Brisbane Quarry Nov 2025
- Cottonwood Design
- Nov 21
- 3 min read
Mountain Butterfly Collective Newsletter
November 18, 2025
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We now have a website! Mountainbutterfly.org
There you can sign up to our newsletter/blog and see current projects.
Coming soon: New Bay Checkerspot sticker and San Bruno Mountain Perfume
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Brisbane Quarry
Wrong project in the Wrong place
MBC still believes that it's time to heal the Heart of the Mountain instead of development. (Below read the new Quarry project description)
Do you want a data center/advance manufacturing in the heart of San Bruno MT park?
Orchard Partners rewrote the project description as a smaller building and did not make many new changes from peoples comments. If Brisbane Planning Commission and Council approves the new description then Orchard Partners does not need a new EIR. If Brisbane asked for a new EIR then it might take another year for the vote.
Our concern is that changing from shipping to a datacenter and advance manufacturing is huge. It would seem that Brisbane Council members need more information about the changes in a second EIR. Orchard Partners states in their project description compared with their EIR that “Actual building sizes and uses may vary within expected ranges but are not anticipated to substantially alter the environmental analysis.”
Here is the chart in their project description that states it could be a data center or other uses although they state it will not be a data center:
Orchard Partners will be renting the buildings therefore we will have no control on who rents the datacenter or advance manufacturing buildings. How long will the renters last?
Do you want money in exchange for destroying endangered butterflies and their
habitats? Money that San Bruno Park might not even get?
The 1.8 million for the HCP can be used for all San Mateo parks not just SBM. San Mateo
parks is rewriting the HCP to receive this money in exchange for habitat loss. (ITP) Incidental take permit. Basically, Oops, I grated 2 acres of native butterfly habitat by mistake- Oh well. Sorry, so here is the money.
Orchard Partners photo of the quarry site shows the removal of native grassland on the north westside of the quarry as flatten dirt. There is native grassland with endangered butterfly habitat on the hill. Will it be destroyed?
A road destroying “Priority 2 areas cover additional grassland habitat and areas of grassland habitat that have converted to coastal scrub since the HCP was adopted.” "These areas often provide important movement corridors for listed butterflies.”
Datacenter and Advance Manufacturing Facts:
• Data centers make noise and vibrate 24/7 from cooling systems and backup
generators. Humming sound have caused people to move, causes anxiety.
• Usually data centers are in clusters so opening one can create more. It is built where there is lots of electricity and water for cooling.
• Lights will be on 24/7
• Diesel pollution will be an issue from the backup generators.
• Water concerns: Possible: 500,000 gallons of water a day. The water permit was left out of the EIR so the renter needs to figure the water issue later.
• Construction will last at least 3 years
• EIR states it can operate 24/7
• Sediment in ground water from construction.
• What was mined in the Quarry and what sediment will drain into the bay?
• Could be any company from melting plastic to computer chips.
• How much noise will the company create?
• Value of nearby homes will decrease
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If you are concern, write to the Planning Commission who is looking over the project
description right now. They will have public comment periods in the Spring 2026 before they vote and if approved than the Brisbane Council will vote.
Send emails to:
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Check out a wonderful article about the Elfin Butterfly!
From Alexandra Mendoza, Environmental Associate with the Green Foothills "Green
Foothills is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect local nature and
farmland to ensure a healthy environment for everyone. It does this through advocacy,
education, and grassroots action focused on San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Benito
Counties. Learn more at greenfoothills.org."
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Thank you, Mountain Butterfly Collective MBC
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