Thank you to the thousands of supporters from all over San Mateo County, California and even beyond for the outpouring of enthusiasm for maintaining Thornton Beach Bluff as open space. Here are some comments from the community that we’ve received recently:
“This decision could endanger lives. When I was Mayor, we had to condemn several homes along Westline Drive that were eroding into the Pacific Ocean. Subsequently, we had to close part of the parking lot of the Korean Church because it, like the homes on Westline, was a victim of geological erosion. Geological reports for the church reflected it would be “many years” before erosion affected the church but it took about 3. That entire coastline is eroding and it is only a matter of time before more of it goes. I vowed never to allow construction along the coast for this reason. It endangers human life. Additionally, there are few natural habitats left in Daly City let alone in the Bay Area. How are we proposing to remove open space (and a dog walking area) and replace it with a 2-story building?!! This timorous decision by Daly City only illustrates how unimaginative it has become.”
Gonzalo Sal Torres
“People need peaceful recreational areas where they can enjoy nature with their companions. This revitalizes our souls and makes life worth living.”
Julia Holder
“Must we humans ruin everything with our ginormous footprint and greed?!?Please leave what is left of the Northern California bluffs alone!”
Mia H.
“A – the beauty of our coasts belongs to everyone, not just the people who can afford to purchase coastal properties and B – erosion will take out the bluffs sooner rather than later, and who’s gonna pay the damages when the developments fall into the sea? The taxpayer, of course. Leave nature to nature, for all to enjoy.”
Laura Szigeti
“I’m signing because this place is a important recreation area for SF and Daly City residents. It also has high environmental value because it protects native species of plants, pollinators, birds, and mammals. Furthermore, development on this land is moronic because it will further erosion to sand cliffs that area always changing.”
Miles Brooks
“Do not develop Thornton State Beach. Besides the natural beauty of our cliffs and bluff, the area is not stable for building. Look at what happened on Esplanade Avenue and Manor in Pacifica due to storms and cliff erosion. Enough is enough! More importantly, Thornton Beach provides emergency access for police and firefighters.”
Tosca Clark, Daly City
“I want to keep it open for my dog and all to use!”
Barbara Venturi, Daly City
“Open space for all to enjoy. Please keep it open. Thanks”
Farzad Turk, Daly City
“Open space! Open Space! Open Space!”
Amy Chow, Daly City
“We have enough future housing developments sprouting up all over SF and the Peninsula…let’s leave Thornton Beach open space instead of cramming more and more of us in untolerable loss of quality of life areas.It’s OUR future we’re preserving, not more so The (Scott) Weiner can climb the political ladder stepping on the throats of once nice neighborhoods as he’s beholden to the Trades and Real Estate so he needs to repay them. Check out his donors…it’s a loss of quality of our once quaint lives.”
Cynthia Marcopulos
“Leave it as is.There would be too much disruption to the wildlife that lives here.”
Rebecca Souter
“Public access to coastal land shouldn’t be allowed to disappear.”
Lewis Gridley
“My husband and our two dogs visit Thornton Beach daily. We’ve enjoyed the Ridge Trail and the beach below for more than five years. We’ve seen three generations of the Great Horned Owl pair that reside there grow up and even helped rescue one that fell from the nest. There is a Great Blue Heron that feeds there every day and has for years! Not to mention all of the other wildlife that will be disrupted. I cannot believe anyone would want to ruin this beautiful space for any building. We cannot let another beautiful public space be destroyed like this.”
Meridith Coll
“Since horse back riding is no longer available in the San Francisco area, it is important to maintain the Mar Vista Stables and Palo Mar Stables and maintain public access to the bluff and cliffs overlooking Thornton Beach for the public and riders.”
