Dear Editor:
This letter is in response to Karen Christopher’s letter to the
editor regarding the Mesa Ridge proposed development. In that
letter, Mrs. Christopher resorts to a level of rhetoric and
misrepresentation that borders on irresponsible.
Dear Editor:
This letter is in response to Karen Christopher’s letter to the editor regarding the Mesa Ridge proposed development. In that letter, Mrs. Christopher resorts to a level of rhetoric and misrepresentation that borders on irresponsible.
Mrs. Christopher suggests that the Mesa Ridge development cannot withstand scrutiny and exposure. Ridiculous. This project was reviewed by the city staff under the Residential Development Ordinance and recommended for approval. It was reviewed again by City staff during the tentative map process and recommended for approval.
An $88,000 Environmental Impact Report, paid by the developer, was performed by a consultant on the city’s approved list of environmental consultants. California Fish and Game has reviewed and approved this project. U.S. Fish and Wildlife has reviewed and approved this project. The Gilroy Fire Department and Police Department have reviewed and approved this project.
Mrs. Christopher says the lot sizes and setbacks are below city standards. After two comprehensive reviews of the project by every agency of the city, how did they approve the project. If that isn’t scrutiny and exposure, I don’t’ know what is.
The owners of this property have lived their whole lives in this town and have owned this parcel for 45 years. They have cooperated with the city in granting rights of way in the building Gavilan College and any other requests the city has made over the last century.
Considering her entreaties for scrutiny and exposure, I would think that Mrs. Christophe would feel duty bound to divulge her pending subdivision adjacent to Mesa Ridge. She choose to avoid her sacred scrutiny and exposure by bypassing the meticulous scrutiny of the Residential Development Ordinance. Don’t be fooled. Mrs. Christopher is concerned about the density next door to her project, that’s all. This is the first and last time we will hear from her about her treasured foothills, as her residence is in Colorado.
This is a beautiful and carefully designed project. All maps and documents are and always have been available to the public for review and comment. We welcome it.
Ernest S. Filice, Gilroy
Submitted Monday, Jan. 19 to ed****@****ic.com
