Stanford Open Space Alliance

P.O. Box 19742, Stanford, CA 94309 • (650) 223-3333 • SOS_Alliance@yahoo.com

In an effort to persuade Stanford University to set aside its land holdings in the foothills as permanent open space, the Stanford Open Space Alliance has submitted more than 3,000 signatures to the Stanford Board of Trustees.

"Our goal is to let the Trustees know how much the Stanford community values the foothills as open space," said Caneel Fraser, Student Coordinator of SOSA. "Many students assume the foothills are already protected. When they find out that they could eventually be developed, they're shocked and want to get involved."

"I would have gone to another school if I were a fan of crowded areas and concrete," said Rebecca Katz, a Stanford freshman. "A place with such amazing academic and financial resources should set an example for future development here and around the world."

Stanford's draft development application was submitted to Santa Clara County on September 20 and was harshly criticized for being vague and failing to address many of the community's concerns. Among other things, the plan calls for expanding the "core campus" to an area southwest of Junipero Serra Blvd., allowing 20,000 square feet of development in the foothills. It would also add 2 million square feet of academic and athletic structures to the campus, and between 2 and 3 million square feet of housing.

"It's important to emphasize that SOSA recognizes the need for housing," said Crystal Maglio, a Stanford freshman. "Our concern is that the development plan would add 2,200 people to Stanford's daily population, offsetting much of the gain in housing units."

"Four to five million square feet is a lot of development," said SOSA Coordinator, Peter Drekmeier. "It's the equivalent of three new Stanford Shopping Centers. As a trade-off for such massive development, we feel Stanford should set aside the foothills as permanent open space."

Stanford's final General Use Permit application is due to Santa Clara County on Monday, November 15. SOSA will hold a rally in White Plaza on campus next week to comment on the plan.

"We'll acknowledge Stanford's progress while pointing out areas of the plan that still need improvement," said Fraser. "We hope the Stanford Management Company will choose to make more efficient use of existing developed areas rather than sprawling out, assuring us that the foothills will be preserved in perpetuity."

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