Joanne Stack
“To qualify, I’m a native born San Franciscan. While the development in the Bay Area has been shocking and dramatic I have seen some change and development that I can appreciate. News however of this planned development is difficult to even believe is possible. It is grotesque. I have been coming to Thornton State Beach at least 3-5 times a week for 10+ years. I’ll support any and all efforts to prevent this development plan to proceed and imagine I would support all efforts to demonstrate its not welcome in the event of its existence. This is no place for such plans.”
Lillian Reidy
“This is the City Council trying to SHAKE DOWN the public for MONEY to buy what we already own. They know damn well you can’t build some heavy structure on these SAND DUNES sitting atop the MOST ACTIVE PART OF THE SAN ANDREAS FAULTLINE that can’t even support golf course LAWNS! The reason this area is terraced is due to the frequent EARTHQUAKES that have even taken down several HIGHWAYS. 20 years ago, the golf course was partly taken down the dunes. Must say it was lovely seeing terraced green lawn sloping down to the ocean. CITY COUNCIL SHOULD ALL BE FIRED IF THEY TRY TO PUSH THIS THROUGH. I’ll bet the development company is OWNED BY CHINA through several intermediaries. Tell Daly City Council to go eff themselves and if they take bribes they’re going to PRISON.”
Cheryl Richard
“I live near Thornton beach and love going there for eve walks and watch sunset,”
Raksha Bhat
“This is an important natural space with stunning access and views of the ocean that all should be able to enjoy,”
Steve Indig
“Every bit of open space is rare and irreplaceable. We have enough buildings and don’t need another.”
Christine Beard
“Open spaces make San Francisco livable,. We need to preserve them throughout the City.”
Wendy Stovell
“This is the last beach in this area for horse back riding.. I was proposed to on horseback on this beach. It’s very dear to me and I hope other have the same experience I had for many more years.”
Tayler Gonzales
“This is a small part of Northern California history and beauty that should remain for the public to enjoy. That should be enough, but the environmental impacts add a layer to the proposed destruction that should put a full halt on this ridiculous plan.”
Judy Lamb
“Because I live there and love the beautiful scenic location so close to the city. It’s a great outdoor space to get away from city life”
Simon Fathers
“As a concerned citizen and an organizer of Thornton Beach Bluff Preserve, I oppose the proposed Olympic Way Retreat Center project and issuance of UPR 09-20-014692 – Coastal Development Permit. The City Council should listen to public input about this project. There is strong and growing opposition to it. Over 250 Daly City residents to date. This land is not suitable for development. Building on sandy, eroding cliffs in an earthquake zone is dangerous and puts public safety at risk. The current zoning regulations do not support this type of development. But any development of this area is simply inadvisable given the evidence from decades of prior mistakes in this vein and the cost of those. Why would Daly City even consider this type of project? It is being “sponsored” by a nonprofit foundation meaning the city gets no property taxes, etc. The City would be on the hook for moving utilities under Skyline Blvd to support electrical, internet, wastewater, sewer etc. Does the community need a “religious retreat center”? No. This project is not in any way compatible with the Local Coastal Plan for Daly City. We plan to appeal any CDP to the Coastal Commission. Yes, some will say “this is just a CDP for testing”…but it is a slippery slope. Once the Council votes for that, the project technically moves to the next stage. Wouldn’t it be more advisable to redirect Daly City resources (now even scarcer due to COVID) to other priorities? This land should remain as open space. Thank you for your consideration.”
John Wood
I urge the Council Members to not issue the permit or grant support for this project. What gain to Daly City residents is there when they will be losing access, not gaining access to additional open space?
Lisa Dunmeyer
I am opposed to the proposed complex being built at the intersection of John Daly Blvd. and Skyline . I have been a resident of Daly City for 60 years, I often walk my dogs and enjoy the ocean nearby. Please vote no!! Their are numerous other places to build your proposed building.
Lillian Montgomery
As a native in San Francisco and having been raised in Daly City, i strongly oppose the construction of buildings and any sort of damage done to our seashore. Everyone is opposed to this permit because we know it will cause great damage and ruin this beautiful area in the future. It will immediately destroy wildlife, long term introduce pollution and waste, and overall ruin environment next to the ocean. I am strongly opposed to this permit and believe we need to stop this great harm from being done to our homes – for all present and future citizens of Daly City.
