Apr 23, 2008

City moves forward with controversial plan

Project aims at bolstering population and tax revenue in Foster City

By Mark Abramson / Daily News Staff Writer

A controversial development expected to bolster Foster City's population and tax revenue is moving ahead.

The city council voted 5-0 late Monday to certify the environmental impact report for the Pilgrim-Triton redevelopment project, amend the general plan to allow the almost 21-acre project, and take other action to move the development forward.

Council members voted 4-1 to rezone the site to allow housing along with the business and retail uses on the site. Council Member Rick Wykoff voted against rezoning the site because he opposes housing there, Foster City Planning Manager Leslie Carmichael said Tuesday.

Wykoff could not be reached for comment.

The council voted after 21 people spoke for and against the development during a public hearing, City Clerk Therese Calic said.

The project will be built on property owned by the Northwest Investment Management Co., AMB Property Corp. and Foster City Executive Park Partners near Pilgrim and Triton drives and Highway 92.

It will add 730 multifamily units to the area, redevelop 289,000 square feet of industrial, office and commercial space into 296,000 square feet of office and commercial property and a 1-acre park.

Several residents who voiced their opposition to Pilgrim-Triton contend it would snarl traffic in the area and lower property values because of its proposed tall buildings and massive size.

City officials said Pilgrim-Triton will bring more jobs and residents to the city and generate $485,000 in property and other taxes annually, compared to the $97,000 the site produces now.

"It would be primarily from property tax, but there is also sales tax and some other things," Carmichael said.

"Those buildings are fairly old, and they are an outdated use of the property," she added.



E-mail Mark Abramson at

mabramson@dailynewsgroup.com.