Madison -- one last try > Rexroad.com

So I am told that the people of Madison are not happy with me. They don't like my views about the proposed residential development in their community.

Oh well. The proposal to put up to 1,335 new homes in this community is quite possibly the silliest thing I could imagine. I completely disagree with this policy and will live with the consequences that come my way.

Some people say -- "We need homes for the casino workers". I say -- Great idea. Put the homes in Esparto so they will be closer to schools, out of a flood zone, and closer to the casino.

Some people say -- "We need to solve the flooding problem". I say -- another great idea! When they finish with the road improvements of Highway 16 2/3 of your problem will be solved. Then the existing residents of Madison can invest in a flood solution for the small part that is left.

Some people say "The County needs the money". My response is that our economic folks have told us that we don't make money unless the homes are $400,000 and up. Those are not the kind of homes that are going to get built in Madison. The county is building a service delivery problem by doing this. We are building a community that is going to cost more than it will bring to the table.

Some people say -- "Yolo County does not promote urban sprawl. We would never approve something like Wild Wings again." My response is -- Right. Sure we do. Having Madison grow by 11 times the current number of homes is exactly what I define as urban sprawl. It is pretty hard to come up with a definition of sprawl that does not fit what is being proposed for Madison.

Some people say -- "We need to do this to help the existing residents of Madison." I say that the people of Madison can't expect the new residents of the community to buy them off with resources that the current residents are unwilling to contribute on their own. I will not support a program that jacks up the cost of new homes to prevent the people of Madison from making an investment in their community.

Some people say -- "What about the industrial needs and commercial on the freeway?" I think that a proposal that just included industrial and highway commercial might make some sense. But increasing the population by 11 times is not necessary to do that."

Some people say -- "Look Matt this thing is going to pass. Get over it." I simply respond by saying this is dumbest proposal we have considered in the General Plan. It violates almost every measure of good planning that I am aware of. I am not going to support the residential component of this under any circumstances. I may lose 4-1 but I am going to make my case.

Comments

By Charlie in Japan @ Tuesday, September 18, 2007 11:06 AM

Matt...."Charlie (now) in 'Esparto' " here.

You are correct on Madison...It is no place to be building homes until they find a solution for the Lamb Valley and Willow watershed runoff.

Also, the 'Burkenstock Crowd’ out here wants to build round-a-bouts on Highway 16 (one at each end of town) and the nuttiest idea of all....rather than put a stop light a the school so kids could safely cross the highway to and form school (which was approved by CalTrans)...they stop the project so they could put 'knob-outs' instead thinking it will just slow traffic and get the Casnio traffic to stop to spend money (completly foolish and puts kids at risk!!!!).

It is really 'Kookie' out here now. Hopefully common sence will prevail

S/F Charlie in Esparto

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