Condo Development Grievance Letter

----- Original Message -----

From: A Y

Sent: 10/8/2007 9:35:23 AM

To: lgullone@folsom.ca.us

Cc: themayor@folsom.ca.us; andy@themorins.com; eric@ericking.org; corrprincess@ardennet.com; admindept@folsom.ca.us; sbanks@folsom.ca.us; etscott@sbcglobal.net; johna@bentleymortgage.net; mgordon@cwnet.com; Greg.Eldridge@ch2m.com; pwarholic@calhomenet.com

Subject: Trilogy Condominium Project

Dear. Ms. Gullone,

I am writing with regards to the Trilogy Condominium project which is currently under review.

I have attached a letter with my concerns. Please feel free to forward it onto any individuals that I may have missed.

Thank you.

Regards,
A Y

Attachments: Condo Development Grievance Letter.doc (28 KB)

(EDITOR'S NOTE: See copy of attached letter displayed below)


A Y

October 8, 2007

Dear Ms. Gullone,

I am writing this letter to express my concern and displeasure over the Pacific
West Homes' Trilogy Condominium Proposal slated for the corner of East Natoma and Golf Links Road in Folsom.

While I can understand the developers desire to provide affordable housing, it
is not what the Empire Ranch community needs or wants. My understanding is that this parcel of land was initially supposed to be a small community retail center; then it was to be a utility sub-station and now we are being told a high density housing complex. The latter being the least desirable.

The problems I feel are at the forefront and, in all likelihood, also the opinion
of others whom are against this development are:

• High density housing in an area that the Empire Ranch builders had zoned for COMMERCIAL USE is a misrepresentation of this community:
  
  
  • Condominiums were never disclosed as a possibility when most Empire Ranch home owners purchased their homes
  
  
  • Condominiums do not fit into the landscape of Empire Ranch – condo buyers can go down the street to Rivage
  
  


• Additional housing in a market that is already over saturated will only fuel the problem


• Our weak housing market (from a seller's standpoint) is only going to be prolonged by the addition of these units


• These condos would affect existing property values and especially so if the condominiums remained unoccupied


• Higher risk to the children walking or biking to/from school


• Additional children seeking placement at Empire Oaks (which is already severely impacted) will not make the situation any better
  
  
  • Our classrooms are max’d out. Where do these children go without displacing those that are already there?
  
  


• Increase in traffic volume
  
  
  • Lack of parking which is usually typical for these types of complexes results in overflow to the street
  
  
  • Morning and afternoon traffic jams due to school drop-off/pick-up will be made worse
  
  
  • We already have enough impatient drivers trying to side skirt cars and speed up and down the roadways; we do not need more of this
  
  
  • We will most likely end up with impatient condo-owners trying to get in/out of the complex during peak traffic periods
  
  
  • Vehicle access is restricted due to the islands on both East Natoma and Golf Links – this again will result in traffic problems because of the need for U-Turns and such to access the complex
  
  


• Higher incidence of theft and vandalism is documented in California wherever high density housing is available
  
  
  • Not only are we potentially looking at an increase in theft/vandalism within the complex, but in the surrounding neighborhoods
  
  
  • Additional cars parked in the streets overnight entices criminal activity and increases the number of cars that are vandalized
  
  

Like many others I would not be so opposed to additional housing if:

• It fit into the scope and aesthetics of Empire Ranch


• It did not impact the safety of our children


• It did not impact the current "way of life"


• It would not impact property values


• It did not impact traffic

How could this be achieved? Instead of high density "affordable" housing what about:

• Single story "low density" luxury condominium units as has been suggested by others, or


• A Senior "low density" residential complex with transportation services (to minimize traffic impact), or


• Smaller village of single family homes

I hope the above will be taken into consideration and that the developer will
re-evaluate their current plans.


Sincerely,

A Y

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is an outstanding letter, written with much thought and consideration. Hopefully AY will be able to attend the Architectural Review Commission meeting on Thursday, October 25th at 07:30 in the morning to present this viewpoint in person. However, even if someone does not have the time to express all of his or her thoughts like AY has done, please take the time to send a brief summary of your thoughts to City Staff and all the related City officials. Every voice counts. The more letters and e-mail they get objecting to this project, the better our chances of defeating it as it now stands. Thank you.

Patrick Warholic

Folsom Luxury Homes
Contact Patrick for Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and Granite Bay homes and land.


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