Veronica Meadows Bridge 2

[SBN-P 2/17/2005]:

Developer wants plan, bridge or no

2/17/05
By JOSHUA MOLINA
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Developers behind a plan to build 24 two-story homes in the Las Positas valley are committed to their project even though a city review panel voted against allowing them to build a bridge over Arroyo Burro Creek.

The bridge is central to developer Mark Lee's project because it is the main reason nearby residents are supporting his proposal. The bridge is key for the residents because it would provide the primary access from Las Positas Road to the new homes.

Without the bridge, motorists would enter the Veronica Meadows project through Alan Road, a quiet residential street on the other side of the project.

Environmental reports, however, determined that a bridge would harm the creek.

Mr. Lee said he plans to address the environmental issues at Wednesday's Park and Recreation Commission meeting. "We are doing something very unique," Mr. Lee said in a prepared statement. "With our proposal, the needs of our neighbors, the environment, future residents and the city all coincide.

"By providing new homes accessed by a replacement bridge on an existing easement, we can restore the creek along our property and free city funds for needed restoration elsewhere on the creek."

The city's creeks advisory committee took several votes regarding the project at a meeting on Feb. 9. A majority of the board members voted to eliminate the bridge and also requested a 100-foot setback between the homes and the creek.

Mr. Lee wants to build 24 homes on a hidden chunk of land off Las Positas Road. The undeveloped area is dominated by oak and eucalyptus trees, vegetation and a pedestrian path. The market-rate homes would stand two stories tall and range in size from 1,800 to 4,500 square feet.

Mr. Lee wants to build a pedestrian path and restore native habitat along both banks of the creek. The houses back up to a hillside, but the developer plans to stabilize the hill to avoid landslides.

Santa Barbara City Councilman Das Williams, who attended the meeting, said he was thrilled with the committee vote.

"It is really the creeks committee making a courageous stand on what they think the effects of the development will be on the creek corridor," Mr. Williams said. "The creeks committee did what they were charged to do by the voters -- stick up for the health of the creek."

David Pritchett, a member of the creeks advisory committee, said the proposed bridge clashes with the city's efforts to restore the creek.

"The city should be the lead on any restoration projects along Arroyo Burro and separate itself from Mark Lee," Mr. Pritchett said. "The city, I would argue, does not need the help of this mitigation project."

Steve Forsell, the committee's chairman, said his major interests center on the 100-foot setback, the type of vegetation along the creek, pedestrian pathways and the potential removal of some trees.

He said he is ambivalent about the bridge. "I have some concerns about it. There appears to be some valid arguments in favor of it and some questions about the real need for the bridge."


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Developer wants plan, bridge or no ]