I have never responded to an article in the newspaper, but I am forced to reply to this one as I believe there were several inconsistencies in your front page article in The Eagle on Sept. 3rd regarding the proposed Glenvista Peak development.
B&A Planning is reported as informing residents that the proposed developer, Valerio Inc., is going to be “fully transparent” this time and that “they will have developmental certainty”. Unfortunately, transparency makes no difference because this proposed development is actually worse for Gleneagles residents than the last proposal which Town Council unanimously rejected.
The only changes in the new proposal are:
• 16 residences instead of 11, resulting in even more traffic and more stormwater runoff
• Heavy construction equipment can access the site via Highway 1A, but only in off-peak hours.
All other construction traffic, as well as heavy equipment during peak hours, must travel down GlenVista Place, a very narrow (25ft/7.5m) street with no sidewalks and a hidden playground
• Proposed homes will be designed for “empty nesters and seniors”. This population is very active and make numerous trips each day to the store, the gym, golf course, etc. So traffic on GlenVista Place will increase significantly.
The article says the developer is “providing reassurance to the community while respecting concerns that have been raised in the area”. Actually in my opinion, no respect has been shown as little or nothing has been done to address the community’s many valid concerns.
According to B&A, “geotechnical analysis reviewed by the Town’s third-party geotechnical engineer found the ground is safe to develop” and “all the experts have agreed the ground is stable”. This statement completely ignores the point that stormwater runoff released from the Jones Estate Lands, will increase substantially following the proposed development, creating a correspondingly higher risk of soil instability in the down-slope GlenEagles communities. These communities have already spent over $20 million dollars to stabilize existing homes and slopes from the existing effects of runoff, groundwater seepage and slope failures.
Following the last public hearing for the 11-lot development application in November 2018, one of our respected town Councilors stated:
“After hearing all the arguments on both sides, there’s no way I’m supporting development
up in this area. There’s too many risks facing the families; and I know there are risks of not approving development; but at a certain point I think our government needs to be willing to take risks that are risks for the people, not risks against the people.”
The Mayor and the rest of Council agreed and rejected that proposal unanimously.
As there are no substantive changes in the risks presented by the current GlenVista Peak proposal, “transparent” or not, it must be rejected again! We also believe that Council should not renounce their responsibility by passing the decisions to their Administration under the Direct Control district approach.
Sincerely,
Kathy Estey
President
GlenEagles Community Association
