|
Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 10/01/2008 11:59 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 10/01/2008 12:04 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
:
Responding to the Chamber of Commerce Board's "open letter"~By Lee and Kathy Mahew
"Keep It Rural, Calaveras was not surprised by the Chamber's endorsement of the proposed Trinitas project. We understand the Trinitas public relations campaign is in high gear, trying again to rush the project through without an adequate EIR. However, spin only goes so far, and the underlying reality is emerging....
We learned from the revised draft EIR that surface water will be required for any further development unless watering of the turf and greens is cut back. Surface water is not available, and there is only a marginal chance that it can be obtained in under ten years.
Irrigating the course may be harming the aquifer; it will take a five year study to know. Pumping tests to determine whether neighboring wells are being harmed were not done.
Traffic will more than double and contribute to the further deterioration of roads. Traffic mitigations would not happen for years unless the developer pays the entire cost.
The project will bring constant events and noise that are not compatible with surrounding working ranches and scattered quiet rural residences.
Environmental damage occurred when the golf course was constructed without required permits from regulatory agencies; immediate remediation has been requested.
The project will result in the permanent loss of agricultural and open space land, attracting commercial and residential development to a location lacking adequate infrastructure.
The glossy PR brochure put out by Trinitas offers no support for the exaggerated claims of economic benefit and fails to calculate the project's costs to the county in infrastructure and services.
We find it ironic that the Chamber touts the risk taking of the developer and ignores that his gamble has really put the well being of the surrounding community at risk. Any perceived delay has been caused by the developers constructing the golf course illegally and producing a deficient first draft EIR.
The Chamber claims to support sound planning and the integrity and efficiency of County processes, but ignores that building the golf course without public input or environmental review before securing the necessary entitlements circumvented that planning process.
Finally, the Chamber Board uses the popular phrase "private property rights" as if the concept trumps county and state laws, and exists for developers but not the ordinary citizens who own property impacted by development. We are surprised at the Chamber's demeaning attitude toward the many citizens of western Calaveras county who understand that the illegally built golf course is being used to pressure decision makers to approve a project that is bad for our area."
|
| What's Related |
| These might interest you as well
Calendar
Photo Albums
Local News
phpws Business Directory
|
|
|