Bryant Galo
Good Evening Distinguished City Council Mayor, Vice Mayor and Members; I have two concerns for you tonight. First, I think that we as community members should have the opportunity to provide oral comments direct to the City Council versus being added to a queue to be read aloud. The distinguished City Council already provided such an opportunity for a hearing earlier this year, so technology is available for this request to improve engagement with constituents during the pandemic. Second, I am concerned about the Daly City Planning Commission’s approval of the Sand Hill Project at Thornton Beach (UPR-09-20-014692). I provided objection to this user permit and development to the Planning Commission ahead of their last meeting as I would assert that it is subject to CEQA (it will potentially damage sensitive habitat), the proposed project is not consistent with current zoning (essentially they are building a hotel), and it will limit public access to the bluffs/public beach area. As such, I request that a special session of the City Council be held on this user permit to provide Daly City community members the opportunity to provide input prior to any decisions being made by responsible elected officials. Thank you for consideration of these requests.
Tatum King
PLEASE READ THIS INTO THE OPEN RECORD December 2, 2020 Dear Members of the City Council: I am and have been a resident of Daly City for many years. I am writing this email to ask you to not approve the development of the Olympic Way Retreat Center at the Thornton Beach Bluff Preserve. As a youngster, I would access this area to ride horses at the Mar Vista Stable, and swim at Thornton State Beach before the beach was closed by a landslide in 1982.) I currently access the Thornton Beach Vista to enjoy the view, the local flora and occasional fauna. This area should be maintained as a recreation area open to the public where hiking, riding horses, and other activities can continue. The natural terrain should remain into perpetuity as it provides ocean vistas and open space for the residents of Daly City and the public at large. One other point (and probably the most important one) to consider, is that the Thornton Beach Bluff Preserve is prone to landslides caused by erosion and seismic activity, thus making it very unwise to develop the land in this area. Please put a stop to development of the retreat at the preserve. Your children and grandchildren will thank you for it. Sincerely, Martha Pahnke
Martha E Pahnke
No, totally opposed to any construction in our beautiful Daly City Coastal area. Respect the environment, respect the people, respect the future generations. Do not allow this permit to ruin our california seaside coast.
Ethel Galo
As a lifelong resident of Daly City i am strongly opposed to any building construction in this area. The environment will be strongly negatively impacted and this construction idea will cause many problems in the future – including the destruction and pollution of the coastline. I strongly oppose and see no value in the construction. Please leave the area as it is, everyone in the Daly City Area opposes the construction proposal.
Gabriel Galo
I do not support the Olympic Way Retreat Center project and the CDP being issued for testing of the land which moves this project forward, and NOR SHOULD YOU. This area is not suitable for a building, it is a rapidly eroding bluff and any construction would be destroyed and fall into the ocean in a short amount of time. Secondly, the cost and effort of moving utilities to this part of the city would pose a danger to ANYONE. Thirdly, the intent and nature of this project is not in line with the Local Coastal Plan for Daly City or the California Coastal Act and Sand Hill Properties KNOWS IT – they’re just being shady. Fourthly, the project is incompatible with the current zoning ordinances as C-1 Light Industrial. Again SAND HILL PROPERTIES KNOWS IT – they would petition to CHANGE the zoning for this project. LASTLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY – THIS PROJECT IS OPPOSED BY HUNDREDS OF DALY CITY RESIDENTS AND THOUSANDS OF BAY AREA RESIDENTS. Despite what Sand Hill Properties says, EVERY SINGLE PERSON I HAVE SPOKEN TO IS AGAINST THIS PROJECT. Don’t turn a blind eye to your constituents, we elected you, it’s now your turn to represent us.
