HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Pamela Posey 09.01.08 - Doe Mill Pamela Posey September 1, 2008
5342 La Playa Court (Butte Creek Canyon)
Chico, CA 95928
To the Butte County Board of Supervisors:
You have been presented with a plan for the Doe Mill/ Honey Run Study Area 9 of proposed
development that is quite seductive. You the board of supervisors, Chico City Council members,
and planning commissioners, have been taken on ATV rides, given a glossy, colorful booklet full of
plans, maps, photos, and have heard the flattering talk, full of all the politically correct buzz words
regarding `good' development. Schuster and Brouhard have done their homework well.
However, as you already know, there is so much more at stake than the pretty picture these
developers have painted. I realize that you have already voted on your recommendation for Study
Area 9, but I ask you this: do the proposed plans of Steven Schuster that would affect currently
existing homes, access, and viewshed include good planning principles for:
• a sustainable climate including reduced greenhouse gas emissions due to increased traffic,
• watershed protection and groundwater recharge (Tuscan formation,),
• wildlife corridor,urban runoff into wetland corridors,
• protections of endangered species (plants, animals, fish),
• fire danger/protection (in the path of wildland fire storms),
• police protection,
• septic/sewage issues (lava cap),
• quality of life (the rural attractiveness of Chico and Butte County),
• leapfrog development (the adjacent Schmidbauer property cannot be developed),
• retail activities (Doe Mill Ridge development has unfulfilled retail plans),
• the actual need for single family homes (there are several incomplete developments in
existence, as well as the recently approved Tuscan Village and Meriam Park subdivisions),
• the lack of projected population growth
• the acknowledgment of the 1994 Chico General Plan has not yet met the 1994 projections
(with the emphasis on the `infill' of existing neighborhoods)
• the realization of the financial situation of the city of Chico and Butte County
• And finally who's going to guarantee that the parks, greenways, Mt. bike courses, etc. will be
built by the developer who buys this land from Schuster once he gets the zoning changes
he's after?
In addition to the above question, Schuster's seduction also runs contrary to the important
issues identified by the residents of Chico as conducted in surveys by the City of Chico. These
issues relate to public safety, growth and development, and the environment. Most frequently
mentioned as the "most important issues" were the growth of housing and traffic congestion, the
environment , and the management of growth and development as a higher priority than
encouraging additionai growth and development. Among tie "relatively most important issues"
were reducing traffic congestion, preventing the loss of farm and ranch land and preserving open
spaces. In contrast, among the "least important" issues were developing single family homes, and
additional retail businesses and restaurants.
Put the seductive voice of Steve Schuster aside and listen to the voice of the people
of the Butte Creek Canyon, the voice of the people of Chico and of Butte County, and the voice of
facts that speak for themselves. Keep this beautiful, wild, and pristine land in its virginal state.
Thank you,
Pamela Posey