Op-Ed: Plenty of reasons to vote 'no' on Yuba Highlands

I don't think there has ever been this much agreement on a land-use issue in the history of Yuba County. Many citizens have been saying for five years that Yuba Highlands was a bad idea. Although the reasons are surely different, even the developer is now saying, "No on N, No on Yuba Highlands."

Mr. Gallelli, the developer, has said that negotiating with the unions and environmental groups who have fought Yuba Highlands is crucial to winning approval for the new project he now envisions. At the same time, he already has his new project in mind (4,000 to 4,400 homes on 2,219 acres instead of 5,100 homes on 2,900 acres).

I'm having a hard time seeing a difference in impacts. Even though he has decided not to build the improved road south through the Spenceville Wildlife Area (that, I agree, is a good decision - Spenceville deserves the protection), a new road through Beale is also a bad idea. This road will be growth-inducing and could lower security at Beale. The bottom line is, Gallelli's new proposal is only about 15 percent smaller, still 20,000 new vehicle trips per day in an area so far distant from public services that it could drain county government attention away from our existing communities.

It is clear that Mr. Gallelli's motivation is not just to "do a better project." He mentioned the downturn in market conditions. He doesn't mention the fact that all indications are that the Yuba Highlands project would go down to overwhelming defeat on Feb. 5. Is it being too cynical to suggest that by asking his supporters to vote "no," he is attempting to obscure and devalue the results of the election? Is it being cynical to suggest that by waiting until less than three weeks before the election, he was running down the bank account of the No on N Committee? Did he just now notice the downturn in the housing market?

A final point can be made about his contention that he wants his supporters to vote "no" because he would be obligated to build the project if the referendum passed. This is a very strange contention, a plea of, "Please save me from myself." However, a developer earns the right to build a project. If a project is approved, a developer earns the right to build the project within certain constraints, not an obligation to build it. In addition, it is common practice for developers to request and receive approval for all sorts of changes to projects once they are underway. No, it appears Mr. Gallelli is not seeking to be relieved of a burden to build; he is seeking to avoid the embarrassment of a sound defeat at the polls.

Building 5,000 homes in a remote location is a daunting undertaking. It is really not a surprise that things have unraveled for Yuba Highlands. Given that he seems to be playing with the electoral process, it only seems appropriate that Mr. Gallelli pay for the costs incurred by the county for the inclusion of Yuba Highlands on the ballot.

On another note, all those involved have come away wiser. Certainly the citizens of Yuba County should realize they can have a strong voice in public decisions beyond the election of officials. A more informed and active electorate is a good thing.

Let's send a clear message: Any large-scale development at Yuba Highlands is bad for Yuba County. Please vote "no" on Yuba Highlands.

Mary Jane Griego, 3rd District supervisor for Yuba County, voted against Yuba Highlands.