Marie Seitzer
Thank you for reading this letter and I appreciate you taking time to listen to the community. The matter in which I am writing to you about is dear to me and I appreciate being able to communicate my thoughts about the proposal to build a Christian recreation center at Thornton Beach Bluff. I want to express my strong opposition to the proposed geotechnical testing for the Olympic Way Retreat Center – UPR 09-20-014692 – Coastal Development Permit. The community is opposed to this project and there are many reasons why this project should not move forward including: 1) the land is Franciscan sandstone and unsound and not safe to build on 2)denying hundreds of people access to the space (especially during a pandemic and in the future) is hurtful to the community 3)a Christian retreat center is not inclusive of ALL of the community 4)it will be very disruptive to wildlife causing noise pollution and destruction of natural habitats 5) it will subject the horses at the stable to stress and noise pollution from very loud construction. Horses are flight animals and very easily scared by loud noises. If you have not visited this area, I invite you to do so and go and see it for yourself. This land is gorgeous and majestic. It is enjoyed by the community and a home for so much wildlife including owls and many species of birds. It is a refuge and should remain as it is, for the community to enjoy, undeveloped. The land is Franciscan sandstone and is visibly unstable and not suitable for building on. Prior projects have literally collapsed and crumbled and existing structures are on the verge of tumbling down the hill. Building a religious Christian Retreat Center is not inclusive of ALL of the community. Our communities have been experiencing so much division and we are in the middle of a raging pandemic. Living and acting in accordance with Christian values, means being inclusive of all community. Sand Hill Property should not be allowed to test or build on this beautiful and sacred site. The community that uses this space is overwhelmingly opposed to this project, and I believe I can speak on behalf of the wildlife and say that they want their home to be left as it is, undisturbed. Please listen to our voices and do not allow this project to move forward. Sincerely, Elizabeth Edmonds
Elizabeth Edmonds
Please read my comment into the record. This comment is intended to discuss the coastal development permit CDP UPR 09-20-014692. I believe it is in the public’s best interest not to grant this permit, nor any subsequent construction permits, associated with developing the Thornton Beach Bluffs area. This space is currently used extensively by the public for outdoor recreation, and as this council may be aware, the public has expressed nearly universal disapproval of the project. Mr. Steven Lynch’s assertion that the public was somehow OK with this project, as stated in the Nov. 17 city council meeting, is demonstrably false. Furthermore, I believe construction violates a number of local and state laws. For instance, the Bluff area is currently zoned as “light industrial”. Construction of a two-story, 50,000 square foot structure is hardly “light”, and would require a change to the local coastal plan zoning laws. These laws are as they are for good reason. I imagine that changing them over the objections of the public would set a dangerous precedent. I contend also that the motion to grant the testing permit was, in fact, already in violation of CEQA (the California Environmental Quality Act), owing to the proximity of the drill sites to the old barn. Construction on this site is very dangerous, because of extensive coastal erosion. I am also concerned about the taxpayer burden associated with the construction of new utility lines, which would necessary to support the proposed structure. A burden, it must be mentioned again, the taxpayers overwhelmingly object to shouldering.
Phillip Seitzer
Dear Honorable Daly City Council, I do not support the Olympic Way Retreat Center project and the CDP being issued for testing of the land which moves this project forward. I’ve been a resident of San Mateo County my entire life spanning 37 years. I currently live in the South San Francisco Westborough area and graduated from South San Francisco High School in 2001 and graduated from San Francisco State University in 2006 with a BA in Psychology. Like many other individuals in 2020 I have struggled with depression and anxiety during the Covid-19 public health crisis. Thornton Beach Bluff has helped my mental health by being an outdoor safe haven to visit and experience mother-nature to clear my mind. This bluff should remain open and accessible for all residents and visitors of San Mateo County. It should not be tarnished by construction and private development. Losing this beautiful open patch of nature would be a great loss for San Mateo County and all of its residents. Please read this into the open record.
