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Developer approvaldoes not make sense
After an intensive, ranging study, Contra Costa County’s Planning Commission voted 5-1 against the Spieker Senior Development Partners’ proposed leveling, paving of the 30 pastoral acres of Walnut Creek’s Seven Hills Ranch to build luxury villas and $2.7 million two-bedroom condos for the half of the one percent of retirees, removing in the process over 400 oxygen-producing trees, 353 of them protected under Contra Costa County Protection and Preservation.
But despite overwhelming public opposition to this environmental catastrophe, at Tuesday’s meeting of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, that quintet voted 5-0 in favor of Menlo Park and Atherton-based multibillionaire developer Ned Spieker Jr.’s proposal.
Clearly, something does not add up.
Mike ScottWalnut Creek
Big money has wonin Walnut Creek
I attended the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, where the board unanimously voted to approve the Spieker Corporation’s proposal to level and clear the stunning Seven Hills Ranch property for wealthy senior housing.
While supported by a few hoping to live there after the five years that Walnut Creek residents will live through horrific turmoil of the decimation and construction, the project was opposed by over 4,000 people who signed a petition protesting the travesty of this decision. Hundreds of residents and experts watched and waited over six hours to make their 90-second impassioned pleas for rejection. To summarize the board’s comments before voting, they basically told their constituents, “We know what is best for you, you don’t get a choice, so get over it.”
Take note when you get to vote again, and remember who doesn’t represent you: Karen Mitchoff (retired today), Federal Glover, Diane Burgis, John Gioia and Candace Andersen. Big money wins again.
Marian HarrisWalnut Creek
Students must call outinequities on campus
You reported on the walkout of striking student workers among UC campuses (“48,000 UC academic workers go on strike,” Page A1, Nov. 15). The strike highlights that a lot of the mistreatment of college students is often largely swept under the rug.
As a college student, I am not only employed by my Bay Area campus but I am also financially independent living in one of the most expensive places in the country. What people don’t realize are the sacrifices that students are forced to make. For example, nutrition is often a college student’s lowest priority, and research has shown that higher wages equate to healthier grocery options and time to prioritize health in general.
One thing that could really make a difference is raising wages proportionately to the rising cost of living. I urge other college students to speak up and call out the inequalities that take place on their campuses.
Alexis PeckHayward
State’s manufacturedcrisis bad for residents
Regarding the so-called “housing crisis,” the deep-pocketed real estate/construction industry has our lawmakers convinced that the public must be forced to buy more of their product. It’s as if the Asparagus Growers Collective convinced the Legislature to require us all to eat more asparagus.
A recent article in the Times lamented how Gov. Newsom had failed in his promise to build 3.5 million new homes in California. As if the solution to our problems was more water users, more car drivers, more classroom sitters.
Jim HoganEl Sobrante
Opening FasTrak laneswill hasten traffic jams
Re. “Opening FasTrak lanes matches ideals,” Page A16, Nov. 27:
On this subject, I just want to say the following:
First, the use of express lanes should not be available for free to electric cars because they do not contribute as much as gas cars do to maintain the highways.
Second, supposedly, someday, everyone or almost everyone will have a FasTrak transponder, then the FasTrak lanes will become subject to the same traffic jams as the other lanes. Tell me where is the advantage of having those? What a waste for the users.
Horacio CavaleiroDublin
