The Mercury News editorial board reminded us all today that we should attend a workshop on Saturday to help shape the future of Coyote Valley in the editorial at http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/8149747.htm

The Mercury News says the plan for Coyote Valley must "have broad support" and the more people that participate, "the better the plan will be."

Coyote Valley had plans with broad support: the general plan and the master development plan. When the city council voted 11-0 to uphold these plans and deny Calpine's power plant, the Mercury News editorial board called on the five appointed commissioners of the California Energy Commission to override our local zoning laws. The end result is we now have a major power plant as the cornerstone of Coyote Valley.

At the CEC override hearing in March 2001 our Mayor said the power plant "would be detrimental to achieving our long-standing vision for the balanced development of the entire Coyote Valley area."

The editorial board wants Coyote Valley to be like Palo Alto. This does not appear to be possible as I have yet to find any plans for a 600 MW power plant in a Palo Alto neighborhood.