Still more development proposed for Patterson Ranch

In April, Richard Frisbie presented his updated development plan for Patterson Ranch to the Fremont City Council. While his presentation lacks specifics, it appears similar to his previous proposals, with only minor changes. Protection of these lands has been a top Chapter priority for several years.

The project is simply too large not to have serious impacts on adjacent areas, including one of Fremont's greatest natural gifts, Coyote Hills Regional Park. The General Plan zones Patterson for light development at 0.25 to 1.0 units to the acre. Frisbie's request for 800 dwelling units on the 260 developable acres would be a more than threefold increase in the current zoning, not counting the churches, schools, retail area, and sports park Frisbie asks for. Why would Fremont consider such a radical increase in land use adjacent to one of our most precious resources?

One of the plans shows buffer zones around the park, but these would not prevent noise from sports events from permeating the entire flat section of the park, including almost the entire marshlands. Not only would this destroy the park's serenity, but it would disturb the marsh's migratory birds and other wildlife. A sports park can go elsewhere.

City leaders have complained of difficulties in providing police and fire services. Locating new development on the city's edge would intensify the problem.

WhatYouCanDo

To help stop development in this sensitive area, contact or call (510) 848-0800, ext. 306

Vin Bacon, member, Southern Alameda County Group Executive Committee