A group of Cathey’s Valley citizens, calling themselves Friends of Community Planning (FCP), on Friday plan to execute

mass mailing to affected area residents about the controversial Cathey’s Valley Community Plan (CVCP).

The three-page letter to community members is an attempt to address what members of the FPC believe are falsehoods and misrepresentations that have been spread by developers and real estate interests about the CVCP.

The correspondence begins by urging residents to attend the board of supervisors’ workshop on Saturday, April 14 at 10 a.m. in the government center. It states, “Dear People of Cathey’s Valley: Why did you move to Cathey’s Valley or if you have lived here all your life, why do you stay? Huge subdivisions, more houses on smaller parcels, and 400-acre shopping centers like Turlock, Merced and Sonora? Well, a small, but vocal group of developers, along with their attorneys and some real estate agents are telling the board of supervisors you want what they want. Unfortunately, these individuals (most do not live here) are campaigning hard against the Cathey’s Valley Community Plan ….a plan on which the community has worked diligently together for over a decade. The developers and their agents have distributed misleading letters that include false information and have repeatedly told the board that they speak for the people of Cathey’s Valley.

The letter claims, “These developers and their attorneys have cost you, the taxpayers, over $150,000 since July, 2009. How? By demanding your county planners complete three frivolous and unnecessary environmental reviews.”

That is an accurate statement although the exact amount is an approximation. Attorneys for developer Steve Fortner, who has vehemently condemned the CVCP, did in fact threaten litigation against the County if greenhouse gases, traffic at a 25-acre commercial site, and redirecting 400 acres of commercial and high density development impacts were not addressed in the plan.

The piece clearly delineates the differences in allowed property sizes, set backs, commercial development, right to farm, and protection for limited ground water resources under the CVCP as compared to a town planning area (TPA), which is sought by the developers and real estate interests.

The , it states, “You don’t have to take our word for it; reference the MARIPOSA GAZETTE’S recent articles on the CVCP. Reference the public record to see that these people clearly state that they speak for you. We think you care about the quality of life, the history of Cathey’s Valley and our future well-being.”

Deputy Planning Director Sarah Williams confirmed Tuesday afternoon that as a TPA, one acre lots could be approved with a water system and multi-family housing could be permitted. With a water and sewer system, 9,000 square foot lots could be permitted, and any combination of urbanizing commercial and/or industrial could be permitted with amendments to the general plan.

Anyone wishing to make a statement for the record can contact Margie Williams, Clerk of the Board, at mwilliams@mariposacounty. org, or send a letter to Margie Williams, Clerk of the Board, P.O. Box 784, Mariposa, CA 95338, and send a copy to Planning Director Kris Schenk at kschenk@mariposacounty.org or Deputy Planning Director Sarah Williams at swilliams@mariposacounty. org.

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