A quick review of the City Council meeting on 10/18/22.
Council Vote:
Councilmembers Stern and Montgomery YES (2)
Councilmembers Hadley, Franklin, and surprise vote by Mayor Napolitano NO (3)
Mayor Napolitano’s vote caused gasps of amazement from attendees in the room.
Key Comments by Councilmembers before the vote:
Montgomery - Metlox worked out, this will work out too.
Stern - We need more housing. I don’t want to defy state law.
Franklin - The state allowed them (developers) to not do a proper environmental study to protect the tenants and neighbors.
Hadley - no comments due to laryngitis.
Napolitano - I’m denying the project based on an Adverse Impact on the area.
The meeting was 3 hours long, with 75 ppl. in the room and 100 ppl. on Zoom. About 30 public comments were made to City Council before the vote, the majority were against the project.
City Council Candidate, Frank Chiella - Based on my (Battalion Chief) experience of responding to fire and hazardous material releases in the refinery, I feel confident in saying that the Chevron Refinery poses a significant health and safety risk to any new residential development next to the refinery.
City Council Candidate, Rita Crabtree-Kampe - Although we need more housing in MB, I am opposed to HighRose because it is next to a refinery.
City Council Candidate, Mark Burton - If the tanks in the refinery caught on fire and blew, the blast radius of 1/2 mile would be devastating.
From Chill the Build, Attorney Evan Chuck - The US Constitution obligates state and local governments to protect residents’ life, liberty, and property interests. The “life” interest means that cities must keep their citizens safe from environmental, health, and other hazards.
Resident - Your (Council’s) job is to keep us safe.
Resident - This is a perverse use of the equity bonus laws.
Resident - This is really a short-term rental project dressed up as an apartment complex.
Resident - The project will screen the eyesore of the refinery.
After the meeting, residents moved into the lobby, elated and shaking hands.
From Chill the Build co-founder, Rick Ralph - This was a community effort, for sure!
MBStrong Voter Guide [HERE]
The 2 City Council candidates we elect to serve over the next four years are facing some contentious times with the state and county.
The state will continue to push more restrictions to further limit our control over what we build in MB, and we will see more projects like HighRose come to our city to circumvent our zoning laws. County DA George Gascon’s lax enforcement of laws and criminal prosecution will continue to cause rising crime.
These times require the next 2 Council Members to have experience navigating political waters, an understanding of the most critical issues, and an unwavering conviction to find ways to protect our city despite these obstacles.
Refer to our Voter Guide to review the candidates we have identified as most qualified for the job and the rankings of all MB candidates by clicking [HERE].
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