Terraces of Lafayette aka Christmas Tree Lot
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Carol Federighi Mayor
City of Lafayette
3675 Mt Diablo Boulevard, Suite 210
Lafayette CA 94549
Dear Lafayette Mayor and City Council Members:
The residents of Lafayette have signed this petition, because of our concerns regarding the rezoning of the property known as the "Christmas Tree Lot".
The City Council recommended on April 26, 2010, that the five parcels located along Deer Hill Road at Pleasant Hill Road (including the "Christmas Tree" lot across from Acalanes High School) be zoned low-density LR-5, which would permit one home per five acres, resulting in a maximum of four homes on the 22 acre parcel. Public support for this zoning was overwhelming. So many people showed up at the first hearing that the matter had to be continued for further comment at the second hearing. Three homeowners associations sent representatives in support of the low density zoning.
However, the City failed to finalize the low density residential zoning for a year and a half, thus permitting the owner to file an application for a massive apartment complex. This delay by the city may jeopardize the community's interests and must be corrected immediately. Further delay increases the potential that this property will be developed as high density, multifamily housing. The owner, whom inherited the property, and lives out of state, has filed an application to build 315 “moderate income” affordable housing apartments on the property; this proposal will fundamentally change the character of our community for the worse. Further, this development project will significantly impact traffic, threaten the safety of children crossing the street on their way to school, and decrease property values of hundreds of homes.
The community of Lafayette is angry that the City failed to finalize the low density zoning for this property prior to the owner filling an application. We want the North –east portion of Lafayette to maintain its semi-rural and single family residential character. This intersection is a crucial entrance to the city and our neighborhoods. We should not be forced to accept urbanization that will bring substantially increased traffic, and force expansion into broader roadways to accommodate all the cars.
We understand that the developer will contend that its proposal should be considered under the current zoning. We will deal with that contention in due course, but regardless the City needs to finalize the LR-5 rezoning as soon as possible, for the following reasons:
To finalize their earlier recommendation and commitment
To protect the character and views of this area
To minimize the proposed traffic impacts of a high-density development
To bring the zoning in conformance with the City’s Hillside and Ridgeline Ordinance
To bring the zoning into conformance with the General Plan, which calls for development consistent with the surrounding neighborhoods
To maintain the City’s long standing policy of single family development north of the freeway
We look to the City Council members to represent the community, and to follow through with commitments they’ve made to our community.
PLEASE NOTE:
WHEN SIGNING THIS PETITION THE:
MUST BE CHECKED FOR YOUR SIGNATURE TO COUNT
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AFTER SIGNING THIS PETITION IPETITIONS WILL ASK YOU FOR A $2 DONATION IN A POP UP SCREEN TO SUPPORT THEIR SITE. PLEASE DISREGARD/SAY NO AS THIS IS NOT A DONATION FOR STOP THE TERRACES OF LAFAYETTE.
Sponsor
In April 2010, the City Council, after numerous well-attended hearings, agreed with the overwhelming input from the community that the parcel across the street from Acalanes was inappropriate for high density housing. It passed a resolution to zone the parcel LR-5 (low density residential development).
Unfortunately, city staff never enacted the zoning change.
In July 2011, 15 months after the City Council voted to rezone the parcel to low density, the landowner submitted an application to build a 315-unit apartment complex on the parcel.
As of February 2012, the zoning change approved in 2010 has still not been enacted.
The petition below does not seek to revisit the issue, which was thoroughly discussed by various stakeholders.
Because city staff has not enacted the change, residents are petitioning the City Council to direct staff to follow through on the zoning decision made almost two years ago.
There will be City Council meetings in the near future, your attendance and voice are very important!
This petition is only one step in fighting this project.
Links
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Terraces-of-Lafayette/198489963572243
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