Atherton council promises to try to save civic center trees

Same rules should apply to building a new town center as apply to any Atherton TAX PAYER building a home. If the home is too big for the lot, and trees need to be cut, the answer is "NO".

So apply the same rules to save these trees as would be applied if the trees were on the lot of a TAX PAYER and SCALE DOWN THIS TOWN CENTER to a size that won't impact the trees, and, MORE IMPORTANTLY, the TOWN CAN AFFORD.

(See the recent parcel tax vote for a reference on what voters expect).

I love our majestic oaks as much as anybody else, but please, let's get on with construction. Take reasonable measures to save as many as you can, but PLEASE AVOID GOING BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD with another redesign of the buildings. Keep in mind that this new civic center is likely to outlive some of the older heritage trees. Build what is planned, relocate the trees that are able, and replant liberally to make up for those that aren't.

@Rules

The new civic center is nearly the same square footage as the current civic center. The space has been consolidated into a single building, rather than spread across numerous buildings as it is now.

If you want the square footage spread out over smaller buildings to save heritage trees, the cost would increase considerably. You can save the trees and increase costs *OR* you can cut down a few heritage trees and save millions. Which one do you want?

Based on the parcel tax vote, the voters want to save costs.

If you want a smaller civic center in general, you would have to rent office space outside of Atherton to accommodate all city services. Short term, you would save costs. Long term, you would pay more. Office rents on the peninsula are rising very fast and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Apple, sure let’s start by eliminating the gymnasium for police that’s part of the current plan and let them (not the town) pay for 24 Hour Fitness memberships if they want to work out.

@Rent

The police can't use 24 Hour Fitness for several reasons. 1) They don't allow some law enforcement tactical training exercises there. 2) The police can't respond to emergencies quickly when they get the call when located in another city. 3) Hiring police officers is a competitive market. The more amenities Atherton offer employees, the less costly it is to hire them.

If we'd finally shift our police services over to the sheriff's department, we could maintain a sheriff's sub-station in the new civic center, ax the gymnasium from the pans, and keep the trees.

@Apple – You know that having a gym is not required for police officers in California. Training is different than a gym. Training can be done in many places, including the park. You know this because on the one hand, your post seems to suggest it's mandatory, yet you conclude by admitting it's a hiring inducement, which clearly implies not everyone offers it. Atherton police officers are paid quite well, especially relative to the risks of the particular job in Atherton. We don't need to build a $55M town center as a hiring inducement.