Fillmore Gazette: Question 2

Today, Fillmore is experiencing the greatest number of construction projects in its history. This will significantly and permanently impact our community in many ways. Do you support the Council’s recent decision to approve a maximum of 700 new dwelling units in north Fillmore? If so, or not, why?

No, I do not support the decision to approve the maximum of 700 new dwelling units. There are various reasons. Reading the EIR (Environmental Impact Report) was a big eye opener. All of the significant impacts were spelled out in impeccable detail, impacts that will deteriorate our quality of life to a significant degree here in Fillmore. I do not believe that the impacts can or will be mitigated.

I believe that the area is inappropriate for that many homes. Geographically, the area is trapped in a narrow space with no egress to the west, north or east. The area is subject to fires, flooding and earthquakes so a timely evacuation would be difficult. Right now we do not have the sewer capacity or water capacity for more homes without massive expenditures for infrastructure.

The public’s concerns regarding traffic, schools, parks, air quality and noise have been dismissed by the City. There was no outreach from the City to inform the public of the scale of this project. Until the EIR came out and the public hearings began, there was very little information from the City to the community.

We are already exceeding SCAG’s current population data forecasts and by 2020 we will overshoot that year’s forecast by 37%! We need to ask ourselves why this is happening, who is behind this, who benefits and what will our town look like in just a few short years.