Karl Wilber Letter Regarding Terrazzo Project

Mr. Eric Gage Community Development 100 Santa Rosa Ave, Room 3 Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Subject: Fountaingrove Terrazzo Project – PRAP 14-020

Dear Mr. Gage:

The purpose of this letter is to provide perspectives on the proposed Fountaingrove Terrazzo Project. In short, pursuit of this project will have a number of negative impacts on the area and likely provides little net benefit to the City of Santa Rosa. Further, if the project proceeds, it ignores the prior mistakes made by and acknowledged by City and Planning officials.

Development of this area will, in my opinion: Summation Mr. Gage, this proposed development will have irreversible impacts – none of which, in the net, are positive. Let’s not make a decision which results in a negative impact on the environment and adjacent community. Let’s learn from our past lessons and actions.
 * 1) cause substantial disruption of traffic on the Fountaingrove Parkway;   the proposed construction entrance being on the two-lane, downhill stretch of the parkway where vehicle speed and safety are already a concern,
 * 2) negatively impact the aesthetics of yet another area off the Fountaingrove Parkway. I need not remind the City of the backlash which occurred when other areas, particularly those east of the proposed development, were approved and the hillsides of this general area were permanent impacted. To quote one of the principal decision makers and Mayor at the time (Press Democrat article), there was “devastation” and “regret” associated with this process.
 * 3) negatively impact the adjacent the local environs and adjacent Fountaingrove Golf and Athletic Club (FGAC). Considerations include
 * 4) *fugitive emissions (i.e. impaired air quality and downwind deposition of dusts and particulate) during construction
 * 5) *increased noise and traffic associated with development and post-development periods
 * 6) *impaired aesthetics of hillside adjacent to the FGCC pool and clubhouse areas
 * 7) *further diminishment of wildlife areas and incremental negative impact on known deer crossing areas
 * 8) *likely loss of Country Club membership and further impairment of the economics of the facility. This could lead to potential net loss of revenues to the City of Santa Rosa
 * 9) *loss of aged oak trees. I walk by this area regularly and appreciate the natural beauty of this hill and its trees.  Even when development plans “protect” or “spare” trees, one has no guarantee that the construction, building foundations, owner activity, etc. won’t have a long-term negative impact on indigenous trees.

Please contact me if you want to discuss this further – and thank you for seriously considering this input.

Sincerely,

Karl R. Wilber