In October of 1964, Sunset magazine ran a story entitled, "How the American River was 'saved'." The story described the efforts of Sacramento-area citizens to "preserve the natural landscape and create recreation opportunities and open space in the midst of a rapidly expanding urban area."
Sacramento County supervisors should read that article. They certainly need to do so before Wednesday, when they are slated to vote on an exemption to county zoning that would allow the construction of more homes close to the beautiful bluffs of the American River Parkway.
Anyone who walks, rides or paddles down the parkway has seen the mansions that loom over the river on highly erodible slopes.
Many of these homes predate a county zoning ordinance that requires new homes to be 70 feet back from such bluffs. But over the years, supervisors have added to the blight by carving out exemptions.
They may do so again Wednesday, when they consider a permit that would allow developer Tim Lien to demolish an existing home in Carmichael and build two homes within 35 feet of the bluff. County supervisors approved the 35-foot setback in 2004 over the objections of the county's Department of Regional Parks.
That decision prompted a lawsuit by the Save the American River Association. A judge ruled that the county needed to complete an environmental impact report.
That report is now complete (with the county hiring an engineering firm previously employed by the developer to prepare the report). Some supervisors appear prepared to affirm their 2004 decision.
They should not. The river association argues persuasively that a 35-foot setback will not provide adequate space for vegetation to take root and properly screen the two houses from the parkway below.
Supervisors say they revere the parkway. If so, they need to stop carving out exemptions to the county's parkway corridor zoning. If you agree, call your supervisor today and urge him or her to vote against the exemption for the Lien property.
