Letter: Objections to Target

EDITOR,
Here is our response to the supplemental environmental impact report regarding the development of a big-box store, Target, in our quiet, peaceful neighborhood of Manana Woods, of which we have been residents for the past 36 years.
Objection No. 1: In order to implement the project, there would have to be a specific plan adjustment to the Gateway South Development, increasing the building area from 151,000 square feet to 282,650 square feet, almost doubling it in size. The project site is designated as Commercial-Service-Open Space. That does not mean that a store the size of Costco with its adjacent parking spaces is the right choice for this location on La Madrona Drive, a quiet, two-lane country road.
Objection No. 2: The SEIR report makes a constant reference to the once-proposed office complex on the same designated site. There is a vast difference between an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. occupied office building and an 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. high-impact big-box store, whose business hours would be further extended during the holiday season. Besides the intolerable traffic and parking problems that the report mentions, we also have a concern about noise, air and light pollution.
Objection No. 3: Our biggest concern is the report on traffic, which clearly states that not all traffic and transportation issues can be resolved to our satisfaction, even with mitigation measures. Wait times at certain intersections will increase significantly, even with additional turn lanes. For us who live in Manana Woods, wait times could increase to 88 seconds and would be unavoidable. The idling of the sitting cars would greatly impact our air quality. Mt. Hermon Road is already one of the busiest corridors in the county, connecting the San Lorenzo Valley to Highway 17. During peak hours, Mt. Hermon Road is used by motorists almost to its limits now.