HomeMy Public PortalAboutCanyon Springs EIR Scoping - 34.pdf
May 23, 2011
Denyelle Nishimori
ent Dept.
Associate Planner
Developm
ort Road
Truckee Community
0183 Truckee Airp1
Truckee, CA 96161
Re: EIR for Canyon Springs Development
I am a Martis Peak property owner and Martis Peak Homeowners Association
“MPHOA” director, as well as a homeowner in Glenshire. The MPHOA is a road
association, thus the MPHOA Board felt their comments should be limited to the
roads (reference the MPHOA Board’s letter of May 23, 2011). Though I am speaking
as an individual property owner and not on the behalf of the MPHOA, I am confident
that I speak for a number of Martis Peak property owners that our concerns around
the Canyon Springs development go far beyond roads and traffic to the impact of
this development on the lifestyle we sought when coming to the Truckee area. We
equest that the Town carefully consider the following issues in the EIR for Canyon
prings.
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Traffic
On July 25, 2010, Craig Wilson of the MPHOA, sent a letter to the Town expressing
our concerns over traffic related to the proposed Canyon Springs development. The
only entrance to our development, Martis Peak Road, would be shared as the only
access to the new development. That concern is still a major one for us. While there
are currently approximately 200 trips per day on Martis Peak Road off Glenshire
Drive, depending on the number of multi‐family dwellings and secondary dwellings
on the proposed 185 lots, this number will increase dramatically. We request that
the Town study the impact of the increased traffic at that intersection as well as
along the section of Glenshire Drive between Hirschdale and Martis Peak Road. This
is a section of road that is already difficult in winter and has seen many issues
related to drivers travelling with excessive speed throughout the year. Traffic
studies should also include potential additional development in the area, specifically
n the adjacent Teel (Raley’s) property, which appears to already be in the planning
tage.
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Public Safety
We ask that the Town consider the impact of the increasing density and limited
access/exit options for residents in Glenshire, The Meadows, Martis Peak, Canyon
Springs and adjacent areas in the case of an emergency such as a wildfire. We ask
that careful study be given to the ability of residents to escape in the worst case
scenario, as well as the ability of emergency personnel to gain access to the area.
When the last major wildfire hit the area, it forced the closure of I‐80. How would a
similar scenario impact access/exit with an additional 185+ households using
Glenshire Drive only? We also request that due examination be given to any
increased danger of wildfire during and after construction.
OnGoing Construction
The Canyon Springs plan has called for multiple phases (8) over a long period of
time (up to 20 years). We are concerned about the long‐term impact on road quality
from the constant use by heavy equipment and trucks as well as a potential 20
summers of construction noise from the area. What will be the impacts of noise,
debris and construction equipment on those of us who will be neighbors to the
development?
Open Space
The Town has historically promoted the continued availability of open space.
Recognizing that the Canyon Springs land is private property, the development will
eliminate a large amount of what is currently perceived as open space by residents
of Glenshire and adjacent neighborhoods. The area has been popular for hiking,
biking and skiing and there are simply not a lot of alternatives in the area. We
equest that the Town determine the impact of the development on land available
or recreational use by Truckee area residents.
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Wildlife Migration
The California Department of Fish and Game along with the Nevada Department of
Wildlife have embarked on a study of Mule Deer migration to assess the impact of
the project on a herd that has already been hit hard by development, drought and
wildfire. Their initial data will be available in 2012. We suggest that in no case
should this development proceed in advance of those findings being made available
to the Town.
Carbon Neutral Development
It is time for Truckee and Nevada County to take the lead in environmentally
conscious development. The idea of carbon neutral development is becoming a
reality in communities across the US and Europe. The Truckee area would be a
great place to promote new development concepts that will help in sustaining our
environment and the special lifestyle that the area now affords us. We suggest that
the Town work with environmental groups, developers and homeowner
associations to study, explore and promote innovative approaches that would allow
for continued development without negatively impacting our community.
We request that the EIR for Canyon Springs includes an analysis, both during
construction as well as after development is completed, of the impact on air and
water quality and on greenhouse gas emissions over the long term. We suggest that
the EIR includes a definition of requirements for the project (and any other project
in the Town) to include an alternate plan to define and achieve the goal of carbon
neutral development. This could include reduction in density, use of recycled
materials, requirements for energy efficient construction, use of alternate energy
sources throughout the project, replacement of all natural vegetation, requirements
for significant amounts of open space and hundreds of other options that are being
explored and utilized elsewhere.
Home Values
Home prices in Truckee have been hit extremely hard in the last two years. We all
know this and the trend has not abated. The decrease in median selling price in
Truckee dropped another 11% from Q1 2010 to Q1 2011. There are still significant
numbers of bank owned homes, which will continue to negatively affect property
values. At the same time recent developments like Grays Crossing and Elkhorn
Ridge are largely vacant. While we recognize that an economic impact study might
ot be part of the EIR, we ask that the Town provide a detailed analysis of the
mpact of the development on the values of homes in the surrounding areas.
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Neil Blumenfield
0605 Belford Place
ruckee, CA 96161
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Letter endorsed by Martis Peak property owners:
Spencer and Keli Chaney, Curtis Crooks, Diana Dillaway, Tony Fadell, Mike and
Donna Finn, Tinka Gatterdam, Kurt Gantert, Janice M. Hamilton, Kevin Johnson,
Sandy Korth, Danielle Lambert, Elizabeth Moore, David Olsen, Marianne and
Joseph L. Ryan, Gabrielle Toledano, Ted and Mary Thompson, Sandra Thornburg,
ichelle Jones M