By Joan Riback
More than 100 residents came to the Forestville Planning Associations January Town Meeting to learn the current status of the issues facing Forestville and to learn how they, as concerned community citizens can influence those issues. Half of the meeting was devoted to the Low Flow proposal for the Russian River covered elsewhere in this issue of the Gazette. Here is a summary of Forestville’s current development projects.
UPDATE
The first hour of the Town Meeting focused on the future developments facing Forestville and how local residents can influence those decisions. The updated issues covered at our Town Meeting are the status of the EIRs for the quarry expansions, Burbank Housing development (Meadowlark), a new housing development across from Speers market (Woodstone), the Crinella property development, the proposed bypass, a requested carwash next to Sequoia Realty, and the Low Flow issue. Supervisor Mike Reilly, Chaney Delaire, Senior Project Manager with Burbank Housing Development Corporation and Harvey Chernofsky, developer of the Woodstone housing development contributed to those updates.
Quarry Expansions: Both quarries have requested expansions. Canyon Rock is requesting an expansion of the area to be quarried and BoDean is requesting an expansion in production. The county is currently preparing Environmental Impact Reports on both requests. The following is the decision making process with opportunities for community input. Articles on these expansions and an eventual link to the EIRs can be found on our website: www.forestvillefpa.org.
Process for community input: The EIR is currently expected in March with a minimum of 30 days to respond. There will be one public hearing scheduled with the Planning Commission. Written feedback is considered valuable. A recommendation from the Planning Commission goes to the Board of Supervisors. The Supervisors will hold public meeting for input to the whole review package. The ultimate decision lies with Board of Supervisors.
Burbank Housing: An affordable housing development has been approved for Forestville. An article on this development was printed in the Gazette and can be found on our website www.forestvillefpa.org. At a Feb. 3 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved the general plan amendment, zoning change and major subdivision and design review for 30 attached and detached single family dwellings on a 5-0 vote. Burbank is hoping to break ground on this project this summer with the first home completed in late 2005. For more information or applications you can call 526-9782. We encourage Forestville residents interested in buying one of these homes to be first in line.
Woodstone Development: This housing development for 7 “mid-priced” single family dwellings, 2 “affordable” attached homes, and two over- garage granny units are proposed for the lot just Northwest of Speers Market, at the corner of Mirabel at Trenton Road. To be approved, this development will require a General Plan Amendment with at least 2 public hearings and a full drainage review by the Planning and Resource Management Department, as the property is bordered by a ditch that drains directly into the river.
Crinella Property Development: The Crinellas have created a partnership with Orin Theissen to develop their property. The new plans are a somewhat scaled down and modified version of what Orin has done in Windsor. He is planning a real town square surrounded by historical styled two story buildings; shops with living quarters above. PRMD is waiting for modifications of their current application. Once the modifications are submitted, the application review normally takes about 60 days. That will be followed by a Project Study Plan. The needed studies will be determined and there will be a public input process for some studies. The FPA has invited Orin to be a part of our next Town Meeting on Town Planning.
Proposed Bypass: This project is currently on hold while studies are being done and financing remains obscure. If the project is approved, PRMD will make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, who will make the ultimate decision.
Carwash at Gas Station Next to Sequoia Realty: A carwash has been proposed next to Sequoia Realty. This will require a use permit and design review, open for public input.
Downtown Planning: The FPA organized as a proactive planning organization, understanding that the most effective way of influencing our future is by getting ahead of the game through planning. David Carpenter, Board member and Architect, has volunteered to be the new chairperson of our Downtown Planning Committee. If you are interested in being a part of this process, contact David: Home - 887-7432, Work - 569-5172, E-mail: djcarpenter@neteze.com
For more information on any of the proposed projects, and to voice your views through our survey, we suggest you visit our website at www.forestvillefpa.org. You can also get and give information by calling the Board of Supervisors at 565-2241 or Permit and Resource management (PRMD) 565-1900. As the voice of Forestville, the FPA encourages your input on any and all of these issues so that we can accurately represent our community.
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