June 27^th, 2006

Fillmore Gazette

408 Orchard Street

Fillmore , CA   93015

Editor,

As a member of Citizens for Responsible Growth, I have read the daunting EIR (Environmental Impact Report) to learn about the North Fillmore Specific Plan. It’s quite a process. The document is thick, heavy and runs in excess of 1,000 pages.

In this document are studies, technical data and analysis of the factors of our environment. Reading and researching the North Fillmore Specific Plan EIR is where and how we learned about school and parkland deficiencies, traffic volumes, noise and agricultural land destruction among other things.

Now that I have read the EIR and General Plan for the City, things are starting to make so much more sense. I see how there could be a conflict between the City hall and the citizens. I suppose there are some folks here who knew that every square inch of property in the city is destined for the maximum development possible. There are plans for some parkland – but, it is the absolute bare minimum.

The General Plan EIR includes the statement that the City will come up with an “aggressive marketing plan” to develop commercial and residential property.

Folks, while we were getting a “Vision 2020” of “slow, controlled growth” City Hall was “aggressively marketing” the city to developers.

If there is anyone who thinks the North Fillmore Specific Plan is a good idea, I urge you to read the EIR or even the General Plan for the facts.

Gayle Washburn