Windemere and Paso Robles Updates

We recently forwarded you the notices summarized below about concerns with the Windemere and Paso Robles developments. (Please note that Paso Robles encompasses a portion of Willow Springs Creek, not Purgatory Creek as stated in our email.)

The Windemere variance request at the 7/27 Planning & Zoning Commission agenda was postponed until August 24th at the request of the applicants. At the same meeting, Carma made a presentation about Paso Robles. No action was taken, but they will likely return to the P&Z on August 10th. Among recommendations from commissioners were that Paso Robles offer more dedicated parkland, particularly usable land around Cottonwood & Willow Springs Creeks, that they not use reclaimed water for watering over the recharge zone, and that they try to get some kind of recommendation from the Parks Board before returning to the P&Z.

Thanks for the thorough report on the 7/27 P&Z meeting by San Marcos Local News: http://www.newstreamz.com/2010/07/30/paso-robles-developer-seeks-city-tax-incentive/

Windemere Development above Spring Lake Preserve

• The Windemere developers asked for a variance to allow them to have one entrance road instead of two so they can build 200 homes instead of 75 above Spring Lake and the Preserve. 
• The entrance road off of Lime Kiln would be on a 47′-wide piece that the developers own, in the Sink Creek floodplain, at the edge of the Spring Lake preserve. 
• The city staff has recommended denying this request due to the danger of flooding and wildfires that would leave people trapped with only one entrance road to Lime Kiln.

Paso Robles Development at the Headwaters of Willow Springs and Cottonwood Creeks

• The same meeting Tuesday night had a public hearing on the 1,338-acre golf course development at McCarty and Hunter Rd, which will have up to 3,450 dwelling units. 
• The proposed parkland dedication did not meeting the approval of the Parks Board in part because the developers are requesting to use sidewalks along major roads and floodway and flood plains to meet the parkland dedication requirement of 46.5 acres. 
• The developer is proposing to water a golf course using treated wastewater, creating concern that pesticides and other pollution will travel into the aquifer, down creeks that feed into the San Marcos River, and into nearby wells, including two at the Refugium for endangered species at the National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center on McCarty Lane. (Water wells do not have pre-treatment facilities.)
• Another concern is that TCEQ found geological features not included in the assessment submitted by the developers.