Mirabella Condominium Project - 001

Proposed 154 Unit Condos 3 Story Buildings

Elliott Homes is in the process of requesting the City of Folsom to rezone the property on the corner of Golf Links and East Natoma Street in Empire Ranch from Retail to Medium Density Multi Family. The current zoning is based on the original Master Plan and now the builder wants to put in three story condos instead of the original neighborhood retail shopping center that was promised to the residents when they bought their homes.

Patrick Warholic, an Empire Ranch resident, has been meeting with various people within the City of Folsom Planning Department and has accumulated a lot of current information. In addition to being a concerned resident, he is also a Realtor with Coldwell Banker here in Folsom, an Ambassador with the Folsom Chamber of Commerce, and actively attends as many Folsom City Council Meetings as his schedule permits to enable him to stay in touch as much as possible with all things concerning Folsom.

The purpose of this community service forum is to provide a central place for all Empire Ranch and Parkway residents to communicate information regarding not only this issue, but any other issues that come to the forefront of Community concerns. The intent is to post regular updates every time additional information on this project becomes available. All concerned citizens are also encouraged to post any questions, comments, or information that would be related to this project. Simply scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Comments".

The individual in charge of this condominiums project for the city of Folsom is Steve Banks, Associate Planner in the Folsom Planning Department and the main City Planner who works on all of Elliott Homes projects. His e-mail address is mailto:sbanks@folsom.ca.us?subject=Mirabella, phone number is 916-355-7385, and fax number is 916-355-7274.

Steve explained, that the City of Folsom is neutral on issues like this. The City, by law, has to react to proposed zoning change requests when they materialize from anyone, including Elliott. He went on to explain that the neighboring residents have a lot of power to determine what goes on in their community if they all speak with a common voice.

Patrick goes on to further explain that while there is currently a lot of ground preparation work going on, this entire project is still very much in the proposal stage and it is up to us, as concerned neighbors, to make ourselves be heard by the proper people and keep this from happening. We still have the ability, if we stand together, to keep this section of land for a friendly, trendy, neighborhood gathering retail shopping area.

As in any group of people, some people in the neighborhood might prefer condos over a retail center at this location. Most people happen to think that if we could get a nice Italian theme neighborhood retail center, with the right ambiance, complete with outdoor cafes, a coffee house, a local restaurant, a specialty meat market, and other high end establishments, the majority of the local residents could benefit. We have the hiking trails and bike trails throughout our communities and what could be nicer than taking a walk or bike ride to eat, shop, or meet friends at our neighborhood center? If condos went in, the only people who would benefit are Elliott and the new home owners who buy them. (I hate to think about how this additional density would adversely affect an overcrowding situation at our Empire Oaks Elementary School).

Steve explained that there are three opportunities for the public to make their desires heard:

1. The upcoming Design Review process (First meeting Thursday, August 25, 2005 at 07:30 A.M.) with the Architectural Review Commission, to be followed by,
2. The Folsom City Planning Commission where they meet to decide the question on whether or not to recommended rezoning from Retail to Multi-Family, and then finally,
3. LAST CHANCE! The Folsom City Council meeting where the final decision will be made.

Architectural Review Meeting

The first step in the process is for the Architectural Review Commissioners to meet with the public to review the proposed design of the project and the buildings. It is here that decisions are made regarding the look and feel of the project, i.e., number of stories, roof design (high pitched vs. flat, etc.). As several Commissioners told me, this is where the local citizens can first be heard. It is here that we can demand, for instance, that three story condos completely destroy the look and feel of the community where we bought our homes. We can demand that, for instance, IF we are unable for some reason or another to stop the rezoning process, then in the worst case, we want only single story units with a lot of grass and open space (which by the way makes the project much more expensive and unappealing to Elliott). After all, we bought our homes in this community for the look and feel that is currently here and we do not want that changed.

This first meeting with the Architectural Review Commission is now scheduled for Thursday, August 25, 2005 at the Folsom Community Development Department, 50 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA 95630-2696, (location map) at 07:30 A.M. sharp. I know this is tough for many people to make this meeting, but we all need to make a concerted effort to get out in force to make ourselves be heard. This meeting is already on my schedule and I plan on being there early because I hope we have a large crowd. After the meeting is over, as with any additional information that I get, I will post an update to this forum for all of those who many not be able to make it.

Keep in mind that this phase of the project is only the first battle, but it is a battle none the less that needs to be fought so we have something that is at the very least somewhat less offensive, if for what ever reason we are unable to stop the rezoning process during the second and third stage meetings (Planning Commission and City Council)

Your Presence Counts

The one thing we all need to keep in mind is what one member of the Architectural Review Commission told me: "This like anything else in the City is all very political and the only thing that counts in politics is NUMBERS." The more people we can band together to fight this condo project the more our local officials/politicians will listen and be more willing to decide in our favor. If very few people object, then it will be a done deal. We need to have as many people as possible FLOODING the Architectural Review Commissioners, the Planning Commissioners, the Mayor and City Council Representatives, with not only our voices in phone calls and e-mails, but with our physical presence at as many of these various related meetings as possible, starting with the one next Thursday, one week from today. See > map location & directions.

I for one, do not want to see three story condos in the middle of our neighborhood! I am available to meet with anyone else who would like to join in putting together a steering committee so we can put some structure to our battle with Elliott. It will take a coordinated effort on everyone's behalf and will do what ever I can to assist in the process.

For the record, the SMUD power substation is still going to be built at the far north end of this property. The current plans still call for overhead lines running from the substation, across the street toward the park and school, and then north along the east side of East Natoma Street, unless we can somehow convince the City of Folsom to come up with a way to pay for the lines to be placed underground. This is another battle that can be won, if we can get enough people fired up about it, but unfortunately, this issue is really in the 11th hour and not much time left.

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Now, as far as the condo project goes we really are on the front end of this one. I have already met with some people from the Parkway who are as concerned about the condo project as we are here in Empire Ranch. With a combined, coordinated effort from residents of both the Parkway and Empire Ranch, we should be able to mount a significant and hopefully successful defense against this condo project.

If anyone wants to get together to meet and discuss/brainstorm ideas, please contact me. I live in the new Meritage Community off Golf Links and my schedule is quite flexible, depending on client requirements, so I can meet most any time of the day.

As a suggestion, for our first meeting, I will be at Starbucks Broadstone (on corner of East Bidwell and Broadstone Parkway) this Saturday morning, August 20, 2005 at 08:00 for coffee. Anyone interested in hearing more about this project, or has any ideas on how we can quickly contact more people in Empire Ranch and the Parkway so as to start building a ground swell of public opinion against this project, please join me. I look forward to meeting with all of you as soon as possible.

It's a good life here in Folsom. Make it a great weekend!

Best regards,
Patrick Warholic

Realtor, and Home Marketing Consultant
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Office: 916-608-3948
Cell: 916-208-3892
In-home Office: 916-983-9989
E-mail: mailto:pwarholic@calhomenet.com?subject=Empire
California Home Network website: calhomenet.com
The Internet Home Marketing Center

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