Volumn 20 No. 2 • 821-9443 • www.tpobserver.com •
[email protected] • March 2008 then and Now Arden Wood Neighbors, Developers Closer life in the fat lane Neighbor’s PoiNt of VieW DeVeloPer’s MessAge RUMINATIONS OF A FORMER CITIZEN SUPERVISOR By Eric Castongia, Zephyr Real Estate By Robert Mendelsohn, Republic Urban Properties Big Changes presented on the Proposed Arden by Quentin Kopp Wood Development In January, one of our The developers of the proposed housing project daily newspapers which oc- on the Arden Wood property sponsored two work- casionally, like a blind pig shops in February to present their new vision for finding an acorn, identifies the 4.6 acre parcel. In Republic Urban’s words, ‘you taxpayer waste and abuse, talked, we listened’. Their new scheme was a signifi- reported that the Board cant and welcomed departure from the original 13 of Supervisors engaged in and six story towers, which were loudly opposed by fewer meetings while re- neighbors. ceiving vastly higher com- The new scheme consists of four new low-rise pensation than ever before buildings straddling a ‘village drive’ culminating at the relatively recent imposi- a cul-de-sac. Two existing buildings are to stay and tion of election by district. be remodeled as part of the development; building Specifically, in 2002, Charter section 2.100, establish- 701 which is currently staff housing and the director’s ing the compensation and salary of the 11 Board of house. Robert Mendelsohn, President of Republic Over the past year, the West Portal community Supervisors members, was rendered obsolete by a Urban Properties San Francisco Branch, states that has been providing us with their thoughts and ideas Charter amendment that essentially delegated to the although a Planned Unit Development will still be about the project and we have been listening.