HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/9/2021 Item 4a, Cohen
Delgado, Adriana
From:Josh Cohen <josh@foothillcyclery.com>
Sent:Tuesday,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Extended use Hours
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Dear Mayor and Council,
I'm writing in support of extended use hours of Cerro San Luis during the winter. As a 25-year resident and
local business owner, I do not think that adding a couple hours of use to the small section of open space is
asking too much. I'd also like to point out several issues with some of the comments against, especially that of
the Sierra Club and the article from CA Fish and Wildlife quoted in their letter.
The studies in question do not apply Directly to Cerro San Luis. They were not taken on Cerro San Luis and the
Sierra Club is simply stretching to apply studies to a smaller area. The fact the 101 freeway is less than 3000
feet from almost all of the Open Space in question, negates those arguments, as pointed out by Dr.
Francis. The reality of the situation is if we were really going to use the Sierra Club's arguments, the whole city
would need to shut down at sunset to preserve the Cerro Open Space, including stopping all traffic on the
101.
I'd ask council to ignore studies not done on Cerro San Luis. While they are valid to the area's where the
studies took place, they have little relevance here given the proximity to a major freeway, homes, and a
city. In fact, one of the comments from their quoted article stated "The result may be a severe startle
response by the animal with significant consequences to the animal and/or the mountain biker (Quinn and
Chernoff 2010). The sudden encounter is the most common situation associated with grizzly bear (Ursus arctos
horribillis) inflicted injury (Quinn and Chernoff 2010)." I've lived here a long time and I'm pretty sure there are
no grizzly bears on Madonna.
As a City Council, you have a choice. You can listen to a straw man argument, put forth by NIMBYs, or you can
extend winter hours a tiny bit for the sake of the human community.
Josh Cohen
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