Brentwood Press_5.29.09

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa

Vol. 11, No. 22

Including Surrounding Communities

City Council modifies, OKs Sciortino project by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer A controversial project slated for the largest remaining undeveloped parcel in the city moved forward Tuesday with both restrictions and flexibility reflective of its uniqueness. The 65-acre Sciortino Ranch property sits at the intersection of Brentwood Boulevard and Sand Creek Road. Planning has been underway for the property for more than two years, and some of the possibilities floated have stirred neighbors’ opposition. Major points of concern included a deviation from the city’s policy on required park land and the number of apartments the project could include. “The uniqueness and importance of this project cannot be overstated,” said the city staff report on the project, “especially considering its strategic location along what is expected to be a revitalized portion of the Brentwood Boulevard cor-

ridor, its large size, its location at a key intersection, the built-in flexibility for future development and the fact that it is surrounded on all sides by either existing or approved development.” In order to have the flexibility to develop the sight under “volatile” economic conditions, architect David Gates said a new approach to project planning was used. Multiple uses would provide housing, employment and shopping, all with an eye to “walkability.” Getting people out of cars and on foot within the project would yield health, environmental and social benefits, he said, while a mix of Mediterranean, cottage, American heritage and traditional architecture would enhance the area’s attractiveness and ambience. In order to provide the walkability, developer New Urban Communities proposed a number of plazas, village greens, private recreation areas and landscaped walkways be included, and requested those

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Ripe for picking

Photo by Stacey Chance/DiscoveryBayStudios.com

rentwood resident Andrea Laguna picks cherries at Chavez U-Pick on Marsh Creek Road during the traditional Memorial Day Weekend opening of the UPick season. Brentwood’s biggest tourism draw is only one of a host of affordable, enjoyable summer activities you can learn more about beginning on Page 10A in today’s Press.

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amenities be eligible to fulfill part of the 5-acres-per-1,000-residents parks requirement in the city’s General Plan. Neighborhood and linear parks amounting to 5.1 acres were also included in the proposal. Members of the city staff, as well as city parks commissioners past and present, joined with residents in asking the council not to reduce the city’s park standards. “We created (the standards) this way for a reason,” said Jan Mel-

loni, one of the city’s original park commissioners who helped draw up the standards. “We’ve won awards for what we have. This (deviation) is for the developer to make money at the expense of the residents of Brentwood. If you allow it, other people will say, ‘You did it for them; do it for us,’ and then our city will be in decline.” The three councilmen pres-

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May 29, 2009

THIS WEEK

Making troop support fun

Local vets in need are getting a boost from folks who know how to party hearty.

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Family deals with disaster The community is rallying to the aid of residents who’ve been dealt some devastating blows.

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Pros roll into town

see Project page 13A

Far East County memorializes the fallen by Stacey Chance

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10789 Ladies Auxiliary place a wreath on the grave of Sgt. Charles R. McCurtain, who died in Vietnam, during Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday. For more pictures, see Page 21A.

Correspondent The morning sun shone brightly at Union Cemetery as Brentwood’s Memorial Day ceremony, led by Veterans of Foreign Wars & Ladies Auxiliary of Sgt. Charles R. McCurtain VFW Post 10789, paid tribute to the men and women who have died serving in our nation’s armed forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was established to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, and expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action. Speakers at the Brentwood event included Post Commander Nick Papadakos, Master of Ceremonies David Cooper, Reverend Leslie Harrold, Sgt. Vincent Sylva, Voice of

Photo by Stacey Chance/ DiscoveryBayStudios.com

Democracy essay scholarship winner La Tia Winfrey from Freedom High School, and Brentwood mayor Bob Taylor. Also on hand were Boy Scout Troop 90/93, the Liberty High School Band, Select Men’s JAG, Women’s DIVA, and Pink Ladies. The ceremony included the pledge of allegiance, presentation of roses to those who

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have lost a veteran family member, placing of the wreath, rifle salute, and closing benediction. The observance ended with the song “Wind Beneath My Wings” augmented by the flyover of a U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy out of Travis Air Force Base. For more on the day’s activities, turn to page 21A.

Amateurs got to share lanes with the big boys when the senior professional tour made its annual visit.

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INSIDE Calendar ..........................19B Classifieds ........................12B Entertainment .................. 8B Food .................................10B Health & Beauty ............... 6B Opinion ...........................14A Recreation .......................10A Sports ................................. 1B WebExtras! ....................... 1B

New Coupons online today at thepress.net. Look for your coupon book in next week’s paper!

FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A


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