New Clover Valley plan unveiled

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Tribe in talks with developer over partial land acquisition

8:07 AM PDT
By: Keith Reid , Gold Country News Service (Roseville Press-Tribune)

The controversy over whether Clover Valley will be "saved or paved" may be nearing an end.

Last week, Clover Valley Partners unveiled a scaled down plan of Clover Valley Lakes. In what could be a major blow to the Save Clover Valley coalitions opposition to the controversial housing project, the United Auburn Indian Tribe confirmed that it has been in discussions with the developer about purchasing a portion of the valley to preserve as "historically significant."

Clover Valley, an oak-studded 622-acre site, has been the center of controversy for more than a decade.

Community members have rallied to save the land as "pristine" open space. However, it is part of the city of Rocklin's general plan and a development agreement has city leaders bound to allow a project that fits the guidelines of the general plan.

In several community presentations last week, Al Johnson, a development consultant for land owner Rick Massie, made presentations to Rocklin neighborhoods outlying the developer's new proposal, which he calls a "good compromise."

Originally designated for more than 950 homes, the new plan for Clover Valley Lakes calls for 558 upscale housing units on one-quarter acre to one-half acre lots.

The project as proposed would preserve 60 percent of the acreage as open space.

Along with the homes, a 5-acre commercial and retail center, a two-lane roadway connecting Park Drive to Sierra College Boulevard, a 2-mile bike and hiking trail, and a roadway loop inside the project.

Johnson also noted the project will further increase the number of oak trees preserved during construction and will require homeowners to replant a tree for each tree cut down in order to build.

"I've never seen a project with this much open space and tree density," said Johnson, who is the former Roseville city manager.

The project is now in the environmental impact review process and the developer is pushing for the proposal to be reviewed by the Rocklin planning commission in late 2005 and the City Council in early 2006.

The United Auburn Indian Tribe, owners of Thunder Valley Casino, partnered with the Save Clover Valley group in the spring, providing $40,000 toward their "Save or Pave" campaign to halt construction on the valley - a resource they call "Rocklin's crown jewel" and "pristine acreage."

The Save Clover Valley group has expressed hope the tribe would purchase the land and possibly create a Native American learning center or historical park on the land.

Tribe spokesman Doug Elmets confirmed that preliminary talks have occurred between the tribe and Clover Valley Partners regarding acquiring some of the valley's land.

"There has been discussion about the tribe acquiring the important sacred sites in Clover Valley," Elmets said. "However, nothing has been consummated and the tribe has not made any decision on whether or not they will buy the land."

If a deal is met, it would be unlikely to alter the new Clover Valley Lakes proposal - meaning a project is imminent, and without the backing of the tribe, the Save Clover valley group will likely lose steam in their opposition to the project.

"I really want to thank the Save Clover Valley effort," Elmets said. "That group is extremely dedicated and they have really called attention to the valley as pristine acreage that should be preserved."

Johnson said infrastructure costs for the project will exceed $100 million, and while he refused to comment on the costs of housing construction, it could double if not triple that price tag.

The 558 homes will likely sale for a minimum of $1 million each, Johnson said.

In explanation of the project's history, Johnson said Clover Valley was annexed into the Rocklin general plan in 1981 and a development agreement was struck between the land owner and Rocklin in 1998.

"When that development agreement was approved, the city extracted $1.5 million from the developer," said Johnson. "That money was used to help build the Rocklin Sunset Center, which has been beneficial to the entire community."

Residents and Save Clover Valley advocates at one of Johnson's presentations last Wednesday night had plenty of questions and concerns ranging from the project's affect on traffic, environmental impacts of the project, as well as who Clover Valley Partners is, and who the real owner of the land is.

"Part of my distrust in this project is that I don't know who anybody is. We're told so many different stories, I don't know what's going on," said Arlene Hampleman, a Clover Valley Road resident. "Who owns the land? Who is Clover Valley Partners?"

Allison Miller, spokeswoman for Save Clover Valley, called Johnson's presentation "smooth, with a great spin."

"A big part of the 60 percent open space they talk about is on the sloped hill sides, which they don't want to build on anyway," said Miller who also cited the valley's historical significance - including 33 sites that qualify on the National Registry of Historical Sites as reason to preserve the valley.

Miller applauded the Clover Valley Partners' effort in attempting to reach a compromise and putting together a "quality development."

"I just don't think Rocklin needs it," she said.

Keith Reid can be reached at keithr@goldcountrymedia.com.

