The story does not mention that the Sheridan Drive property is adjacent to San Mateo County's Flood Park. The County's "Reimagining Flood Park" plan has proposed to remove a large number of healthy trees, many heritage oaks, to construct a soccer field in the park. An alternative would be for the County to arrange a land transfer with the Ravenswood School district, add this property to the park, and use it to construct athletic fields.

Chuckling a lot at the idea of adding someone else’s land for sports use instead of housing.

I think a 90 year lease is irresponsible. No mention of number of units, but for a developer to get a return on a $50M to $60M investment, they are typically looking at a high rate of return: $150M, $200M or higher. That does not equate to ‘affordable housing’ rents, which for a median household income of $57k, a max monthly rent of $1,400. Doing just raw math, that means if 50 affordable housing units were built on this parcel for families in that median income, a total property annual income of only $855K ; in other words, it would take over 60 years to even get close to a break even. That raw calculation does not include all of the annual costs associated with the property - maintenance, cost of money, major repairs, and the life expectancy of the buildings. Doesn't add up!

This location is not a good location for affordable housing nor homeless shelter: It is not close to retail, no public transit, and next to the pollution of Hwy 101. What will be the impact of all the hundreds of traffic trips per day from the new residents, delivery trucks, service vehicles, etc on the Suburban Park neighborhood?

It seems that it would be much better for the school district to have school property be used for the betterment of the district youth. The district’s service area is already deprived of green space, trees, and outdoor sports fields for family and students. Making this a sports field keeps with the district’s fiduciary responsibility of servicing youth. Thousands of youth would benefit from this property being green space with a sports field over the coming decades. And, in 10 or 20 years, having this property as green space retains the option and flexibility for the district to then make decisions that best benefit the school district at that point in time.

Yes we need affordable housing and yes, we also need more green space and available outdoor sports for the future population served by the District.

See FloodPark.org/school

Use of the Flood School site should include consideration of its adjacency to Flood Park (which is undergoing planning for improvements). Current discussions concern removal of many trees, including in native oak woodlands, for replacement with a playing field. Is adding housing while at the same time reducing beneficial green space available to those residents as well as other neighbors, such a good thing?

Dear Almanac: Your links in this article to more information on this project do not work. Can you let me know how to find out more information on the Flood Park plan for the 3-4 story apartment building? Thank you.