Foothills Sentry September 2020

Foothills Sentry Page 16 September 2020 Learn more at eocwd.com JOIN TODAY! Activities • Friendship • Programs VPWL.org Heart of Shadowland Residential Care Facility for The Elderly Administrators & Licensee Facility #306001441 Karen Fields & Jan Soule’ (714) 710-9020 (714) 724-5186 klsfields@yahoo.com Modjeska Canyon 28342 Shadowland, Silverado, CA 92676 ers would indeed impact traffic in the area. Fire safety, evacuation routes and limited access were also noted. “The club is a natu- ral fire break and safety area for responders,” Brian Bullard said. “Public Works needs to study in- gress and egress for safety; emer- gencies must be properly consid- ered.” Glen Piper found Zehnder’s claim that the development met the demand for “down housing” to be ingenuous. “The site is not senior friendly,” he pointed out. “No sidewalks, no amenities, no public transportation, nothing within walking distance.” A major sticking point for neighbors is a 1974 restrictive covenant between the then-club owner and adjacent property owners that limits the site’s use to a commercial or noncommercial tennis club. The covenant trans- fers with the property. A shaky start One of Zehnder’s opening re- marks apparently annoyed the committee, as reflected later by NTAC members, and went further downhill during the question and answer period. “You said NTAC had issues with development,” NTAC Secretary Mike Fioravanti recounted, “What did you mean by that? We are not against de- velopment, but we live here. We want to do what’s right.” NTAC’s Pat Welch also men- tioned the “issues with develop- ment” remark and reported that the committee had OK’d multiple projects that were compatible with the community. The project applicant said he didn’t recall saying that, offered an apology and proceeded to skirt questions asked by the commit- tee. He wouldn’t say how many partners were in his investment group, other than “the group can grow or shrink.” Had his team explored any easements that may be needed? He didn’t know. Was he aware that easements might be needed? He “assumed so,” but hadn’t knocked on any doors. Welch asked what the price point would be on the new units. He wasn’t sure, but “it would de- pend on timing, the marketplace and ultimately what is built.” Nothing ventured Queried about his response to letters written to the county by the City of Tustin and the FCA challenging the lack of an EIR, Zehnder was unsure whether staff had responded to individual com- ments. “We haven’t had an op- portunity to discuss details yet.” And the restrictive covenant? “Our position is that it isn’t part of the development review pro- cess,” he explained. “It has to be considered, but it’s separate. We have no response to the covenant at this time.” What about surveys to back up the claim that there is pent up demand in North Tustin for this type of housing? “We’ve done studies, but I don’t have reams of information in front of me.” Fioravanti expressed disap- pointment with the overall Ranch Hills presentation. “I thought we’d get more answers; we still have a lot of questions.” “We didn’t get fully thought out responses from the develop- er,” NTAC member Kendra Car- ney added. “I don’t think this is a compatible use and I’ve heard no support for it.” Zone groan “The bigger issue is rezoning,” Pat Welch emphasized. “It’s not appropriate here. I see a domino effect in North Tustin, a continu- ing negative movement in that direction." “The applicant didn’t come with a fully baked proposal,” Chair Peter Schneider summa- rized. “It’s a distressing feeling that too much is left unsaid -- a little bit of hide the ball. That we won’t hear the full story until the Board of Supervisors hearing.” Schneider motioned to deny the zone change, use permit and tract map based on “all the reasons we discussed today. Kirk Hahn sec- onded it. NTAC’s denial is advisory to the county. Ranch Hills will next be heard by the planning com- mission, which will in turn make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, who will have the final word. North Tustin residents remain confident that Supervisor Don Wagner, who has said publicly he would not allow the development to happen, will influence the rest of the Board. See "NTAC" continued from page 1 Anaheim Library earns awards Anaheim Public Library, which boasts three branches in Anaheim Hills, has been recognized for three national awards. The first is the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award. The successful Orange County Zine Fest (OCZF), an annual event where DIY creators host a “table” to promote their in- dependently and self-published zines, earned the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award. This is first-time win for the Anaheim Public Library. The library is the only library in Or- ange County to provide zines in its collection. The additional awards were received from the American Li- brary Association (ALA) PR Xchange for the library-Anaheim Ducks partnership, and the video “Always on the go?” which pro- motes the use of eBooks and au- diobooks. Though the libraries’ physical doors may be closed during the pandemic, the virtual doors are always open. Tustin Hills Racquet Club