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	New Clover Valley plan unveiled Wednesday, September 21, 2005 Tribe in talks with developer over partial land acquisition 8:07 AM PDT By: Keith Reid , Gold Country News Service (Roseville Press-Tribune) The controversy over whether Clover Valley will be "saved or paved" may be nearing an end. Last week, Clover Valley Partners unveiled a scaled down plan of Clover Valley Lakes. In what could be a major blow to the Save Clover Valley coalitions opposition to the controversial housing project, the United Auburn Indian Tribe confirmed that it has been in discussions with the developer about purchasing a portion of the valley to preserve as "historically significant." Clover Valley, an oak-studded 622-acre site, has been the center of controversy for more than a decade. Community members have rallied to save the land as "pristine" open space. However, it is part of the city of Rocklin's general plan and a development agreement has city leaders bound to allow a project that fits the guidelines of the general plan. In several community presentations last week, Al Johnson, a development consultant for land owner Rick Massie, made presentations to Rocklin neighborhoods outlying the developer's new proposal, which he calls a "good compromise." Originally designated for more than 950 homes, the new plan for Clover Valley Lakes calls for 558 upscale housing units on one-quarter acre to one-half acre lots. The project as proposed would preserve 60 percent of the acreage as open space. Along with the homes, a 5-acre commercial and retail center, a two-lane roadway connecting Park Drive to Sierra College Boulevard, a 2-mile bike and hiking trail, and a roadway loop inside the project. Johnson also noted the project will further increase the number of oak trees preserved during construction and will require homeowners to replant a tree for each tree cut down in order to build. "I've never seen a project with this much open space and tree density," said Johnson, who is the former Roseville city manager. The project is now in the environmental impact review process and the developer is pushing for the proposal to be reviewed by the Rocklin planning commission in late 2005 and the City Council in early 2006. The United Auburn Indian Tribe, owners of Thunder Valley Casino, partnered with the Save Clover Valley group in the spring, providing $40,000 toward their "Save or Pave" campaign to halt construction on the valley - a resource they call "Rocklin's crown jewel" and "pristine acreage." The Save Clover Valley group has expressed hope the tribe would purchase the land and possibly create a Native American learning center or historical park on the land. Tribe spokesman Doug Elmets confirmed that preliminary talks have occurred between the tribe and Clover Valley Partners regarding acquiring some of the valley's land. "There has been discussion about the tribe acquiring the important sacred sites in Clover Valley," Elmets said. "However, nothing has been consummated and the tribe has not made any decision on whether or not they will buy the land." If a deal is met, it would be unlikely to alter the new Clover Valley Lakes proposal - meaning a project is imminent, and without the backing of the tribe, the Save Clover valley group will likely lose steam in their opposition to the project. "I really want to thank the Save Clover Valley effort," Elmets said. "That group is extremely dedicated and they have really called attention to the valley as pristine acreage that should be preserved." Johnson said infrastructure costs for the project will exceed $100 million, and while he refused to comment on the costs of housing construction, it could double if not triple that price tag. The 558 homes will likely sale for a minimum of $1 million each, Johnson said. In explanation of the project's history, Johnson said Clover Valley was annexed into the Rocklin general plan in 1981 and a development agreement was struck between the land owner and Rocklin in 1998. "When that development agreement was approved, the city extracted $1.5 million from the developer," said Johnson. "That money was used to help build the Rocklin Sunset Center, which has been beneficial to the entire community." Residents and Save Clover Valley advocates at one of Johnson's presentations last Wednesday night had plenty of questions and concerns ranging from the project's affect on traffic, environmental impacts of the project, as well as who Clover Valley Partners is, and who the real owner of the land is. "Part of my distrust in this project is that I don't know who anybody is. We're told so many different stories, I don't know what's going on," said Arlene Hampleman, a Clover Valley Road resident. "Who owns the land? Who is Clover Valley Partners?" Allison Miller, spokeswoman for Save Clover Valley, called Johnson's presentation "smooth, with a great spin." "A big part of the 60 percent open space they talk about is on the sloped hill sides, which they don't want to build on anyway," said Miller who also cited the valley's historical significance - including 33 sites that qualify on the National Registry of Historical Sites as reason to preserve the valley. Miller applauded the Clover Valley Partners' effort in attempting to reach a compromise and putting together a "quality development." "I just don't think Rocklin needs it," she said. Keith Reid can be reached at keithr@goldcountrymedia.com.