Christopher Gavidia
My name is Hannah Blair, I live in Westlake and I’m asking you to vote NO on item #10! Daly City needs public open space, not a 50,000-square-foot event center built on unstable sand cliffs by an out-of-town developer. I walk to the beach almost every day, and I see joggers, dogwalkers and families out for much-needed fresh air. Everyone I’ve spoken to has been surprised and upset that this development is even being considered. Please do not allow it to go forward. Please vote no on item 10.
Hannah Blair
Dear Honorable Daly City Council, I oppose the Olympic Way Retreat Center project and CDP regarding testing of the land to move this project forward. My reasons are: 1) The need for open space, highlighted more urgently than ever before by COVID-19 for exercise, mental health, and physical safety and wellbeing. This property already is viewed as a physical, mental, and spiritual retreat by Daly City residents and Bay Area visitors. 2) Alignment with Daly City’s 2030 General Plan, which states the need to ensure open space, recreational opportunities, and the preservation of natural resources – and recognizes current system-wide deficiencies for these. 3) The land is unstable and unsafe. The coastal bluff from San Francisco to Pacifica regularly erodes, resulting in the loss of homes and apartment buildings. In 2019 the cliff at Fort Funston, just north of Thornton Beach, caved in on two women and a dog; one woman died. 4) Welfare of animals. The noise, vibration, and other disruption that digging and drilling during the period of geotechnical testing will cause to the horses at Mar Vista Stables and to the habitat of endangered species located on this property, such as the SF Garter Snake and CA Red Legged Frog, is unacceptable. As a 22-year resident of Daly City I welcome such a retreat center only if it is approved for a suitable location where the loss of open space and threat to animals and endangered species are uncompromised. I appreciate this opportunity to share my views with the Daly City Council. Sincerely, Lynette Cook
Lynette Cook
Please read this into the open record. I do not support the Olympic Way Retreat Center project and the CDP being issued for testing of the land which moves this project forward. My reasons are: (1) the land proposed for this project is a sandy, rapidly eroding bluff in an earthquake zone and any building/development would pose a danger to the public. (2) The cost of moving utilities under Skyline Blvd is prohibitive and would be a drain on scarce city financial resources. (3) The intent and nature of this project is not in line with the Local Coastal Plan for Daly City or the California Coastal Act. (4) The project is incompatible with the current zoning ordinances as C-1 Light Industrial. (5) This project is opposed by hundreds of Daly City residents (see https://www.change.org/p/california-coastal-commission-save-open-space-for-outdoor-recreation-at-thornton-beach-bluff-in-ca) This land should remain undeveloped as open space. Bluff should remain as open space for recreational use, to maintain views, “choose nature over development” for the California coast. I’m a newer resident of Daly City and fell in love with this beautifully preserved piece of nature. Preserve this land for the public please. Thank you for your consideration, Nichole Zuniga
Nichole Zuniga
Daly City Council- I wish to formally register my opposition to the proposed project, use permit and Coastal Development Permit for geotechnical subsurface investigation by Sand Hill Properties and ENGEO (Agenda Item #10). I echo the concerns with other local residents that the project takes away public access, impedes open space, is a violation of the current Daly City plan, and will not bring money into Daly City (being a nonprofit venture that will not bring in any taxable income to the city). Regarding the CEQA CATEX form that was used to allow the geotechnical testing: An Initial Study should have been used to addresss the socioeconomic hardship the testing would bring to the adjacent stable preventing safe trail rides and essentially shutting that stable down for two weeks. The SPCA should also have been coordinated with as one of the drill holes is adjacent to a corral of 30 horses. I suggest that the City ask ENGEO to pay for an SPCA or Humane society representative to monitor the horses well being during the drilling and stop drilling if they show signs of stress and agitation. If no such monitor is required and the horses in the corral spook and run into the fences and injure or kill themselves: Would Sandhill properties, ENGEO, Daly City or all three be liable for the injury/death of livestock under CA state livestock regulations during the geotechnical investigation? Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Holly Prohaska
I do not support the Olympic Way Retreat Center project and the CDP being issued for testing of the land which moves this project forward. My reasons are: (1) the land proposed for this project is a sandy, rapidly eroding bluff in an earthquake zone and any building/development would pose a danger to the public. (2) The cost of moving utilities under Skyline Blvd is prohibitive and a would be a drain on scarce city financial resources (3) The intent and nature of this project is not in line with the Local Coastal Plan for Daly City or the California Coastal Act (4) The project is incompatible with the current zoning ordinances as C-1 Light Industrial. (5) This project is opposed by hundreds of Daly City residents. This land should remain undeveloped as open space.
