D’backs, Cougars win at home
Two decades of learning
Weekend sees memories made on the gridiron.
Charter University Prep celebrates exceptional education experience.
Sports, A6
News, etc., B1
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Volume 170 • Issue 38 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Hoppin’ high-five
Montaño expansion plans ready for next round Sel Richard Staff writer
Photos by Laurie Edwards
The West brothers Santino, 2, Bentson, 7, and Harvey, 4, of Cameron Park greet the Easter Bunny with enthusiastic high-fives after gathering up hidden eggs during Saturday’s egg hunt at Dave West Park in Cameron Park. The park, which is named after their late grandfather, was one of three where the Cameron Park Community Services District held its annual egg hunt.
Basket in hand, Shingle Springs youngster Jett Sheppard, 2, above, finds an egg at Northview Park. Veronika Zhidovlenko, 4, of Cameron Park, right photo, shows the eggs she gathered from the climbing wall at Rasmussen Park.
Traffic and noise issues headlined last week’s El Dorado County Planning Commission hearing on the Montaño De El Dorado Master Plan — a shadow that almost derailed the area’s expansion that currently houses Relish Burger and Pottery World south along Latrobe Road to the Monte Verde intersection. The 16.85-acre proposed phase II expansion consists of nine commercial buildings with a combined total of approximately 80,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, commercial and office uses, a 55,136-square-foot, 100-room Marriott Springhill Suites hotel, a community pavilion and 526 parking spaces. A building along the east side of the parcel troubled commissioners, particularly a 70-foot tower that could cast shadows on the houses lining the area directly behind it. “I need an exhibit to see what that looks like from the residential side,” insisted Commissioner James Williams. “There are potentially more impacts than what we understand at this point given the extreme difference in grade between these two parcels. To me that’s the biggest part that we’re tasked with, the interface between the existing residential and the commercial development. I don’t think we have enough here to fully understand that.” Ultimately, Montaño developer Vinal Perkins offered to remove the tower completely to bring the building’s height down to 50 feet, though its proximity to the parcel’s edge continued to raise concerns. Two additional entrances are planned, including a right in/right out only driveway at Latrobe Road near the southern edge of the site. The buildout also extends Post Street at White Rock Road southward through the plaza terminating at a new signalized Latrobe Road entrance. Residents said they are worried the new signal would encourage drivers to avoid Latrobe Road in favor of a shortcut through the Monte Verde neighborhood but traffic consultant Matt Weir of KimleyHorn was confident that would not occur. “By including this signal and investing in
See more photos on page 3
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See Montaño expansion, page A3
Veterans commission honors military wives John Poimiroo Special to the Democrat During Women’s History Month members of the El Dorado County Veterans Affairs Commission have been recognizing local women who served as members of the U.S. Armed Forces. “Also deserving of recognition are those women without whose steadfast support on the homefront history could not have been made … military wives,” said EDC District 5 Veterans Affairs Commissioner Daniel Browne Jr. when presenting military challenge coins to former U.S. Coast Guard wife, Diane Connolly. “In honor of all military wives
who were faithful to home and family at times when their husbands were not or could not be,” Browne continued. Upon receiving the honor, Connolly reminisced about standing on a dock while watching her husband’s ship sail over the horizon. “We military wives share the common experience of seeing our husbands depart for service, then to look at one another as we think, ‘What’s next?’” Connolly said. The exchange of challenge coins is a tradition among military units. The coins symbolize service and support, a job done well. Browne concluded, “You allowed history to be made by honoring your commitment to your family.”
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In honor of Women’s History Month and in recognition of the service and sacrifices of all military wives, Diane Connolly of Shingle Springs is presented challenge coins by El Dorado County Veterans Affairs Commissioner Daniel Browne Jr.
Photo by John Poimiroo
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