I am very pleased to see and hear such passionate support for the Parkview Plaza project which will be a part of the future “downtown” of Foster City. As this development gets closer to reality, I feel the enthusiasm of people in our community, recognizing that an opportunity to continue to live here as they get into their senior years will be possible.
This new housing component of “the Plaza” will serve a growing segment of our community while creating a revenue source that will continue to support our essential services. Many of us who have lived in Foster City for many years have often said we lack a downtown gathering area, in addition to where can I live when I want to downsize. I refer to a quote by Walt Disney: “If you dream it, you can do it”.
I see a flourishing town center for Foster City and I am getting excited by the possibilities that will abound; a destination location with the type of events and activities that a downtown area can offer all ages. With the main lagoon as a back drop to the Plaza, the Recreation Center and Leo Ryan Park with all it has to offer, the residents of Foster City will have it all.
Our community continues to be a very popular place in which to live, work and recreate as evidenced by the continued growth in the housing and business sectors. I see this project as a crowning achievement for the City.
Of course there are still matters to be considered before any project is complete. The process from idea to reality does take some time as our Planning Commission must evaluate the EIR reports and study the final designs.
Although, I am personally excited by this project, I know there are a few skeptics that are seeing the negatives rather than embracing the positives of this development. I believe sometimes, that a pure negative approach to something can cloud one’s thinking. While saying this, I do not want to appear as though I am disregarding any concerns that have been brought up.
The staff and the Council are committed to making sure that all new developments serve this community well. As a councilmember, I am looking at a much broader vision that will continue to drive this City on a successful path well into the future. Along with my colleagues, I have to evaluate the benefits of any project, look at the impacts it may have and come up with a balance that works for the long haul.
As our news is flooded with the State budget problems with the deficit still around $15 billion dollars, lawmakers are trying to come to grips on how to close that gap. The talk again centers around using funding that affects local governments. This threat is constantly looming on the horizon and it takes prudent, fiscal planning to survive it.
Money doesn’t grow on trees, therefore, we can’t keep a status quo with costs of services continuing to accelerate. Our City is in great shape because we continue to carefully judge opportunities that come our way and continue to project well into the future.
I understand the anxieties of our time right now, so I caution residents not to succumb to a fear mechanism used by some to paint a negative picture on potential opportunities without fully understanding the full scope of the planning process.
For any progress to happen, we must look at the cup as being half full rather than half empty. I respect differences of opinion, because through a process of rational discussion, evolves additional ideas for better and clearer solutions to finally be achieved.
I encourage residents to keep directly informed so that you can evaluate for yourself any project that is being considered and offer your own ideas and suggestions. Look to attending the Planning Commission and City Council meetings so you have a voice in the process.
I appreciate your comments on this and other matters by emailing me at lkoelling@fostercity.org.
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