Politics & Government

A Roundup of Oct. 19 Special City Council, Planning Commission Meetings

The proceedings of the meetings included moving forward with hiring a construction firm to repair retaining walls and slopes damaged in the Sept. 9 fire as well as allowing a fitness company to open a personal training studio at the former Crestmoor Hig

Here is a roundup of tonight's special City Council and Planning Commission meetings.

Construction firm chosen to repair retaining walls near canyon

The council unanimously adopted a resolution to allow City Manager Connie Jackson enter into an agreement with Trinet Construction to repair slopes and retaining walls near Crestmoor Canyon that were damaged by the Sept. 9 fire.

Find out what's happening in San Brunowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At a cost of $809,700, Trinet is expected to repair a section of retaining wall behind the homes of 1630, 1636 and 1642 Claremont Drive as well as a retaining wall that wraps around the corner of 970 Glenview Drive.

As part of the agreement, the construction firm is expected to begin work within a week and complete the repairs by Nov. 15 or face fines of $5,000 a day. This stipulation is meant to provide an incentive to finish the repairs before the rainy season hits, which could further erode the soil that has been left since the disaster.

Find out what's happening in San Brunowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

New fitness gym at former Crestmoor High site

The Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for The Fitness Tech, a small personal training studio that just opened in a room at the former Crestmoor High School site.

The owners of the gym had already received approval from the San Mateo Union High School District to use the space, so The Fitness Tech has been operating there since April.

However, once the owners realized the city required a more formal process, they went through the necessary steps. The trainers, who work with about 30 people, run the gym Monday-Saturday.

The site is also home to Peninsula High School and Crayon College.

Update on rebuilding process following fire

Community Development Director Aaron Aknin also gave an update about some new developments related to the Crestmoor explosion. When asked by a planning commissioner about soil erosion in the neighborhood, Aknin said the soil would be tested as part of the permit process once people start submitting plans to rebuild.

But he cautioned that the process could take a while because testing expedited without proper review could lead to more problems for people when they try to rebuild.

Aknin also said Pacific Gas & Electric Co. distributed a packet to the city today that detailed the utility's proposed buyout program, which was reported in the San Francisco Chronicle and San Mateo County Times. The packet is now available at City Hall, Aknin said.


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