In the News:
Crestmont Hills Project a Textbook San Francisco
November 26, 2007 - The Examiner
by Ken Garcia
People who watch the way development takes place in San Francisco could view the history of a project near Sutro Tower to try to understand why neighbors so often feel they’re living on a slippery slope. Residents in and around Crestmont Hills were aghast three years ago when they were alerted of plans by a developer to build 34 three- and four-bedroom luxury condominiums on a 50,000-square-foot parcel. The homeowners in the area near UC San Francisco expressed concerns about the density of the project for an area that is one of the most heavily wooded and quiet neighborhoods in The City...
Read the full article in The Examiner
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UPDATE May 13, 2007 - Major recent events have taken place which appear to indicate the end of the Crestmont Hills Development project. In mid-April we were alerted that a Trustee Sale of the Crestmont Hills LLC Property would take place on April 30. Investigations into the status of the project indicated payments due for property taxes and for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) were in arrears. On April 30, the property was sold, for approximately $1.3 million, to the former partner of the developer, Mr. Magaved Magomedov. It is our understanding that none of the corporation's plans or designs, geologic or other surveys, EIR materials were transferred in this sale. As a result, the entire project has been now deemed as inactive by the Planning Department, with no intent to move forward.
The next anticipated step by the Planning Department will be final closure of the project. While these events strongly suggest that the massive and ill-conceived Crestmont Hills development is no longer a threat to our neighborhood, we will remain vigilant: negotiations between the former developer and the new owner could conceivably resurrect the project as it was initially proposed, in which case our struggle must continue. Alternatively, the new owner may propose entirely different plans for development of the property, which could touch off a new challenge. Therefore, it may be premature to declare victory and take down our "Stop Crestmont Hills Development" posters just yet. Nonetheless, we seem on the threshold of success in preserving the safety, tranquility, and quality of life of our neighborhood, which we all value so much.
All of our Forest Knolls and Mt. Sutro Woods neighbors who have displayed posters, written letters to the Planning Department and to City Hall, come to meetings and hearings and contributed to this 3-year effort deserve our thanks and congratulations. And, we musn't neglect to also thank our Supervisor, Sean Elsbernd, who played a very important and constructive role at several critical junctures in this process. He deserves our appreciation and support.
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Landslide on Telegraph Hill, February 27, 2007
Similarities to Telegraph Hill frighten Mt. Sutro Neighborhood facing threat from lage new condo development.
The enormous rockslide which displaced 120 resident of Telegraph Hill early in the morning of February 27 and rendered seven buildings uninhabitable is more than just a passing matter of interest to residents of Crestmont Drive, a long cul-de-sac on the north slope of Mt. Sutro. The conditions which led to the Telegraph Hill slide appear eerily similar to the Mt. Sutro hillside: one of the steepest slopes in the City composed largely of sandstone with a history of nearby quarrying until 1958 and with a documented history of landslides... Read Press Release, 3-5-07
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Hearing at City Hall, December 4, 2006
New Ordinance: Crestmont Hill Slope Protection Area - Proposed by Supervisor Sean Elsbernd
New Ordinance May Delay, But Won't Block Massive Condominium Project in Forest Knolls
Supervisor Elsbernd has proposed an ordinance, amending the SF Building Code, creating a "Crestmont Hill Slope Protection Area." This would require additional review by a Structural Advisory Committee and specify additional structural and seismic safeguards to address certain of the issues which have been raised. Based on a previously passed ordinance regading Edgehill Way, also on a steep hillside between Dewey Blvd. and Portola Dr., we consider this a positive step.
"Ordinance amending the San Francisco Building Code by adding Section 106.4.1.3 to create a Crestmont Hill Slope Protection Area..." Click to read the proposed Ordinance
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July 13, 2006
Hillside gives way in Contra Costa County - Landslide forces evacuations in Pittsburg
Heavy equipment was used and residents said they blame work going on for a new subdivision below the area.
http://wcbstv.com/kpix/local/local_story_194204659.html
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/15037272.htm
http://www.kcra.com/news/9520178/detail.html
http://www.ktvu.com/news/9517743/detail.html
http://www.nbc11.com/news/9517843/detail.html
Don't let this happen to Crestmont Drive!
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NOTICE OF PREPARATION (NOP) OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) Issued May 27, 2006 - Case No. 2004.0093E
Click to Read the Full Inital Report Map of Area
Read Coalition Response to IS/NOP by the Planning Department
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URGENT RESPONSE from the community is required by June 26, 2006!
Every letter matters and is counted!
FLYERS: We are circulating flyers targeted to specific streets
Click for Oak Park, Christopher, Devonshire, and Forest Knolls
PETITION: We are also circulating a petition requesting REZONING of Forest Knolls/Mt.Sutro Woods Click here to download Petition
Send your written comments concerning the EIR by June 26, 2006, to
Paul Maltzer, Environmental Review Officer, SF Planning Department
1660 Mission Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94103
We recommend you send a copy of your letter to
Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Pl., SF 94102
Email Sean.Elsbernd@sfgov.org
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PLEASE DISPLAY THIS POSTER IN YOUR WINDOW!
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Save our neighborhood and say NO to the massive 34 unit development and say NO to Traffic! Affected Streets: Warren Drive, Oak Park, Devonshire Way, Christopher, Crestmont Drive. Call 640-3869 or send an email to info@crestmontpreservation.org to request a poster for yourself and your neighbors. |
____________________________________________________________ August 2005 - Update The Planning Department is reviewing the Environmental Impact Report and is expected to present a draft at the end of the year or the beginning of 2006. We are in contact with Supervisor Elsbernd and the Planning Department and need to be prepared and organized! Call 640-3869 to volunteer. Kristine Zaback reports that a group of 12 neighbors attended the Official Reopening of the Sutro Walkway, attended by Supervisor Elsbernd. They displayed our new sign (see above) and wore buttons: "It was a very dramatic statement. Neighbors, staff of the Water Department, other city department employees, and Susan Leal approached us for more information on our opposition to the project. As we had hoped, we were able to make an impact on a variety of different levels. We made a visual impact that appeared organized and the tip of a larger group. The politicians and city employees were impressed and the message will get around City Hall. I spent a great deal of time talking to the reporter from the "Sing Tao" newspaper who wants to follow up on this issue." __________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Join your Neighbors at the Official Reopening of the Sutro Walkway
Date: Friday, July 1, 2005, at 11:00 AM
Place: Clarendon at the entrance to the reservoir and up the street from our local firehouse,
across the street from the entrance to Galewood Circle.
At the reopening of the walkway around Sutro Reservoir, please join your neighbors and help bring the Crestmont Hills Development issue to the attention of City officials. Let's show Supervisor Elsbernd, SFPUC General Manager Susan Leal, and other elected and department officials that we oppose the proposed 34 unit Crestmont Hills development.
We will distribute STOP Crestmont Hills Development signs to post in your windows.
For more information, contact kzaback@earthlink.net.
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Updates on Developments in August and September 2004
Click for Details
CONDO ANGST
Forest Knolls Residents Fight Mt. Sutro Plan
Article from The Examiner, July 26, 2004
Click here for article & photo...
An Eerie Slide in San Francisco Landslide on Mt. Sutro, 1979