HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/2017 Item 10, Marx
Christian, Kevin
From:Jan Marx <janmarx@stanfordalumni.org>
Sent:Monday,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Night time hiking and biking in open space (item 10)
As a private citizen and elected official, I have been active in city open space natural reserve planning, private fund
raising, budget allocation and policy making since 1996.
During all that time, about 10 prior City councils have all supported the fundamental principle that Priority number one
for management of open space lands is, as per Appendix C to the Conservation and Open Space Element of our General
Plan "Protection of existing wildlife and natural habitat generally." Priority number 2 is "Public access and passive
recreation."
This proposal to allow night time hiking and biking in open space turns that fundamental principle on its head,
prioritizing human recreation over protection of natural resources. Ten prior councils, listening to city residents during
hours and hours of public hearings, have recognized their moral and legal responsibility to be good and faithful stewards
of open space. They have made open space a high Budget Priority. They have recognized that every community survey
puts preservation of open space at the top of resident priorities.
This Council is now considering allowing the degradation of open space by allowing hiking and biking at night. Once the
door to prioritizing recreation over preservation is open, where will this lead in the future? Do you really want to be the
first Council to turn your back on protection of open space? Do you want the "parkification" of open space to be your
legacy?
I am resubmitting my March 2017 letter for purposes of this
hearing. http://opengov.slocity.org/weblink/1,1,1,1/doc/63712/Page1.aspx
I urge you to reject this proposal or place it on the 2018 ballot. Let the people who voted you into office decide if they
want to reduce the city's level of environmental protection of open space during this era of climate change.
Jan Marx, former Planning Commissioner 1996-1998, Council Member 1998-2002 and 2008-2010, Mayor 2010-2016.
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