Peggy - Vallco impact on air quality and pollutants for children and seniors

From: Peggy Griffin
Date: Sun, Nov 15, 2015 at 8:27 PM
Subject: [Better Cupertino WG] Vallco EIR Scoping Comments - impacts on Air Quality
To: Piu Ghosh <PiuG@cupertino.org>
Cc: Grace Schmidt <cityclerk@cupertino.org>

SUBJECT:  Vallco EIR Scoping Comments – impacts on AIR QUALITY

 

When studying all the impacts of air quality, please pay special attention to areas where the young, the elderly and the sick may be located such as:

·        Public schools
·        Private schools
·        Day cares
·        Pre-schools
·        Senior centers
·        Residential homes used as assisted living
·        Hospitals (Kaiser Hospital at Homestead and Lawrence Expressway for one)
·        Urgent care facilities
·        Parks and open areas where people congregate and exercise

 

Due to the close proximity of Vallco to Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose, the above sensitive areas should be considered regardless of the city it resides in but within a specified radius of at least 2 miles if not farther.  The material from the cement plant on the far west side of Cupertino finds its way to the east side of town.

 

1.      Vallco Shopping Mall was constructed  in the early 1970’s.  Asbestos was one of many materials used during that time in building materials.  The demolition of the existing mall will cause many of these materials to be released into the air.

 

Please study what materials, in addition to asbestos, will be in the structures to be demolished and their impacts on our air quality.

Please take into consideration the afternoon winds that often occur and the distance these materials can be carried throughout our city.

 

2.      During the construction of this project, a lot of dirt and trees are going to be dug up, a lot of cement and construction materials will be brought in and used.

 

Please study the possible materials found in the dirt that may be released into the air as a result of the excavation and removal process.

Please study what materials will be used, how they will be applied and their impacts on our air quality during the construction process.

 

3.      After construction, the project plans propose a huge “roof” over a large part of the area.   Odors, car exhaust, “breathing fumes” from new construction materials and from decaying materials can build up under the roof.

 

Please study the impacts of this roof on the air quality at all levels (floors) of the project from the deepest underground level to the floor just under the roof.

 

4.      Please study the impacts of items #1-3 on children and people with asthma.

 

Sincerely,

Peggy Griffin