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Greenbelt Alliance In the News

October 20, 2004

Foes doubt new plan for lagoon

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Members of environmental groups opposed to development in Lagoon Valley do not trust an alternative plan for the valley brought forward late last week by Triad Communities.

Meanwhile, a Triad official said the developer only wants to give the city the best project possible.

Seattle-based Triad has approached the city with a new plan in the event Vacaville voters support two referendums in a March 8 special election questioning the City Council's approval of a general plan amendment and a Lagoon Valley Specific Plan for the 1,300-home development. The new plan would decrease the number of homes to 1,025. Either plan would encompass a golf course.

The referendums are the result of Friends of Lagoon Valley's weeks-long petition drive. Marian Conning, of Friends of Lagoon Valley, said she was "puzzled" by the new plan. Conning questioned the feasibility of constructing fewer homes while still paying the same amount for infrastructure.

"I find myself wondering why all of a sudden they seem to have found a way to do it. I wonder if they're not just using the specter of the 1991 plan to scare folks into voting for the 2004 plan," Conning said. She further said she is suspicious of the new plan.

"I don't think they plan to do what they say. I don't think they can develop the valley according to the 1991 plan."

Triad Executive Vice President Curt Johansen said Triad is not employing scare tactics.

"We don't subscribe to scar- ing people," Johansen said. "We always intended to proceed with the (1991) approved project if ours, for some reason, does not survive the referendum. We are trying to do the best project for the city of Vacaville."

Brent Schoradt, Napa-Solano County Field Representative of Greenbelt Alliance, called the new plan "questionable." Greenbelt Alliance is suing the city over the environmental analysis of Triad's first proposal.

"It seems like Triad is trying to do anything possible (to develop Lagoon Valley). They are not going to be successful unless they reach out to the community," Schoradt said.

Aside from the obvious differences in the number of homes, Triad's new plan could include a business village and a church. It does not, however, include plans for a school.

City staff is reviewing the new plan to ensure it is complete. Triad's proposal earlier this year was praised by City Council members for the pledge of funding to clean up the lake. It is not known yet whether a proposal to clean Lagoon Valley is included in the new plans.

"It's still being talked about," City Planner Scott Sexton said.

Johansen said Triad also is working to determine whether or not it can provide a fire station and other public benefits.

"It may be that it is less profitable for us, but we care about leaving the best project for the city of Vacaville," Johansen said.

Ongoing discussions about funding for the lake was not a factor for Schoradt.

"We think development in Lagoon Valley is a bad idea. It was a bad idea in 1993 and it is a bad idea now. The extra funding doesn't necessarily make it a good project," Schoradt said.

The special election has taken a back seat to the November election. Johansen said it is "reasonable" to assume that Triad will provide information to residents before the special election. Friends of Lagoon Valley also plans on providing information to voters at a later time. The group plans on campaigning for the referendums as soon as the local election is over.

Patricia Valenzuela can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.com.

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