the agenda of a small, manipulative group whose actions threaten to dismantle our beautiful neighborhoods for the financial gain of a select few developers and brokers. Their motives are clear, yet their methods raise serious questions. Why do they invest so heavily in opposing the San Mateo Heritage Alliance—a cause as wholesome and unifying as apple pie? San Mateo has the opportunity to lead with integrity and vision. I implore you to prioritize the values that make our city a place we are proud to call home.
Sincerely,
Shirley Melnicoe
30-year San Mateo Resident
From: Michael
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Council Special Meeting 3/17/25 Item #5 - please reject sending letter to COHP Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 2:34:40 PM
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers:
I'm writing to discourage you from interfering with the State Historical Preservation Committee's evaluation of Baywood as a historic district.
I'm at a loss as to why councilmembers Fernandez and Cwirko-Godicki are attempting to interfere with something that is clearly a Baywood-specific issue. How would you feel if Baywood, who does not understand your neighborhood as you do, was attempting to restrict you from something important to your residents?
Furthermore, the city is not acting in good faith with regards to the San Mateo Historic Alliance. SMHA agreed to a pause for a set period of time. That time has elapsed. At the same time, the city has moved the timelines for execution of the ordinance update significantly, and seems to have introduced a "do nothing" option that was rejected twice already.
At the same time, you have a small group (Less Red Tape) working hard behind the scenes with legal representation and some deep pockets, to influence councilmembers and derail the historic preservation process. LRT are a.) raising funds questionably as they are not a registered political entity or non-profit, b.) engaging in influencing the State Historical Board by speaking out against the Baywood submission directly in their meetings, and c.) engaging in ethically questionable and possibly illegal usage of AI and data captured from residents to submit emails to council against the submission and the ordinance update. I would seriously
question both the credibility of any assertions made by LRT, as well as the validity of any correspondence in support of this letter or against the historical ordinance to the extent it appears to be form or AI generated.
The Baywood Historical nomination does not impact the city's process in any way, and there are substantial benefits in the way of funding sources for rehabilitation of historically significant assets accrued by Baywood becoming a historic district.
I ask the council to drop this submission,
to focus instead on the much bigger issues faced by
our city, and for councilmembers Fernandez and Cwirko-Godycki specifically to respect the desires of other districts and stay out of their way.
Thanks for listening - Michael Weinhauer
From: jeanne bosschart
To: Clerk
Subject: State consideration of Baywood Historic nomination Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 4:00:00 PM
Many of us Baywood residents support an historic designation for our neighborhood.
Please allow the State’s process to continue without further delays.
Thank you.
Jeanne Bosschart
San Mateo
Sent from my iPad