Cedar Ridge Ranch, Sonora CA

My thanks to Jay Bunten for maintaining this website to have the ability to interact on subjects such as the Cedar Ridge Apple Ranch Project. Without the website the communication would not be possible. Also, for weather updates, local news forecasts etc.

Betty

What do you suppose they need a parking lot that will hold 150 cars? For the restaurant that holds 10-15 customers? I would be curious about this aspect. Seems inconsistent. This project does not seem as small scale as you are describing. I also believe the Abbots new owners bought Bob Summers (sp?) apple orchards in Apple Valley Ranches so I don't know how "small" the company is that is trying to make a tourist business out of the apple business in cedar ridge. I am curious how this apple business can improve property values without the infrastructure that we are already lacking.

Just a quick correction to the number of stalls in the proposed parking lot. According to the CUP the parking lot will only be 105 stalls.

Taking Tina's lead I Googled the "Cedar Ridge Apple Ranch" here are a couple of links that popped up.

http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/datastore/detai ... number=260

http://www.justdoonethinggreen.com/link ... hp?id=1049



I wasn't able to find any link between this ranch and Apple Valley property.

Thanks for the correction Jay on the 150 which is actually 105 but my position still stands. Why do they need 105 parking stalls for a small restaurant which holds 15 customers? It sounds like they expect more traffic than that so again will be curious to find out the entire scope. You stated in your first email the scale at which they hope the business to be so we need to look at this project on this scale.

I was told that they will also develop the land with trails for walking.

Regarding some of the more recent comments, OK they plan to plant more trees and will go organic but have cut native trees down to do so and as far as developing walking trails, we already have that.

The proposed dining area is indoor/outdoor and I suspect will have more than 10 - 15 seats, especially with 105 stall parking lot. There is no agreement to improve roads and a traffic study is a must not a possiblity. Also, the issue I raised initially for extra law enforcement from too many tastings of hard cider and brandy. Highway 12 in Napa speaks for itself for the head-on crashes from too many sips of wine on a hot summer's day.

Having said that and all the other negatives at this point, I can't imagine an increase in property values?
When speaking with Renee Hendry, the proposals all continue to be viewed as agricultural and, once again, it's all commercial except for the growing of apples.

Betty

I was told that the wood from the native trees cut down will be used for the structure and mulch. Where are the walking trails in Cedar Ridge? Anytime I’ve tried to walk in my neighborhood I was chased by loose dogs. That’s a really problem in Cedar Ridge.

I was told that the restaurant will have no more than 10-15 seating, that's what the conditional use permit is for. I understand there is no agreement for improving roads and that’s where we can negotiate as well as ask for a traffic study. Renee even agreed that it’s open for discussion. Did you receive a response regarding law enforcement? I understand there is a highway patrol officer that lives in the Cedar Ridge area and he is very much a watch dog for the area.

The problem with Highway 12 is not necessarily related to alcohol. It’s overused in a heavily populated area and there are many dips in the road, so people going too fast can’t see oncoming traffic. When I searched it on the internet, none of the recent accidents were alcohol related. Most of the accidents occur between Hwy 80 in Solano County and Hwy 5 in San Joaquin County. There is only a small part of hwy 12 in the Napa county area.

My sister sells real estate and she seems to think that improvements in the area can increase property values

Regarding the response to my earlier comments:
The native trees would have to cure for sometime to be used in building a structure I would think but I'm not a contractor.

Not sure where you live but I haven't run in to loose dogs for some years thank goodness. I was referring to the ditch path for walking.

If the permit calls for 10-15 seats for eating I guess there won't be much food service so that's good.

I'm not sure we have much bargaining room for road improvement since the county has many roads to repair and the roads around the Lowe's project will get most of the money.

My sister lived in Sonoma County for many years and has a whole different perspective of Highway 12 and the wine tasting but that's not our problem. I'm only concerned with this location and the tasting room here. Shouldn't have referred to Hwy 12 I guess since I'm obviously influenced by my sister's experiences.

I appreciate that a CHP officer lives in our neighborhood but doubt he can be a one-man law enforcement agency, plus he's usually off duty when home. A deputy sheriff lived up here some time ago but guess he moved out of the area.

