HomeMy WebLinkAboutBetty Egbert Handout 1I have previously submitted a similar letter to the Design Review Board, but now that this process has moved on to you all at the
Planning Commission, I wanted you to understand my position.
My name is Betty Egbert.
I own the home at 447 EI Rio Road...... Immediately adjacent to and above the 425 EI Pintado project.
I am 92 years old.
I was 18 years old when my husband and I built my home in 1950 on this property. It was part of a larger piece of land belonging to my
husband's parents. Ultimately, my in-laws lost their home thru eminent domain when Hwy 680 was constructed thru their property.
Now, THIS project that is proposed, is being built on THEIR property that was taken away from them.
I have lived here for 74 years.
I know you all think that this is a good place for this project. It's next to 680 and more noise and congestion will be more easily
concealed. However, for myself and my immediate neighbors who live here, you are "taking" our property values, our views and our
privacy. Currently, I have views of the surrounding hills and Las Trompas Ridge ... and sometimes on a clear day ...even the Livermore
Mountains. If this project is constructed, at its proposed height of four (really five) stories, I will lose all of that. I will have a
monster building looming over me with windows from multiple units and stories looking directly into my home. I will need to live with
my blinds closed for any privacy.....ond even if I open the blinds, the building will block the sunshine from my windows. At nighttime,
the lights from the multiple stories and units reflecting into my home will be blinding.
This is the current view from my windows and front yard (I have no backyard). This view will be replaced with a building towering 30' -
40' ABOVE my main (and only) floor.
In reviewing the Architectural Drawings 09/10/24, I find it interesting that on the Project Profile (page 2), it states
"three main stories that step up and down are nestled into the hillside"....."step up"??...that s a nice play on words...... instead
it's actually four stories (five if you count the basement floor that hovers above "average grade"). Take a look at the
picture on the Project Profile and you can count FIVE stories in one view.
"Three main stories"?? from the beginning, this project has attempted to downplay (lie) about the size and impact to the
surrounding homes. When this project first came to my attention the Project Description stated that the uphill neighbors (me) main
floor would be one story HIGHER than the project. That didn't make any sense, and so I had to reach out to the engineering firm to
have them confirm my suspicions.... that the building will, in fact, loom 30 to 40 feet ABOVE my main floor, depending on where
"average grade" is established.
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You will also note on Views of 447 EI Rio Road (my property) extensive trees are shown screening the project. Sadly, all EXISTING
trees between my property and the project are being removed. See the picture below of the existing redwoods that are to be
removed that currently screen the existing building at 425 EI Pintado and the highway. Also, refer to the "Existing Tree
Plan" showing all the additional trees to be removed. Any new trees to be planted would take many, many years to reach a height
and width to even begin to effectively screen the project.
I understand you are mandated by the State to add additional housing to the Town and to make construction of these
"housing" projects easier. "The 2030 General Plan carries forward the long-term vision of reinforcing the Towns unique small town
character, preserving its history and scenic beauty, and protecting the community's outstanding quality of life." There is nothing
small town about this project. Rather than constructing a four (five) story monster that is in direct opposition of the Town's vision,
why not sprinkle tasteful, low profile, projects throughout the community that don't sacrifice the Town's vision. I'm appealing to
your sense of fairness, asking you to consider if this was you ..... how would you feel? Please do not allow any height variance or waiver.
If this project must go forward, please maintain the Town's height restriction of 37 feet or three building stories.
I invite any of you to come join me on my front porch and put this project into real perspective rather than trying to understand my
concerns from apiece of paper.
Respectfully,
Betty Egbert
447 EI Rio Road
Danville