PHOTOS: Pete's Harbor Tenants Hold Fundraiser in Woodside

As many headed to the coast to watch the Mavericks competition, and even more were glued to a TV watching the 49ers beat the Falcons, a group of current and former tenants of Pete's Harbor gathered for a celebration of their own at Pioneer Saloon in Woodside Sunday.

For many, it was the first time they had seen each other since the eviction and shut-down process of the harbor began taking place over the past few months.

Their purpose was not only to visit with each other and have a good time, but also to raise money for their continued fight to save the harbor from being sold and privatized by surviving owner Paula Uccelli to Colorado-based developer Pauls Corporation, which hopes to build luxury condos along the water. 

The developer has stated that all slips at the marina will belong to the tenants of the new homes, so Uccelli served all residents and the marina's few businesses with eviction notices, asking them to be out by last Tuesday, Jan. 15.

To raise money, Redwood City restaurants like Margarita's and Yokohama donated gift certificates, and jewelry maker Masha Archer donated some of her pieces to a raffle.

Fittingly, the band Eviction Notice, which includes Pete's Harbor residents, played music that got the crowd up and dancing throughout the afternoon.

All in all, members of Save Pete's Harbor told Patch around $2,000 was raised at the event.

Member Leslie Webster said the goal of the fundraiser was to raise $5,000 in hopes of hiring a legal firm to help them prepare for their upcoming appeal hearing in front of the Redwood City Planning Commission, scheduled for next week on Jan. 28, as well as dealing with the State Lands Commission, which owns the outer harbor of Pete's Harbor.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously on Oct. 30 in favor of allowing the proposed development by Pauls Corporation. In defense of their position, commissioners said it is not within their purview to come between a property owner and his or her tenants, and that selling their property is within any property owner's rights. They said, their only job was to evaluate "the merit of a development" and whether it is good for the city.

Not long after, Save Pete's Harbor filed an appeal of that decision. On Jan. 28, they will be given the opportunity to defend their position against representatives of the proposed development.

Webster and another member, Alison Madden, said, though they may not be able to get the legal assistance they had hoped before the appeal hearing, the money will still benefit their cause by funding judicial measures and other forms of advocacy, purchasing materials such as paper and copies, covering costs to travel to Sacramento to attend meetings of the State Lands Commission, and will perhaps enable them to continue their fight even past the appeal hearing, depending on the outcome.

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