David Frankal
As 26 year residents of Westlake, our family opposes any development of the land next to the stables on Olympic way. The land should remain for recreational use and stay unspoiled. It is a beautiful part of our community and should not be ruined by a development. The development will bring extra traffic, noise and will be an eyesore to a quiet, beautiful neighborhood in wonderful Daly City. The land is naturally eroding and building on the cliff doesn’t seem a wise idea. Please keep things the way they are. Don’t take our few spots of nature and beauty away from us! Thank you for your time.
Kerryn Schwarz
I hope the Sand Hill plans for a wedding/convention center on the Thornton Beach bluffs doesn’t get past the soils engineers. Park visitors prefer the open space free of traffic, it’s peaceful and beautiful. Also, a convention center would bring too much traffic to the slopes, speeding up erosion. Not to mention the weight of the building and the underground infrastructure, like water pipes that can leak, causing sinkholes. The bluffs already seem to be eroding faster because of the dramatic increase in visitors, some of whom deepen and widen gullies by turning them into paths down to the beach, down the side of cliffs. I grew up in the area and I’ve seen the landslides that occur with big earthquakes. There are two old highways buried on lower terraces. There’s a large fenced off gully in front of the circular parking lot, that used to be a trail back in 1995 before the big earthquake. You can get an idea how much land slides. I’ve also seen a number of houses, cliff hangers, that eventually go down the cliffs, to the left of that same parking lot. My dad used to drive along Westlake streets to see the latest victims of erosion where the entire backyard is gone and the house is perched on the cliff’s edge. So many houses were lost. If some geologist gets a big bribe to approve the project, Sand Hill will make a profit selling the building or running the business. When the next big earthquake takes the building and the highway, Sand Hill will walk away with their profits and earthquake insurance proceeds. But our beautiful bluff and the protection for our highway and houses across the street, will be gone forever. Sand Hill probably never walked on the land, they probably have no idea how fragile those sand bluffs are. As to the community service of a beautiful wedding space, people can rent the beautiful new environmental sciences building at Skyline College. It has stunning views, ample parking, and it’s a perfect events space surrounded by nature.
Cheryl Richard
l do not support the Olympic Way Retreat Center project and the CDP being issued for testing of the land which moves this project forward. My reasons are: (1) the land proposed for this project is a sandy, rapidly eroding bluff in an earthquake zone and any building/development would pose a danger to the public. (2) The cost of moving utilities under Skyline Blvd is prohibitive and a would be a drain on scarce city financial resources (3) The intent and nature of this project is not in line with the Local Coastal Plan for Daly City or the California Coastal Act (4) The project is incompatible with the current zoning ordinances as C-1 Light Industrial. (5) This project is opposed by hundreds of Daly City residents including myself. This land should remain undeveloped as open space.
