| Residents do have a say in developing their communities By: Elaine O'Deegan, Save Clover Valley Placer Herald - Wednesday, January 10, 2007 Although it seems we do not have a say in stopping the development of our open spaces or curbing traffic congestion or pollution in our cities, nothing could be farther from the truth. A case in point is the Clover Valley Lakes Development. Clover Valley is a 622-acre valley in Rocklin that is home to 28,000 oaks, a year-round stream, wetlands, endangered wildlife and 33 prehistoric sites dating back more than 7,000 years (all these sites qualified to the National Registry). This valley is the last remaining place in Rocklin that has not been developed with hundreds of homes and remains as it was thousands of years ago. It's a beautiful valley that should be left intact and made a regional park for all. Eight years ago, a handful of dedicated people here in our city took a stand against the development of Clover Valley. And while the outcome of this fight is still undecided, it is a classic David vs. Goliath story. Eight years ago Buzz Oates, who was on Forbes List of the 400 richest persons in the United States, and his son-in-law Rick Massie owned Clover Valley. Not only was the citizen coalition battling against a very rich and influential person, but our Rocklin city officials had made opposition to the development very difficult by signing an iron-clad 10 year development agreement with Mr. Oates and received $1.5 million for doing it. The people opposing this development were just common folk like you and me, yet they have held off this development and the largest commercial developer in Northern California for more than eight years, and while doing so, built a coalition of people and organizations that today numbers in the thousands (and growing). But we are now at a crossroads. Within the next few months, the fate of Clover Valley will be decided and for once the people have an opportunity to stand up and make a difference right here in their own community. We will have a chance to stop the building of 558 homes and 5 acres of commercial property and instead preserve pristine open space. We can help to prevent a four-lane highway, which is projected to add an additional 16,000 cars a day to the already crowded streets of Rocklin. Our actions will help to limit pollution in our community; and we can have a say in stopping the destruction of more than 8,000 oaks, wetlands and wildlife. We can be part of cause that will benefit our children and future generations to come, by saving open spaces and 7,000 years of our city's history. As of this date, our organization is working on a referendum that would rescind the City Council's vote if they approve the Clover Valley Lakes Development. This referendum, if passed, will force our City Council to either rescind their actions or set a date for a vote in which the citizens of Rocklin will have a say about the development in Clover Valley. We will need to collect approximately 3,000 signatures from the registered voters of Rocklin. We will have 30 days to collect these signatures after the vote of the City Council, so we are preparing now and asking for your help. This type of referendum is not new and is being exercised by several citizens' groups throughout the state where people believe their elected officials' vote did not represent the will of the people. A group in Dixon has already forced a vote using this same type of referendum to prevent the building of Dixon Downs Race Track in their city (http://www.dumpthedowns.org/index.html). Quality open space builds value into a community. The American River Recreation Area adds value to every home within biking distance. Golden Gate Park, Balboa Park and many others create value and distinguish a community. They demonstrate that quality of life is valued there. We now have an opportunity here in Rocklin to have a say about our quality of life. |
Saving Clover Valley - Clover Valley as Open Space
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