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The
Dark Horse Development: Supevisors Blow It Again
Published Saturday,
July 12, 1997
How about them Supes?
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors is a constant source of entertainment.
Where else can you see such a consistent pattern of buffoonery for only
about $2 per resident per year? Unfortunately the playful antics of the
BOS are going to hurt us again.
I refer in particular to the Boards decision to bless the Dark Horse
housing tract at Lake of the Pines without asking the developer to undergo
the inconvenient step of obtaining an Environmental Impact Report.
For those of you whove missed it, Dark Horse is a big housing tract,
planned for 300 houses and an 18-hole golf course, and , according to
the Rural Quality Commission, a clubhouse, conference facility, restaurant
and golf academy.
Dark Horse is located off Highway 49, with ingress and egress via Combie
Road. A fellow named Ed Fralick is the head of the Dark Horse development,
which gives the Board of Supervisors little choice as to which end they
are.
You see, the project has negative impacts so serious that it demands an
EIR. CalTrans is concerned, the Northern California Air Quality
Management District is concerned, and the Placer County Board of Supervisors
is concerned. In a general way the Sierra Business Council is concerned
about this sort of suburban blight in rural counties. Odd, but our
Supervisors are not concerned.
Those agencies are worried in particular about significant increases in
traffic on Highway 49 and pollution. Im concerned because this sort
of development further blights the county and creates Bay Area driving
conditions. And subdivisions bring no lasting economic value to
the community. They create no permanent local jobs. Further,
if the houses are sold to retirees, they will already have paid
their dues over a lifetime and will not be interested in supporting
schools or industrial growth. The only tangible economic benefits
will go to the pro shop at the golf course and the Auburn MacDonalds.
Instead of an EIR, the Board finds a mitigated negative declaration (MND)
to be acceptable documentation of impacts. Thats research
done by the developer by his own paid consultants. The declaration
essentially says, Dont worry. Its cool. This is
like Richard Nixon saying, Dont worry. Theres nothing
important on the tapes or Bill Clinton stating, Dont
worry. Nothing in Vince Fosters briefcase.
An EIR is prepared by independent consultants and theres public
participation. Also, theres the small subtlety that an EIR
addresses unmitigable negative impacts, while the MND does not.
You know, the EIR is not about an endangered lizard or wildflower; its
about an endangered quality of life -- yours.
But this isnt only about Dark Horse, which will become one of the
premiere slums of the 21st century. Nevada County will get by with
or without it.
Whats really at issue is the infinite capacity of the Supes to make
themselves look like fools. Theyve done it again. The leaders in
this show of ineptitude are Grattan, Knecht, and Antonson, although Im
sure Dardick and Van Zant will get their moments in the spotlight some
day.
Two alarming theories emerge: 1) we have elected real incompetents who
dont know what theyre doing, or 2) we have elected cynical
pro-development butt-kissers who do know what they are doing. Ignorance
or complicity? Both are rather frightening visions.
Talk about inept! The BOS let the Planning Department rubber stamp this
project, making them look like crooks. They let the Planning Commissioners
rubber stamp this project, making them look like crooks. Then the
BOS rubber stamped the project, making themselves look like...
No, the Supervisors dont break the law. But when they act so inastutely,
they look 1) stupid, 2) bought, 3) cynical, 4) deceitful. So even if they
mean well, they always look dumb and dumber. When Grattan, Knecht, and
Antonson run for re-election, be especially suspicious of their usual
cooing noises about preserving the quality of life in Nevada County.
Thats true only in campaigns.
I feel sorry for poor Ed Fralick, who, having kissed up to the board,
has essentially suffered a setback, not a victory. Who on earth
told him, Dont worry, Ed. Well get this one through
without an EIR, because the people love us and believe in us.
Ed, you were suckered. The EIR issue will surely be litigated, and
that will seriously delay what might have been an acceptable project.
Barry Schoenborn is a technical writer, and a ten-year resident of
Nevada County. You can write to him at barry@wvswrite.com. The opinions
of columnists are not necessarily those of The Union.
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