Daniel Franka
Dear Daly City Council, Regarding Agenda Item #10, I do not support the Olympic Way Retreat Center project and the CDP being issued for testing of the land which moves this project forward. My reasons are: (1) the land proposed for this project lies between Thornton Vista and Fort Funston and includes the main trail down to the beach that the public accesses. This is an area that has been long used by locals and bay area residents for dog walking, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, surfing, kiteboarding and paragliding. It has beautiful vast views and should remain as is, unspoiled and undeveloped for generations to enjoy. (2) The land is situated in an earthquake zone next to the San Andreas fault and with knowledge of a recent death due to the eroding sandy bluff this would not be an ideal location to build a huge facility. (3) This land homes fragmented habitats that exist in urban areas that provide a last refuge for many locally threatened plant and animal species otherwise absent from the surrounding urban matrix. These areas also improve connectivity between larger, more contiguous habitats in nearby parks and open space reserves. Preservation of these small patches is critical to the conservation of biodiversity in urban landscapes. (4) The intent and nature of this project is not in line with the Local Coastal Plan for Daly City or the California Coastal Act. (5) Is it really a religious retreat center? Do we need a retreat center at this location? Can’t they find somewhere else to build? (6) This project has been opposed by thousands of local residents (see https://www.change.org/p/california-coastal-commission-save-open-space-for-outdoor-recreation-at-thornton-beach-bluff-in-ca) This land should remain undeveloped. Thank you for your time and consideration, Kelley Zerga
Kelley Zerga
I do not support the Olympic Way Retreat Center project and the CDP being issued for testing of the land which moves this project forward. My reasons are: (1) the land proposed for this project is a sandy, rapidly eroding bluff in an earthquake zone and any building/development would pose a danger to the public. (2) The cost of moving utilities under Skyline Blvd is prohibitive and a would be a drain on scarce city financial resources (3) The intent and nature of this project is not in line with the Local Coastal Plan for Daly City or the California Coastal Act (4) The project is incompatible with the current zoning ordinances as C-1 Light Industrial. (5) This project is opposed by hundreds of Daly City residents (see https://www.change.org/p/california-coastal-commission-save-open-space-for-outdoor-recreation-at-thornton-beach-bluff-in-ca This land should remain undeveloped as open space. Thank you for your consideration.
Nicole Chen
I am writing to you today to urge you to vote against allowing developers to build a large, for-profit building on Thornton Beach bluff. I am a local neighboring resident who visits the bluff weekly; Thornton Beach bluff has connected me to other people who have formed my community. In my business, I serve residents of Daly City and San Francisco by walking dogs at Thornton Beach bluff. I contract two additional people, and this is a main source of our livelihood. We depend on using this space. It is not only the three of us, but upwards of 100 others like me whose livelihoods depend on this space as well, including Mar Vista Stables which has been in business for 100+ years. In addition, preserving natural spaces is one way we can impact the global climate crisis on a local level. Ten years of construction will deeply impact and permanently damage the wildlife ecosystem. The last two coyote families in the Bay Area, who keep the rat and vermin population under control, use this space for hunting and traveling. Ongoing construction will drive animals like nesting native birds and owls away with noise and disruption. So much has been taken away from the Bay Area wildlife. Let them keep this small habitat. If this building is approved, it is not just animals, but also the people of Daly City who will be negatively impacted. Making this area private will rob Daly City citizens of a space that generations of have enjoyed. This is everyone’s local park–not just a tourist destination. Fishermen, paragliders, and horseback riders come here; moreover, families and people with pets come here to enjoy the open space. The neighborhood deserves Thornton Beach bluff to be public. I am friends with people who live here and come everyday, and this is a HUGE part of their lives and why they’ve chosen to live in this area. A “retreat center” will only be for private use, a large building on unstable land. February of 2019 a woman named Kyra Scarlet was buried alive in a landslide less than a mile from the bluffs, it is a dangerous place to build. This “retreat center” will serve only a small percentage of people but will impact much more in comparison. Is taking people’s livelihoods, hurting the climate and ecosystem, and robbing the neighborhood of a community space, worth it? It is a very high price to pay. Let’s preserve Thornton Beach bluff–it is in these small steps we can make a difference in helping reduce our carbon footprint. Thank you or your consideration.
Sarah A Harrison
