Amador County – Developer Bob Reeder of Reeder Sutherland talked about his projects and efforts to diminish impacts on agricultural land last week as Amador County Local Agency Formation Commission discussed his land, subject to a Sphere of Influence Amendment application for the city of Plymouth.

The sphere was amended to include Reeder’s Zinfandel and Shenandoah Ridge residential development projects, and Reeder answered Commissioners’ questions on his agreements, still pending with three landowners.

Jennifer Mason said her parents’ property is 198 acres, and they were worried about traffic ingress and egress on Old Sacramento Road, due to the development. She also worried that a 15-year estimated build-out to 250 homes – about half the project – could cause fire risk to the Mason property if Reeder’s land was not managed in that time.

A representative for the Mason family asked that the decision be delayed until an agreement was reached. The Commission declined. Reeder said the Masons were worried about a right they own to access a spring via Reeder’s property, which was granted by the former property owner. Reeder said the Masons were worried that when a road is built, it might affect the flow of water into the spring, because the road would cross its underground source. He said when the road is built, soils will be tested. He also noted that the “grant deed recorded in 1969” had a provision that if the natural springs are affected by the property owner, then the owner will have to mitigate the impacts by constructing a well for the Masons, for agricultural purposes.

Reeder said he wants to work with the Masons, and “I don’t believe it’s fair to hold up this process.” He had tried to get with them, and first contacted them a year ago.

Amador Water Agency estimated that a water and sewer Community Facilities District will take about six months to put in place, said LAFCO Executive Officer Roseanne Chamberlain, and a fire and police CFD will also be established.

Reeder said regarding his intentions on the project, we are still hopeful that we can start construction in 2013. To do that, they need complete engineering for master plans, improvement plans and a Caltrans permit, all by 2012.

Financially, he said Reeder Sutherland was in a good position. He said: “We have no debt, zero debt on our property in Plymouth,” and “a lot of people in this business went out of business.” He said they did not take out any loans on the properties, and “we’re in a position to wait out this bad economy.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.