Stop Redwood LIFE has been working closely with Longfellow and Redwood City planning to develop a suitable, smaller alternative plan since July 2023.
We remain opposed to the original 3.3 million square feet plan and continue our petition campaign to ensure the city council approves the Alternative 2.
To follow the Redwood City on going community engagement process activities, please go to www.planredwoodlife.org.
For information on the community engagement milestones, see the events below.
Jannuary 8, 2024 - Raimi and Associates.
The Redwood City Council approved an agreement with Raimi and Associates to develop a new Precise Plan and EIR for the Redwood Life Development. This plan will replace the current Westport Specific Plan. However, Longfellow's proposed 3.3 million square foot redevelopment can be the new Precise Plan. Raimi will also be responsible for community engagement, economic analysis and the development of alternative plan(s). A summary of the scope of services is below.
Phase 1: Preliminary Analysis and Community Input
Project Initiation. This includes start up activities including the kick-off meeting, workplan development, and data and document collection.
Coordination with City government agencies and City Council.
Community Engagement. This phase includes preparing an engagement strategy that identifies target demographic and interest groups, project branding and website, and conducting a variety of stakeholder meetings and community engagement activities.
Preliminary Sensitivity Analysis. The work in this phase consists of analyses of key environmental issues in the Plan Area, as well as transportation, utility, and flooding/SLR sensitivity analysis.
Refined CEQA Alternative. Consultant will prepare a series of development principles, develop CEQA alternatives for the Plan Area, and then work with City staff, the community, the property owner, and decisions makers to define a CEQA alternative to the project that will be analyzed in Phase 2 of the process.
Phase 2: Precise Plan and EIR Development
Precise Plan Development. In this phase, the Consultant will prepare an administrative draft of the Precise Plan, a Screen Check Draft, a Public Draft, and the Final Precise Plan.
Economic Analysis. This phase will involve evaluating the community benefits package proposed by the applicant, estimation of the infrastructure and transportation improvement costs, and estimation of the net fiscal impact of development to the City for the project and project alternative.
Environmental Impact Review: This phase will include the preparation of the Project Description, Notice of Preparation, Transportation impact Study, and EIR drafts. The analysis will provide a detailed assessment of the proposed project and project alternative.
July 24, 2023 - The city council agreed to support a CEQA study review for a smaller alternative plan of Redwood LIFE.
On July 24, 2023, the Redwood City Council voted by 7 to 0 to: “Adopt a resolution of Intention to initiate proceedings to consider repeal of the Westport Specific Plan and adoption of a Precise Plan for the Redwood Life Research & Development Office and Life Sciences Campus proposal.”
Stop Redwood Life has opposed Longfellow Development’s massive 3.3 million square foot plan for the Redwood Life redevelopment since October 2021. Stop Redwood Life supported this City Council resolution, subject to our agreement of May 18, 2023, with Longfellow Development to use the information gathered during the associated CEQA review to develop smaller alternative plans.
The Council members, Redwood City Planning staff and Longfellow all spoke of the importance of gathering input through community outreach, and of the goal for a smaller plan. The consensus is that the “community” extends beyond Redwood Shores to include Redwood City, and, to an extent, surrounding cities that will be affected by transportation issues, etc.
Redwood City will hire a community outreach consultant by late September or October. This consultant will report to planning staff and will work with the community and the developer.
The planning staff expect to use information gathered by the consulting firm conducting the CEQA review to refine mitigation issues on an ongoing basis while getting input from the community to “shape” alternatives before a final CEQA report is submitted. This approach is consistent with the commitments made to Stop Redwood Life by Longfellow.
Stop Redwood LIFE has achieved its primary goal of stopping the massive development in Redwood Shores. However, our movement continues collecting and submitting signatures opposing the 3.3 million square feet plan until we have a SUBSTANTIALLY reduced plan.
June 20, 2023 - The Planning Commission has recommended to the city council a CEQA study review on the 3.3 million sq. ft. proposed plan and a robust community outreach engagement process by Longfellow, the developer, for community feedback on a reduced alternative plan.
We support the Planning Commission recommendation to the city council for a CEQA review on July 24th of the existing plan to find the best smaller alternative plans.
May 18, 2023 - Stop Redwood LIFE has reached an agreement with Longfellow for smaller alternative plans!
Longfellow and Stop Redwood LIFE have agreed to support CEQA on the 3.3 million proposed plan and involve the community during the study to develop a smaller alternative plan for Redwood LIFE on May 18, 2023.
Our movement has achieved a milestone in stopping the current proposed massive plan. Mayor Gee and council member Howard have asked the planning department and Longfellow to come up with smaller alternative plana to Redwood LIFE's current 3.3 million sq. ft. life science campus in response to our opposition of its massive size on April 24th study session. They also requested community engagement.
