Speak Up! Let Contra Costa County
Officials Know Your Opinions
Speak Up! Tell the County that 75 feet is too tall for Saranap and the County
should not approve the original project or the MPA as currently designed.
If you think this project needs to be trimmed down to be built within existing zoning laws and in compliance with the existing General Plan, this is the time to speak up. If the Contra Costa County General Plan is amended to accommodate the original Saranap Village project or the Mitigated Plan Alternative (MPA), it sets a it sets a precedent for more oversized buildings in Saranap and elsewhere in unincorporated Contra Costa County. Certainly at risk are the rest of Boulevard Way to the freeway and all the unincorporated commercial areas near Olympic Blvd., Tice Valley Blvd., and the south end of Boulevard Way.
We urge you to participate in protecting our Saranap by taking the following simple steps, and checking back on the www.saranap.org website for updates.
1. If you’re able to help, let us know what you can do; and opt-in to receive periodic updates about the status of the Saranap Village project:
1. Talk to your neighbors about your concerns:
This is a way for you to have an immediate effect in your neighborhood. Let your neighbors know your concerns about the change to the General Plan and the Saranap Village project, and tell them to go to the saranap.org website where they can find more information and see accurate information about what this massive project is going to look like.
2. Send an email message to Candace Andersen, our County Supervisor, and William Nelson, the Department of Conservation and Development Planner for the Saranap Village project:
Here is a message that you can email to Supervisor Andersen and DCD Planner William Nelson.
First, highlight and copy the text in this message box below. You will be at the bottom of this message box.
Second, click on the following link to open your email program with a new blank email addressed to Candace Andersen, Supervisor for Contra Costa County District II, with a CC to Department of Conservation and Development Planner William Nelson:
Candace.Andersen@bos.cccounty.us; william.nelson@dcd.cccounty.us
(If your email program doesn't show the correct email address, please copy it from above and paste it into the To: line of the blank email.)
Third, type the subject line to read Saranap Village
Fourth, paste the message text that you copied in the first step above into the body of your email message.
If you would prefer to write an email message using your own words, or to edit the text you pasted into the body of your email message, do so now. If you want to use your own words but are wondering what to say, here are a number of talking points; you can use the points you feel are the most important to you. Please use your own words.
(Be sure to include the RE: line as the first line in your email message):
- The REDIR underestimates the environmental impacts of this project on the neighborhood. (traffic, noise, visual).
- The REDIR fails to recognize and analyze the growth-inducing impacts that the Project will have on the rest of Boulevard Way if the requested increases in height and density are approved. Other properties on Boulevard Way and Saranap Avenue are likely to request and receive approval for buildings with similar heights.
- The REDIR fails Fails to provide context in visual representations. Accurate drawings of buildings adjacent to Site A are missing in the RDEIR. Of particular note is the troublesome proximity of Vista Palms Apartment building overshadowed by the six story garage. The condos and apartments across Saranap Avenue from Site A would face a building of up to 75 feet in height shadowing them from sunlight until mid-morning and eliminating their view of Mt. Diablo.
- The REDIR violates several goals of the County’s General Plan; in particular, Goal 3-J, which states that development patterns that promote the individuality and unique character of each community in the County should be encouraged.
- The REDIR enhancements to Boulevard way extend only in front of the project. This is not enough of an improvement to justify such deviations from the General Plan.
- The REDIR provision for diagonal parking along Boulevard Way — which is narrowed to one lane in each direction — creates a hazardous situation for children riding their bikes to and from school, and adults riding bikes to BART, because bicycle riders will have to use the traffic lanes and because there is potential danger from parked cars backing out of their spaces.
Fifth, type your full name under "Sincerely,” at the bottom of the message. This is where you're letting the supervisor and planner know who sent your email, in addition to your email address which will be on the From line (email addresses often do not clearly identify the name of the sender).
Sixth, click Send in your email program.
Please have each person in your household send an email as well if they have separate email accounts.
THE NUMBER OF EMAIL MESSAGES THE SUPERVISOR AND THE PLANNER RECEIVES COUNTS!
If you prefer, write a letter to Supervisor Andersen and DCD Planner William Nelson:
If you prefer to write letters, you can copy the message above into your word processor, use the suggested talking points, and use your own words, and address the letter to:
Supervisor Candace Andersen, District II
309 Diablo Road, Danville, CA 94526
RE: Saranap Village, County File Numbers GP13-0003, RZ13-3224, SD13-9359, DP13-3035
Be sure to include the “RE” line above when you address your envelope and on the first line of your letter.
It is very important to also send the letter to:
William Nelson
Contra Costa County
Department of Conservation and Development
30 Muir Road
Martinez, CA 94553
RE: Saranap Village, County File Numbers GP13-0003, RZ13-3224, SD13-9359, DP13-3035
Again, be sure to include the “RE” line above when you address your envelope and on the first line of your letter.
3. Get a ‘75 Feet Is Too Tall!’ Lawn Sign:
We have some “75 Feet is Too Tall!” signs; you may have seen them in front of neighbors’ homes in Saranap. They are $15.00 each, are 24” x 18” and come with a wire frame for inserting them in your lawn or other area in the front of your home, and are water and weatherproof. Help participate in protecting our Saranap and show that you want a Saranap Village design and size that are compatible with our neighborhood. To get your own sign for our cost of $15.00, please email Paula Santi at paula.santi.lc@gmail.com.
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4. Attend County hearings about the project:
The County Community Development department and the Board of Supervisors will hold a series of hearings about the proposed change to the County Building Code, the Draft Environmental Impact Report, and the final approval of the project. If you can, attending these hearings as someone concerned about the project will be very valuable.
Check back here and look for our email messages as other hearing times and dates are announced.
5. Read and Comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report
The Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report (RDEIR) for the project has been released. You can read it online or download it the RDEIR here. The 62 day public review and comment period started on May 5, 2016. During the review and comment period the public is encouraged to submit written comments. The County Planning Commission will hold a hearing to consider the merits of the project. The date for that hearing is anticipated to be held sometime later in 2016.
Written comments on the adequacy of the RDEIR must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday July 6, 2016 at the following address:
William Nelson
Contra Costa County
Department of Conservation and Development
30 Muir Road
Martinez, CA 94553
Comments can also be emailed to: william.nelson@dcd.cccounty.us.
Be sure to include the following subject line or as the first line in your letter or email:
RE: Saranap Village,
County File Numbers GP13-0003, RZ13-3224, SD13-9359, DP13-3035
