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Home Resource Center In the News Home Greenbelt Alliance in the News |
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Greenbelt Alliance In the News
June 9, 2003 LAND DECISIONS
COLUMN: Let the Public Speak JOANNE DRANGINIS, Madrone Audubon Society, Santa RosaEDITOR: Ignorance is bliss for the Sonoma County Supervisors when there is no press coverage on important land-use decisions. It was Madrone Audubon Society that appealed the county's decision to allow the Saddle Mountain Ranch subdivision to move forward into the ridges and valleys of the Mark West Creek watershed. Twenty speakers and countless neighbors and citizens packed the chambers May 27, for a two and a half hour hearing in support of the appeal calling for a denial of the project until up-to-date environmental analysis could be accomplished. The Environmental Impact Report that was the basis for evaluating the impacts to the major subdivision is 25 years old. Among the speakers were representatives from Trout Unlimited, Greenbelt Alliance, Housing Advocacy Group (HAG), Sierra Club and California Native Plant Society. Madrone wishes to thank them all for their support. The only speakers for the owner of the Saddle Mountain Ranch were two lawyers. The supervisors voted 3-2 in favor of the project, which would allow 29 mansions on large parcels in the heart of this steelhead spawning ground. Supervisors Brown and Reilly voted in support of the appeal. Now it remains to be seen if the owner of the property will follow through on his intentions to sell to the Open Space District. With approvals from the Board of Supervisors now in place, the land has greater value and will no doubt fetch a handsome price. ### |
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