Regional
Sierra Club endorses Baltimore Ravine project in Auburn as ‘smart growth’
Author: Mother Lode Chapter Sierra Club
Published on Sep 8, 2010 - 12:22:48 PM

AUBURN, Calif. Sept. 8, 2010 - As part of an effort to recognize and encourage smart growth, the Sierra Club has endorsed the proposed Baltimore Ravine residential and commercial project in Auburn, citing it as a model for future development in the foothills.

Located in the city limits, the 277-acre site would have 725 homes and 90,000 square feet of commercial in a compact pedestrian-friendly community tucked in hills between Interstate 80 and Indian Hill Road. The Auburn Planning Commission is scheduled to hold public hearings on the project on Sept. 21 and Nov. 16, with final action by the City Council expected in early 2011.

“For development in Placer County, Baltimore Ravine is quite compact,” said Terry Davis, a volunteer with the Placer Group and a coordinator with the larger Mother Lode Chapter. “More than half the homes would be clustered around a park and a shopping area, creating a walkable village in which residents could drive less and have smaller carbon footprints. And we are also pleased that ten percent of the homes would be affordable to those with modest incomes.”

The Sierra Club praised Baltimore Ravine for respecting the existing habitat and topography. The project completely avoids development near the central creek and the large impressive wooded ravine, which is its namesake. There also would be no development on steep hillsides, with homes limited to relatively flat areas. More than half the site would be left in natural open space.

Sierra Club Placer Group Chair Marilyn Jasper said members discussed the issue at length before voting to support the development. “In addition to taking a stand against projects, which we often do, we want to acknowledge projects that adhere to environmentally sound principles. We hope this endorsement will show that with careful planning, even in very challenging terrain, developments can protect natural resources and meet future housing needs.”

To help reach a decision, the Placer Group’s elected Executive Committee used a smart growth checklist to rate the Baltimore Ravine project. The result was a favorable score of 11.5 on 14 smart growth criteria, or 82%. “Demand for new homes in the foothills will no doubt return, and when it does we need to have responsible ways of dealing with it. Otherwise that demand will be met by the usual suburban sprawl which destroys the character of the foothills,” Davis said.

City of Auburn, Baltimore Ravine Specific Plan Notices and Documents:
http://www.auburn.ca.gov/services/CommDev/cdBaltimoreRavine.html

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