YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 9, No. 42
Including Surrounding Communities
City council seeks, and delays, input by Samie Hartley Staff Writer
The Oakley City Council Tuesday said it needed more public input before deciding on one issue before it, but declined hear more testimony on another more contentious item carried over from September. During a work session for the Oakley Downtown Specific Plan’s draft environmental impact report, only one person spoke up when the public was invited to make comments regarding downtown development. Councilman Bruce Connelley said he didn’t think that was enough. “We have 33,000 more people,” he said. “I realize the focus of this meeting is to direct staff to conduct outreach programs to our downtown businesses and other stakeholders regarding the specific plan’s EIR, and we’re seeing it tonight that it’s obvious that we need to put forth
a strong effort (to get public input.) “The downtown affects everybody, not just the downtown businesses, and if we have to go knocking door to door to let people know and encourage them to show up, then we need to bend over backward to let them know that we need their input. We need your involvement. I don’t want to see anyone come back and say, ‘You didn’t tell us.’” Connelley said he understood time constraints make it difficult for business owners to attend council meetings but he advised staff to take whatever steps necessary to make sure everyone in town knows about the project. Councilman Jim Frazier agreed. He said it’s important to make sure everyone is aware of the project because those who operate their businesses from home might want to relocate to the downtown area once
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Rain floats his boat
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October 16, 2009
THIS WEEK
Creep-out calendar
Dust off your coffins and tune up your broomsticks. You’ll find our lineup of East County Halloween events a real scream.
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Patriotic procession Photo by Heather Schubert
ocal kayaker Jarred Schubert didn’t let the rainstorm last Tuesday dampen his spirits. When the Freedom Falcons water polo practice was canceled, Jarred went for a paddle on the school’s submerged soccer field instead. When asked what’s his motive was, Jarred replied he was “just getting in a little extra time in for my White Water Merit Badge!”
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see Input page 18A
World War II veterans will be front and center at a stirring East County parade on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
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Falcons douse Patriot fire
Concern over project’s impacts on Highway 4 by Dave Roberts Staff Writer A plan to construct more than 12,000 houses, apartments and condos along with more than 6 million square feet of shopping centers and business parks on the old Concord Naval Weapons Station property has East County residents and officials concerned it will significantly worsen traffic congestion on Highway 4. “If East County does not act together and the Naval Weapons Station (development) comes on line in five years, there is no bond money and there will be no improvements on that section of highway,” Antioch resident Terry Ramus said to East County officials at the last Transplan meeting. “Right now you back up on Willow Pass every morning – even during a down economy. If the economy comes back, we will not be able to get out of East County to get to work. East County needs to take a position on it.” The Antioch City Council on Tuesday agreed to join with other East County cities and the county to write a letter expressing concerns about the planned development and urging that adequate measures be put
“ If the economy comes back, we will not be able to get out of East County to work. East County needs to take a position on it.
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Antioch resident Terry Ramus in place to lessen the traffic impacts from the new residents and businesses that might move into the 5,000-acre site on the other side of the hill to Central County. Antioch Mayor Jim Davis has also spoken at one of the Concord planning meetings for the project. “I stated then that I am concerned about the impacts on Highway 4 with a major subdivision or cluster of homes and villages,” he said. “If that dumps onto Highway 4 without mitigation, then traffic in East County (will worsen). “We have been trying to get BART out here and Highway 4 widened for the last 25 years. We are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. And here we see possible impacts of gridlock at the top of Willow
Pass for everybody. “I think we need to speak up. I think we can throw our wrench in it and make sure they will mitigate for Antioch, Oakley and Highway 4. I am not opposed to the development and their being able to plan their own land. But when it impacts Highway 4, it impacts us.” The weapons station project is not yet a done deal. It’s currently in the draft environmental impact report (EIR) stage; a final EIR is expected next spring. The draft EIR confirms that traffic will worsen on Highway 4 east of the weapons station property if either of two projects is built out by 2030. The preferred alternative of clustered villages devotes half of the property to parks, recreation and open space. It would accommodate up to 12,272 residential units and 6.2 million square feet of commercial and retail space. The other possible project, known as the Concentration and Conservation Alternative, places most of the housing, retail and commercial development north of Willow Pass Road. It would accommodate up see Impacts page 18A
Heritage played better in the rematch, but couldn’t match Freedom’s aquatic athleticism.
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INSIDE Calendar ..........................27B Classifieds ........................16B Cop Logs ..........................12A Entertainment ................13B Food .................................14B Health & Beauty .............11B Milestones .......................10B Opinion ...........................13A Sports ................................. 1B WebExtras! ....................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A