Brisbane approves development in endangered butterfly habitat

BRISBANE -- Claiming it is for the greater good, City Council members have unanimously approved a private developer's proposal to build 71 homes on San Bruno Mountain's butterfly habitat.

The vote came down late Monday night after a number of residents argued that further development on the ridge will push the callippe silverspot butterfly into extinction. The butterfly was put on the federal Endangered Species List in 1997.

But their pleas were not enough to sway the council.

"At this late stage, it's tough to say 'no,'" Councilman Cy Bologoff said before voting in favor of the development.

Now it is up to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to issue the necessary permits. The agency is working on its own environmental assessment report and is expected to make it public in a couple of months, said Ken McIntire, executive director of San Bruno Mountain Watch.

Under the Brookfield Homes proposal, the San Mateo County Habitat Trust would be guaranteed a $4 million endowment from the developer to maintain the northeast ridge south of Guadalupe Canyon Parkway.New residents would have to pay $800 a year to fund preservation efforts.

"The $4 million endowment fund would enhance the endangered species in ways of research and battling invasive species," said Councilman Clarke Conway. "I think the greatest good would be served by approving this. I believe that with all my heart."

At the meeting, the council certified a 2007 addendum to an environmental impact report from 1983 and approved a modified "vesting tentative map" that outlines where the developer can build and where conserved habitats are allowed.

The 2007 map is an improvement over a 1989 version that allowed 168 housing units, according to city staff. The newer map increases the size of undisturbed land and preserves a large area of grassland that includes hilltop butterfly habitat.

The city Planning Commission voted against the project in October.

Under the original conservation plan, three communities with 411 housing units were built on the ridge. Brookfield Homes has developmental rights to build on the remaining 20 acres of vacant land.

On Monday, San Bruno Mountain Watch filed a suit against the developer for violating the Clean Water Act. The suit was filed by Lawyers for Clean Water and the Law Offices of Brian Gaffney.

According to the watchdog group, Brookfield's construction on the ridge discharged high levels of sediment and silt into storm drains, the Brisbane Lagoon and San Francisco Bay during recent winter storms.

The group's lab tests showed that Brookfield violated the Clean Water Act, said McIntire, who added that the group's board of directors will decide how to respond to Monday's decision.

David Schooley -- who was a member in the 1970s of the Save San Bruno Committee -- was not surprised by the council's approval of the new Brookfield project. The former Brisbane resident said the conservation plan allows the further eradication of endangered species.

"It's a mass destruction of our rare and endangered species on San Bruno Mountain," Schooley said.

Staff writer Christine Morente covers faith, families and North County. She can be reached at (650) 348-4333 or at cmorente@bayareanewsgroup.com.

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