After two groups mounted last-minute appeals to a plan to renovate Dolores Park, some were left shaking their heads at attempts to “hold up the entire park renovation.” At least one city official, however, has reportedly vowed to do what he can to keep the project moving forward.
As the Chron reports, one appeal was filed with the Planning Commission mere hours before the California Environmental Quality Act challenge deadline date of April 2.
Uptown Almanac shares the entire text of the environmental appeal filed by Dr. Claudia Praetel, who says she believes that the planned off-leash play areas for dogs limit the amount of space in which children can safely play. Her concerns point to the dreaded childhood obesity epidemic, because apparently the other 10+ acres of space is just not enough for kids these days.
According to Dolores Park Works, Praetel’s appeal isn’t the only objection filed against the $11.5 million bond project. San Francisco Architectural Heritage, a non-profit “charged to preserve and enhance San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity,” “is concerned the Plan does not go far enough in protecting the park’s historic resources and character,” Dolores Park Works reports.
Supervisor Scott Wiener, whose proposed legislation meant to enforce stricter time limits for the filing of environmental appeals has been the source of some controversy among his colleagues and the community, told the Chron “This is Dolores Park and every conceivable viewpoint was represented.”
“It’s challenging when you go through a broad-based design process and someone who’s unhappy with the result of that process appeals and potentially delays the project,” he said.
Dolores Park Works says that Wiener tells them that “he is confident that the six month community driven design process was through and democratic and he will defend The Plan.”
