Letter: Yuba Highlands will help Yuba County

The River Highlands Community Plan, predecessor to the Yuba Highlands Area Plan, was approved more than 10 years ago. The new Yuba Highlands plan was recommended by the Yuba County Planning Commission and reaffirmed by the Board of Supervisors. Now we turn back the clock to River Highlands, and bring the issue back to the voters.

It did not take long for a group of citizens, misguided by Hal Stocker, to get this issue on the ballot. But is it appropriate for a member of the Board of Supervisors (who loses a board vote) to gather signatures to put that issue before the voters?

Yuba Highlands will enhance future Beale Air Force Base mission proposals with the availability of good local housing above the flood plain. Paving the roadway through the Spenceville Wildlife Area is far better than the trail of dust and dirt that comes with a trip through the area today.

Overall, traffic congestion is grossly overstated by opponents of the Yuba Highlands plan. The 5,100 homes of Yuba Highlands are no more a traffic problem than the 10,000 homes planned just outside Wheatland or the 6,200-home Woodbury project off Erle Road.

Bottom line: There are more than 29,000 homes on the drawing board for Yuba County. Why single out Yuba Highlands for traffic congestion?

Yuba County voters stop things from happening, and thus we are one of the poorest counties in California. Voters, let's lift this poor county image and make things happen for Yuba County. Vote yes on Yuba Highlands.

Paul R. Laino

Camp Far West