Initial Study MND - Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and ...
Initial Study MND - Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and ...
Initial Study MND - Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and ...
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Taylor MountainINITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONII. Maurine Caplinger Letter <strong>and</strong> PhotographsJuly 12, 2012Sara Press<strong>Agricultural</strong> <strong>Preservation</strong> <strong>and</strong> Open Space District747 Mendocino AvenueSanta Rosa, CA 95401Dear Staff:Please accept these comments on the adequacy of the Draft <strong>Initial</strong><strong>Study</strong> <strong>and</strong> Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/<strong>MND</strong>) for the TaylorMountain Regional Park <strong>and</strong> Open Space Preserve Master Plan.1. INTRODUCTION<strong>Preservation</strong> of this property was a great achievement, <strong>and</strong> I amvery much in support of such acquisitions. My comments are, thereforeonly specific to the proposed Bath-Watt access to the park via Holl<strong>and</strong>Heights Road <strong>and</strong> Panorama Drive. Although there is some mention oflimited access via this “staging area” or trailhead, the limitationsare ephemeral <strong>and</strong> vague. Unfortunately the open ended nature of thelanguage <strong>and</strong> easement leave open significant potential for increase inuses, <strong>and</strong> more importantly traffic, in the short- <strong>and</strong> long-term. I donot think the IS/<strong>MND</strong> is adequate to evaluate the impacts of theincreased traffic that will result from planned <strong>and</strong> potentialspecially permitted activities, renovated barn, <strong>and</strong> other potentialuses. This access point may very well turn into a popular trailheadat a location that is accessed by very narrow <strong>and</strong> inferiorroadways. I believe the Master Plan can <strong>and</strong> must be modified toensure that those who currently use, <strong>and</strong> new users, of the roadwaysare safe <strong>and</strong> the environment is protected. I look forward to speakingwith you regarding such modifications.2. ABSENCE OF ANY TRAFFIC ANALYSISThe IS/<strong>MND</strong> admits that analysis of the Bath-Watt access point hasonly been superficial.The IS/<strong>MND</strong> states that, "[a] qualitative discussion is presentedfor the other access locations at Linwood Avenue <strong>and</strong> Bath‐Watt (viaPanorama Drive). Given the low traffic volume of these locations, afull quantitative analysis was not appropriate or necessary."The IS/<strong>MND</strong> goes on to say, "[r]oadway segment analysis ofBennett Valley Road was not included in the level of servicecalculations because of the small amount of traffic that would beadded to Panorama Drive, used to access the Bath‐Watt staging area.This is due to the proposed restricted access at the Bath‐Watt stagingSeptember 2012 APP-17 Final
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