Big bucks spent on EDC growth initiatives
By Peter Hecht, Sacramento Bee
Building and real estate interests, led by the developer of the Serrano El Dorado Hills community, have dumped more than $1million into the campaign to defeat growth control ballot measures in El Dorado County.
Parker Development Co., builder of the 4,700-home Serrano community, has donated $866,750 through its affiliates, Serrano Associates and Marble Valley Co., to campaign committees opposing local November ballot initiatives M, N and O. The money has helped bankroll a blitz of mailers as well as anti-initiative television commercials during the World Series.
Parker Development is seeking county zoning changes to build 3,236 homes and townhouses and retail and event centers in a development called the Village of Marble Valley, planned for oak-studded hills south of Highway 50 in El Dorado Hills. In addition, the company is hoping to win approval to build 1,028 homes and townhouses on the site of the former El Dorado Hills golf course and a second location in the community.
A ballot measure backed by growth control advocates – Measure M – could challenge Parker Development’s plans. Measure M would ban any new residential subdivisions in the county if the California Department of Transportation determines that any stretch of Highway 50 west of Placerville is at or is forecast to reach gridlock traffic levels. The measure also would prevent the county from rezoning rural residential properties for higher-density housing construction.
Another growth restricting initiative, Measure O, qualified for the ballot thanks to a grass-roots movement of residents fighting a proposed 1,045-home subdivision, San Stino, near Shingle Springs communities of mostly 5-acre parcels. Measure O seeks to amend the general plan to effectively stop San Stino and similar building plans by restricting higher-density residential construction in Shingle Springs, Camino, Pollock Pines and parts of El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park.
A third initiative, Measure N, was put on the ballot by a Sacramento commercial builders alliance, Region Builders. Measure N would extend for 25 years the provisions of a 1998 voter-approved measure that imposed steep traffic impact fees on subdivision developers. But Measure N also proposes allowing local county road funds to be used for improvements to Highway 50, a move seen by opponents as a potential boon for commercial building in the freeway corridor.
These measures mandating slow growth are major quality of life protectors which will protect the county’s water and roads county wide as well as the county budget by not having to pay for the infrastructure and water lines and new roads. Developers are throwing in huge sums of money against the people who live and vote where these developers want to ruin entire areas with high density rezone subdivisions that people don’t want. All voters should support these measures by the people against corrupt developers and their paid pawns.
Justice, that’s an awfully liberal/environmental viewpoint!
Being a conservative in this case means conserving the land, water, and county finances. I am all for the conserving of the county for many reasons and quality of life issues for everyone and for all of the reasons people live here and not in an urban place they left.
Please take the time to read the entire story. What was not written with concerns to District V is that I am part of the grass roots effort and will be supporting the M N O. The El Dorado Chamber is not supporting me because of that. Follow the money and endorsements and remember to vote Nov 4
It should be clarified that only M and O are true citizen petitions, N was put out by Region Builders to confuse people. People who want to protect the county are for the most part, supporting M and O only.
There’s no ‘smart growth’ about it. Yes on M and O, the true citizen based, community petitions, and No on N (we agree N was put out to confuse people). It seems all west slope communities are fighting against big developers with deep pockets and endless media experts. Plus, just how much more traffic can 50 handle?
Um Kenny, you should actually read the Measures first before you post to this blog. M and O are the slow growth Measures, N is meant to muddy the water.
Um: I understand that and I have read the measures M & N as the authors are supporting me in Pollock Pines as I will support them.
Redone: Please take the time to read the entire story. What was not written with concerns to District V is that I am part of the grass roots effort and will be supporting the M N. The El Dorado Chamber is not supporting me because of that. Follow the money and endorsements and remember to vote Nov 4
Remember To Vote Remember To Vote Remember To Vote
If you have an absentee ballot and have not mailed it in, there is still a way to make sure your vote is counted! You can turn in your ballot at any precinct location on Tuesday. All precincts are open from 7 am to 8 pm. You can also hand deliver your ballot to the El Dorado County Elections Department, 2850 Fairlane Ct., Placerville or the El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk’s Office, 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite 108, South Lake Tahoe. Ballots must be received by the Elections Department no later than 8 pm on Tuesday.
Below is a list of all locations in El Dorado County’s District V:
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
– California Conservation Corps (CCC) – Meyers – 1949 Apache Dr.
– South Lake Tahoe Airport – 1901 Airport Rd.
– Sierra House Elementary School – 1709 Remington Trail (off Pioneer Trail)
– Calvary Chapel – 807 Emerald Bay Rd.
– South Shore Christian Assembly – 886 Glorene Ave.
– Presbyterian Church – 2733 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
– Lake Tahoe Commmunity College Aspen Room – 1 College Dr.
– Lake Tahoe Christian Fellowship – 3580 Blackwood Rd.
POLLOCK PINES
– Gold Ridge Forest Lodge – 4101 Opal Trail
– Pollock Pines Community Church – 6361 Pony Express Trail
– Sly Park Outdoor Education Center – 5600 Sly Park Road
Kenny, Measure N was placed on the ballet via the Region Builders PAC out of Sacramento. Apparently, Region Builders has not done much with Measure N except get it on the Ballot. Parker Development via Serrano Associates and Marble Valley Company are spending close to $900,000 to defeat Measures M and O.