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A letter to the editor from Steve Homan in Bonny Doon

In the past, I have written detailed op-ed pieces regarding my objections to the 55-unit housing project proposed for Felton by South County Housing. Please allow me to summarize the situation:

1. The results of rainy-season groundwater tests and percolation tests were so dismal in the winter of 2006-07 that SCH had to have its consultants come back in 2008 and try again during the rainy season. The February 2008 results have not been disclosed. Groundwater, depth to bedrock and percolation rates are still seriously in question, as well as inadequate usable area for the huge drainfield that will be needed. (Fifty-five units are proposed on 14.8 acres!)  

2. The storm water discharge from this project must flow to Zayante Creek or the San Lorenzo River. I know of no existing storm drainage easements for transmitting storm water to either stream, and no infrastructure exists to protect the Felton Grove FEMA flood plain or the Santa Cruz Water Department Facilities from increased flooding potential.

3. By county ordinance, it is illegal to try to start a new public water company within the service area of an existing public water system. In this case, the service area is that of Cal-Am. This law has been on the books for many years to prevent aquifer overdraft by competing water purveyors.  

4. In my opinion, the site has historical importance as the entrance to the old Zayante Rancho and as part of the original Roaring Camp (Isaac Graham’s steam engine, sawmill, distillery, corrals, grist mill, etc.).  It may also have been an important Native American site, being a meadow very close to two legendary fisheries, with the meadow having more than ample spring water and wetlands.

I support the concept of affordable housing projects. I do not support any housing project that exceeds the carrying capacity of the land. The first rule of “green building” is not to build on environmentally sensitive sites.

Steve Homan, REHS, Bonny Doon area

Comments (6)

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written by Marcus, May 02, 2008

Thanks Steve. A rational, concise assessment of the issue. It's a position shared by the majority of the residents here, a few vocal boycotters notwithstanding.

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Why?
written by Alfredo Vargas, Ben Lomond, May 03, 2008

Why would the County and the developer keep at this, when it is so obviously an overly expensive bad idea? How can the project pay for all the necessary infrastructure, and yet remain affordable? Who will gain money if this is built, and who will lose if it is not built? I have these questions and more.

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Is Redwood School next
written by Bill H, May 05, 2008

South County Housing says the Felton Faire project will be the gateway to the valley. That we should want lots of development like this up here. What's next? Government housing at Redwood Elementary? Quail Hollow? Is that why they're closing all these schools? so South County can get their hands on the land.

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written by local, May 07, 2008

Actually, Bill, "They" are closing all the schools because enrollment is down due to the fact that families can't afford to live here!

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written by constituent, May 08, 2008

Actaully it's more a case of no lcoal jobs than "afford to live here." But even with that the valley has managed to become completely overly built out with commuters going to jobs offered in San Jose. There are more teachers and firefighters than this valley knows what to do with. Enrollment is actually up, almost double the kids than 20 years ago, but now with all the choices in alternative education about half our student population is out of the public school. San Lorenzo Valley is built out according to Mt Hermon's CEQA report from 1999 for their dry building. This project is proposed down the road and yet SCH is able to forge through. This is an environmental disaster just waiting to happen.

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written by Bryan, May 08, 2008

Constituent is right. More kids in the San Lorenzo Valley opt for private school and homeschool than go to public school. This is in part due to a reckless and corrupt school board for the past several years. The worst board member has left, fortunately.

There is zero job growth in the valley. And regarding the VWC's senseless babbling about housing for teachers...there's a waiting list for teachers at the school. Our valley schools are not suffering from lack of teachers, they are suffering from lack of decent leadership. The money they have is misspent. Hopefully that wound will stop bleeding with the strong oversight committee in place now.

As to the tired canard about families not able to afford to live here. Perhaps if "local" above, and others like her, got a decent education, stayed away from negative substances, and made better lifestyle choices she would be able to afford to buy a home here. Or get her mom to buy her one. Or look at the MLS listings and realize that home prices in the San Lorenzo Valley are dropping to well below South County Housing's "affordable" rate for a poorly built, rules-driven, semi-deeded, government subsidized housing units.

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