Local citizen group working to Save Clover Valley
By: Keith Reid, Gold Country News Service
12:52 PM PDT
For the Rocklin citizen's group, Save Clover Valley, the view from atop
Park Drive into the heralded oak-studded valley represents serenity
from strip malls, housing developments and traffic-infested roadways -
all trademarks of Placer County's rapid growth.
For them, the 5,000-year-old valley is considered to be the crown jewel
of a community striving to distinguish itself from the suburban spider
web connecting Rocklin to Roseville, Lincoln and Loomis with nearly
unidentifiable borders.
For the developer, the valley's beauty is a lucrative attraction for
anxious home-buyers in the market for an upscale house in what promises
to be among the premiere neighborhoods, and backyard views, in all of
South Placer.
And for the United Auburn Indian Tribe, the ancient Clover Valley is a
priceless home to its Native American heritage. Clover Valley is said
to be the last significant piece of land un-touched, holding burial
grounds and landmarks of Nissenan and Maidu Indian history.
"That's our history, that valley," said Jessica Tavares, tribe
chairwoman. "I've been down in the valley and it's the most awesome
experience. It's so peaceful and beautiful. We have burial grounds
there. Think about this. What if we paved over a cemetery with your
ancestors buried there? How would you feel?"
Armed with a development agreement circa 1998 between the Sacramento
based Buzz Oates Group of Companies and the City of Rocklin, project
manager Gerry Kamilos is confident Clover Valley Estates will
eventually break ground, and a healthy compromise reached between the
developer and the city.
Kamilos knows the project faces some community and tribe opposition,
but he also knows his company has legal claim to the land.
"We've been very careful and responsible in planning this project. We
are working to preserve as much open space as possible, which is
extraordinary in this region," Kamilos said. "This project has been in
the city's general plan since 1984. It was annexed into the city in
1998 with the intention to be developed."
Kamilos said the agreement allows for 974 homes and an 8-acre
commercial site to be built on Clover Valley.
However, he said the company has made a commitment to "build
substantially fewer lots, preserve half of the 622 acres as open space,
and save 75 percent of the 28,000 oak trees."
The latest reports show the developer will propose a development of
about 650 lots, ranging from $600,000 to $1.5 million.
"It's also important to note that of the 622 acres, only 17 are related
to Native American cultural resources," Kamilos said. "Our project will
only impact about an acre of those resources."
The once poverty-stricken tribe is now financially stable, to put it
mildly, thanks to profits derived from its highly successful Thunder
Valley Casino in unincorporated Lincoln.
Reports by the federal government indicate the casino earned a $300
million profit in its first year, making it the most lucrative Indian
casino in the nation.
While the Save Clover Valley group would certainly like to see the
tribe pony up and purchase the valley, which could carry a price tag
ranging from $50 to $90 million, there is no real indication that it
will happen.
What the tribe has offered, however, is $40,000 and a public relations
professional to help the citizen's group educate Rocklin residents
about the valley's historic significance.
According to tribe spokesman Doug Elmets, the United Auburn Indians are
committed to help sway public opinion and levy pressure against Rocklin
officials to prevent development on the valley.
In lieu of upscale homes, the tribe says it would like to build a
museum and hiking trails to make Clover Valley a Native American
preserve where school field trips will honor their history on a daily
basis.
The Save Clover Valley educational campaign kicks off Saturday at 11
a.m. with a "Family Day" at Boulder Ridge Park on Park Drive,
overlooking Clover Valley. Elmets said the event will include guest
speakers, entertainment and food, along with educational materials. The
public is invited to attend.
"This is the largest and oldest historic Indian site in California,"
Elmets said. "Its historic value is immeasurable."
Save Clover Valley member Allison Miller is concerned about the number
of lots planned for Clover Valley, along with environmental impacts the
development could potentially have on traffic, air quality and water
quality.
"At a certain level, (building only 650 homes) is nothing more than
rhetoric at this point," Miller said. "The development agreement at
this time says 974 homes can be built. That number is certainly
unacceptable."
Miller also said she's worried about other factors including a four
lane road connecting Sierra College Boulevard to Park Drive through the
valley.
Kamilos said the plan for the access road has been reduced to two
lanes, with emergency vehicle access coming into the valley through
Rawhide Road.
"Again, we are being very responsible here. We're doing everything we
can to lessen the impact of this project on Clover Valley's significant
resources," Kamilos said.
Rocklin Mayor Peter Hill said a development on Clover Valley is "a
significant number of months away" from being passed.
While Kamilos hopes the project could break ground as early as the
summer of 2006, Hill said the council has yet to see a formal plan or
proposal to the city. Once a plan is submitted, it will take months of
study, discussion and possible plan alterations before the council can
provide the go-ahead for construction.
Hill said there's no certain fate of Clover Valley, but if a legitimate
proposal is made to the city, the best option for citizens to keep
Clover Valley as open space is for ownership of the valley to change
hands.
"I'm going to be blunt. I have met with leaders of the Clover Valley
development opposition more than once," Hill said. "I've suggested that
if they really want to save the valley they should organize a ballot
measure to ask Rocklin residents if they would tax themselves to
purchase Clover Valley from the developer."
Hill said Save Clover Valley advocates have simply looked for somebody
else to save it, whether it be the tribe, or for the city council to
simply vote down a development proposal from Kamilos and the Buzz Oates
Group of Companies.
Kamilos did not confirm or deny that his company would sell the land if
a formidable offer was made.
"We have not received any formal offer," Kamilos said. "Right now, our
attention is focused on creating a plan for development. If we were to
receive a formal offer, we would certainly give it the proper respect
to review it."
Until then, development is the inevitable option for city
officials.
"My personal position is I'd be just as happy if (Clover Valley) is
preserved. But, the city doesn't have money to buy it. I don't foresee
the city getting money to buy it," Hill said. "We can't just say no.
There's a law regarding 'takings.' If we were to deny the developer of
this agreement we would be forced to buy the land from them at market
value. We can't afford to do that."