I have found that real estate people tend to create reasons that will help sell property since that's their business. I have some really nice friends in the business too.

I don’t know about the wood needing to be cured, but that’s what Renee told me they were doing with the trees.

I believe Renee also told me that there will be picnic areas.

If the owner’s agree to pay for the road improvements it may be a little easier for negotiations. That's what I meant by trying to make this a win-win situation.

I don’t think the type of road is an issue, it’s people. I’ve seen people drink all day at the lake and drive off. One person in particular was noticeable drunk before driving off in his vehicle.

Did you get any response regarding law enforcement? I called the CHP today and was told that depending on the availability a patrol car is suppose to check the area frequently. The woman also told me that if drunk driving due to the tasting room becomes an issue, we can call a number to request more patrols in the area. She also confirmed that even though an officer is off-duty they do have peace officer capabilities out of uniform.

I know how realtors can be, but improvements do help an area seem more attractive, thus increasing property values.

The bottom line is that change is inevitable and you need to make the best of the situation and try to negotiate. 18 years ago I lived in an area where developers wanted to build homes on a mountain that was the habitat for a species of butterfly that does not live anywhere else in the world. There is also a sacred Native American shell mound. After much debating it became evident that we could not stop the development, however we were able to negotiate saving the shell mound and the amount of structures were cut back to ensure the butterflies are protected.

I appreciate receiving all the interaction we've had so far and at this point I plan to wait until I find some initial reaction from the Community Development Dept for their considerations.

If others plan to give their opinions or express concerns of various portions of the project I would suggest you voice those concerns directly with Renee Hendry at 533-5633, as I mentioned in a previous comment. I also encourage all who visit this forum to contact Renee to have your name added to the list of those wanting to receive notification of the public meeting.

Thanks,

Betty

We received a letter from the community Development Department. We are currently building our house on Broken Pine. As far as I know the Cedar Ridge Apple Ranch has been closed for two years. From the road many of the apple trees look like they are in bad shape and not able to produce much of a apple crop. The development of the property as a apple ranch seems to be a stretch.
I agree with the person who wondered why they needed 105 stall parking lot. I think the main focus will be catered parties and the like. I have decided to oppose the development until we can get some restriction on usage and noise levels. The last thing we want is loud music and parties into the night.

I checked out google search links provided by Jay and then did my own google search of the names listed by the UC Davis farms of Tuolumne County page. The only name that links to anything in Tuolumne County is Sasha Fracas. Here's a couple of links that poped up.

http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story ... y_no=22290

http://www.foothillfarmlandsartsfestiva ... elease.pdf

This may explain the live music question ? Not sure but it may apply to this situation in the future ?

I my option we do not need more traffic on Kewin Mill Road ! We also need to keep our area quiet and peaceful isn't that why we either live here or visit Cedar Ridge.

I would like to see a small low key Apple Ranch with a few more services. I'm not apposed to someone making a successful business of the Apple Ranch but not at the expense of the traffic, noise, or loss of the mountain experience we all enjoy.


Ed R.

Long time no hear Ed Renteria!!! Way to do your homework! It is January 30th today...all who want to call should make that call to Renee Hendrey 533-5633 and have your friends call too...I am wondering if Jay was able to get the info out to anyone with the database...or if anyone has at least talked to the ladies auxiliary yet?? I know the snow is hampering efforts to spread any of this information around the neighborhood? Please update...thanks, tina

Just a reminder that only two days remain for response to the Community Development Dept before evaulation of the project begins. Once again, contact Renee Hendry at 533-5633 for your comments and to request your name and address be added for notification of the public hearing. Otherwise you will not receive a notification unless you live within 1000 ft of the proposed project.

Written concerns would be best but will probably have to be hand delivered at this late date. Also, you can fax Supervisor Maffei or all the supervisors at 533-6549. Not sure if Renee Hendry has a separate fax number but you can ask her when calling.

I feel it's very important to voice opinions whether they be for or against this project. Also, I went to the links for the Union Democrat and the Foothill Farmlands Arts Festival. Thanks to the person who did that research.

Betty