Gustav Larsson was a “NO SHOW,” not a broker for PAMF compromise

The San Jose Mercury Editorial dated Sept 27, 2013 is falsely stating that “Gustav Larsson calmed residents and brokered a compromise with the city over the PAMF expansion.”

Brokered a compromise? The truth is that Gustav Larsson “dropped out” of the Sunnyvale Palo Alto Medical Foundation PAMF residential advocacy mid-process, in fact, he was a “NO SHOW” at the Sunnyvale Planning Commission Hearing just a few weeks prior to the Council vote – when each voice and issue mattered!

If Gustav had brokered a deal, wouldn’t it make sense that the Sunnyvale Sun would have interviewed him instead of Jeff Jones? CLICK HERE for the dropbox link to the Sunnyvale Sun interview with Jeff Jones for an article, dated April 29, 2009, regarding the PAMF Sunnyvale Heritage Neighborhood project revision. 

Attorney Zan Henson states “An Appeal is Mandatory” as Judge Elfving Denies PAMF EIR Decertification

Ironically, in an issue disputing “adequacy,” Judge William Elfving posted his ruling on October 6, but it took an additional week, afterward, to receive his written decision. As well, the Sept 24th hearing was almost 3 weeks ago, and as of yesterday afternoon, the file had not been delivered from Judge William Elfving’s Court Clerk to the Court Recorder’s office.    

PAMF’s Introductions to Commissioners Assisted by City, While Neighbors Are Told “You’re On Your Own”

Those experienced with Planning Commissioners and Councilmembers will firmly state “Don’t expect to show up on the night of the hearing and ask for what you want. You need to talk with the decision-makers well in advance during the planning stages. By Council night, it’s a done deal.”

Judge Hears Arguments for PAMF EIR Lawsuit, Decision in One Week

Superior Court Judge Elfving heard arguments from Petitioner Attorney, Alexander T. Henson, and Respondent PAMF Attorney Sacramento-Based John D. Fairbrook this morning at 9:00am.

Both Petitioners as well as Sunnyvale Heritage District Neighbors & Supporters were present during the hearing.

Notably absent from the hearing were the preparers of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Environmental Impact Report PAMF EIR in dispute~ Lead Agency (Planners Gerri Caruso, Trudi Ryan, Steve Lynch), Community Director Hanson Hom, City Manager Gary Luebers, Traffic Jack Whittus  & Heba El-Guendy, Fehr & Peers, David J. Powers & Associates, PAMF Public Relations Cythnia Greaves, nor any of the 6 Councilmembers who voted to approve the PAMF EIR on June 23, 2009.    

Did PAMF’s Warning to Find an Alternative Site Outside of Sunnyvale Result in a Rushed EIR?

On October 7. 2008, PAMF President Dr. Slavin writes of frustration to Sunnyvale City Manager, Amy Chan, requesting an expedited delivery of the Environmental Impact Report.

 

Slavin states that the lack of communication is frustrating, disappointing and extremely costly. He continues, “further delays are not acceptable and will force us to look at alternative sites outside of Sunnyvale.”          

City Manager Gary Luebers Returns the PAMF EIR, Really Does Not Need it

“How refreshing” is how Lead Agency Trudi Ryan responds when Deborah Gorman informs her that The City Manager, Gary Luebers, had just returned the Sunnyvale Palo Alto Medical Foundation Environmental Impact Report (PAMF  EIR) and stated that “he really does not need a copy.”

  

(Click image to enlarge)

Gary Luebers Returns the PAMF EIR

 

On 1/9/09, Gorman writes Sunnyvale Planner Trudi Ryan, “I  just wanted to let you know that the City Manager, Gary, returned the PAMF EIR as he said that he really does not need a copy as he knows he can come to us if he needs to take a look at it. I told Kathy McGraw that we could continue to provide Gary with copies of the EIRs and he could return them to us if he does not want to keep a copy.”         

Bottleneck Traffic in Line for PAMF Site?

PAMF’s planned location of the ambitious $120M, 270,000 square foot, 5 level  structure at the edge and within the Sunnyvale Heritage District Neighborhood is an incompatible choice, according to many, as  the site is not well-connected to the roadway network.               

The site is surrounded by two-lane former “horse and buggy streets” residential Carroll, S Bayview, S Sunnyvale Ave and Old San Francisco Road, with limited access. It may be like jamming an endless number of sand particles through an hour-glass timer within the neighborhood and slowly waiting for the particles to sift through the narrow funnels.         

NOTE: The street in front of the illustrated PAMF building is NOT a wide boulevard as drawn. It is currently two-laned Old San Francisco Road with stop signs at Cezanne and Bayview.  

  

PAMF View Surrounded by Two-Lane Residential Streets

 

WHY Did The City of Sunnyvale REQUIRE PAMF to Prepare an EIR?

A Public Agency, or Lead Agency, determines whether a “project,” such as The Sunnyvale Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), under The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),  has potential for a direct physical change or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

CEQA is a statute that requires state and local agencies to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible.

The lead agency determines if an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be required.

The Lead Agency for the PAMF Project, coincidently, was the City of Sunnyvale Planning Staff: Principal Planner Gerri Caruso and Planning Officer Trudi Ryan. The Environmental Consultants and Planners were David J. Powers & Associates.

Shortly before the Commission/Council Vote on June 23, 2009, Sunnyvale Planner Steve Lynch replaced Principal Planner Gerri Caruso. On an email dated 4/13/2009, Caruso wrote that she was resigning to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. PAMF004718

It’s important to NOTE: If the responsible agency believes that the environmental analyses in the CEQA document is incorrect or inadequate, CEQA Guidelines section 15096(e)(1) provides that a responsible agency may “…take the issue to court within 30 days after the lead agency files a NOD, or within 180 days of the commitment to go ahead or approve the project where a NOD is not filed.”

The PAMF Project was approved during the June 8, 2009 City of Sunnyvale Commission Hearing. The PAMF Project and EIR was approved and certified during the June 23,2009 Sunnyvale Council Hearing.

Copies of the PAMF DEIR/FEIR are available at the City of Sunnyvale Library and Planning Dept for review.

“Center Bull Pen” Staff Seating Arrangement is a Strategic Art

It appears that careful, strategic seating arrangement is about as important and skillful as choosing the right jurors to win a trial.

Sunnyvale Planner Trudi Ryan writes to the Director of Community Development, Hanson Hom, discussing various center bull pen seating arrangement options for staff during both the Palo Alto Medical Foundation PAMF EIR, a subsidiary of Sutter Health, Project Commission and Council Hearings.

PAMF’s Bounteous Sunnyvale, CA Residential Purchases Planned for Waste/Storage

Wowowowow! PAMF was a high bidder for 448 Kenny Court! Palo Alto Medical Foundation, a subsidiary of Sutter Health, generously purchased this modest residential property for $1,250,000.00 on 11/13/2008 to be developed into a 3,250 s.f. Storage and Waste Management Area for PAMF in Sunnyvale!

To compare apples with apples, a similar home in the neighborhood~ 389 S Pastoria Ave, SOLD for $621,000 just one month prior! Now, that’s STEEP APPRECIATION !

PAMF pays $1.25M for 448 Kenny Court!

(Click on image to enlarge)