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Greenbelt Alliance In the News

February 9, 2003

Lagoon Valley proposal goes before board

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Vacaville's City Council will decide Tuesday if a preliminary plan to build a golf course, sprawling luxury housing and business park in Lower Lagoon Valley has sufficient merit to initiate further study.

Few signs indicate the five-member panel would dismiss the proposal.

Yet, a stream of impassioned residents bent on preserving natural grasslands in the area are expected to arrive in force to convince the group otherwise.

"We are going to give them everything we've got," said Tandra Clement, founder of Lagoon Valley Youth Alliance.

City staff has stressed a passing vote would solely initiate a General Plan amendment and allow the developer to conduct crucial environmental and traffic impact studies. An environmental report would take a minimum of nine months to a year to complete, Deputy City Manager Ron Rowland said.

Seattle-based Triad Communities wants to build some 1,300 homes that range from townhouses and apartments to spacious one-acre lots and executive housing located in three residential "villages" interwoven by an 18-hole "championship" golf course.

There would also be some 80 acres for an office business park.

In all, the project would cover 730 acres of privately-owned property that borders Lagoon Valley Regional Park, southeast of Interstate 80.

Preliminary plans also call for a fire station, a school and freeway interchange improvements, and a significant corridor of open space along the freeway.

The City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 650 Merchant St.

More than 100 area residents recently attended a neighborhood meeting where the representatives for Triad unveiled the ambitious proposal.

Many expressed concerns for the many species of animals that flourish in the natural habitat. Others voiced fears that the project would cater to people who don't live in the area.

Opponents include the grassroots citizens groups Friends of Lagoon Valley and Lagoon Valley Youth Alliance, as well as the environmental advocates Greenbelt Alliance and Solano County Orderly Growth Committee.

Deputy City Manager Ron Rowland said Triad would be responsible for service and traffic improvements through development fees if the project is ultimately approved.

Rowland said there is the potential for more than 3,000 jobs.

He emphasized that any development would cover only private land, not current open space, which would increase under Triad's proposal.

Triad would make a financial contribution of $4 million to $5 million for the restoration of Lagoon Lake and improvements to Lagoon Valley Park. The improvements include additional trails, wharf and fishing pier for the lake, enhanced restroom facilities, new playground equipment and picnic facilities.
Triad also would pay the full cost of providing police and fire services to the valley, including the construction and annual operating costs of a new fire station.


Kevin Clerici can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.com.

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