Bennett Valley Voice

Vol. 15, No. 5 BENNETT VALLEY VOICE Bennett Valley Homeowners Association October, 1992

Bennett Valley'S Sacred Heritage

Bennett Valley and Sonoma Mountain have a unique and sacred heritage. They were home to several tribes of Native Americans (Southern Pomo, Wappo, and Coastal Miwok). In our zeal to build and possess, we may have lost sight of our stewardship of the land. There was a thundering message delivered a century ago by one of the great Native American chiefs that still serves as inspiration to all those who feel the responsibility to care for and protect our natural environment.

It is the central belief of all Native Americans that this earth and every creature on it is sacred; they believed that to waste or destroy nature and its wonders is to destroy life itself. Their words were not understood by western man at that time. Now they haunt us, and before it is too late we must listen.

The following are brief excerpts from the eloquent speech delivered by Chief Seattle in the 1850s at a treaty negotiation with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. "This we know: The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth. The earth is our mother. What befalls the earth befalls all the sons and daughters of the earth.

This we know: All things are connected like the blood that unites us. We did not weave the web of life, We are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. We love this earth as a newborn loves its mother's heartbeat.

If we sell you our land, care for it as we have cared for it. Hold in your mind the memory of the land as it is when you received it. Preserve the land and the air and the rivers for you children's children and love it as we have loved it." from the book "Brother Eagle, Sister Sky" by Susan Jeffers.

Planning/Land Use Activity: Subdivision Proposals For Jacobs Ranch

From March to May, 1992, three proposals were submitted to the Sonoma County Planning Department to subdivide approximately 600 acrest of farmland lying between Jamison Road and Sonoma Mountain Road, formerly owned by Bill and Ruth Jacobs. The three proposals are: MNS92-166 Owner: David Phillips Acreage 164+ MNS92-153 Owners: Jim & Marlene Sullivan, Charles Olson, & Kareen Paulsen Acreage 160+ MJS92-271 Owner: Ron Wollmer Acreage 270+ All are in a land use zoning of 40 acre density and meet that requirement.

All are under contract to the Williamson Act (agricultural preserve) which allows landowners to obtain a significant tax break on land value when land is maintained in agricultural usage and a small gross income requirement is met. Lot size proposals are: Phillips - 4 lots of 40 to 42 acres each Sullivan, Olson, Paulsen - 4 lots of 40 acres each Wollmer - 5 lots ranging from 40 to 63 acres in size The BHA, while recognizing that the proposed lot sizes met the zoning density, had questions about the ability of the individual parcels to meet the Williamson Act requirements, the cumulative impacts of development of all three projects and a comprehensive analysis of such, the thoroughness and clarity of the mitigation measures (conditions) proposed to bring the recognized significant negative impacts of the project to an acceptable state, the completeness of appropriate technical input, and the lack of a well defined monitoring plan.

The County Project Review and Advisory Committee (PRAC) approved the mitigated negative declaration for the Phillips project in late August. However, because many of the concerns raised had not been addressed or rectified at the hearing, the BHA felt it necessary to appeal the PRAC decision. Since that time, the BHA Board has met with the Phillips family to work out amended wording of several mitigation measures which might address the unanswered concerns. The amendments were turned over to the County for their acceptance and integration into the PRAC findings. We are awaiting their official response.

The Olson/Sullivan/Paulsen project went before PRAC on 10-8-92 as did the Wollmer project. Both received approval. The Wollmer project must be heard by the Planning Commission since it is considered a major subdivision (5 or more lots). That hearing is scheduled for 10-15-92. N Woods de fired Bennett Ridge Wollmer Phillips Aa/sen

Bennett Valley Community Day

Held August 16, 1992 The Bennett Valley Volunteer Fireman's Association hosted it's third annual Bennett Valley Community Day. As in the past, the day was a great success. Your attendance and contributions to this event are greatly appreciated. The donations have allowed us to meet many of our goals in purchasing needed equipment that might not have occurred in these depressed budgetary times.

On behalf of the Volunteers, I would like to thank the Matanzas Creek Winery, the people and the businesses that helped put this event on, and most importantly, those of you who supported and sponsored our endeavor. BENNETT VALLEY FIRE RESCUE Michael Hagstrom President, Bennett Valley Volunteer Fireman's Association

Bennett Valley 4-H Club

The Bennett Valley 4-H Club started the new 4-H year in September. This is our 46th year. We are hoping to have a fun year, and some of the popular projects we have this year are rabbits, pygmy goats, cross-stitching, sewing, dogs and mini-gardens. We have many other projects and activities also.

The new members are excited about their first year of 4H. If you are a boy or girl, nine years of age or in the 4th grade and you would like to join the Club, call Kathy Dunnagan at 542-2736 Heather McLerran, age 10

Bha Board Of Directors

Kevin McCarthy Lois Brown Nancy Batson San Dakin President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Michael Bates Kate Ecker Bill Wright Tamara Boultbee Dave Steiner The Board meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7:30 at the B.V. Fire Station. We invite your attendance and participation. If you are interested in serving on the Board, or have other comments or suggestions, please call our hot-line at 528-9645 and leave a message.

Bennett Valley Fire Protection District

Fire prevention week 1992 is October 4-10. Most children in elementary school will receive some form of fire prevention and awareness education. Unfortunately most adults do not receive this valuable and possibly life saving information. I would like to take this opportunity to inform the residents of Bennett Valley that this years fire prevention theme is: "Test your Detector; it's sound advice". It is important for people of all ages to prepare for and practice fire prevention. Discuss and promote fire safety awareness with the whole family including children and the elderly.

Remember to check your smoke detectors and replace the batteries regularly. Prepare in advance. Fire won't wait ...plan your escape and be prepared. For additional information and handouts on these and other fire prevention related materials, contact the fire department at 578-7761, or stop by the Bennett Valley Fire Station, Mon.- Fri. between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M.

Greg L. Martin Fire Chief P. S.: Now is the time to inspect your chimneys and flues to avoid related fires. Inspections should be made annually and chimneys and flues cleaned accordingly.

Current Issues Update:

The 130 acres Golf Course and Subdivision: We have been told by our Supervisor Mike Cale that there is no activity on this project at the present. Be assured that we will be closely monitoring any moves by the developer. The Fable Annexation: On Sept. 3, 1992, the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted on SER 2-88, the reorganization plan presented by the City of Santa Rosa involving annexation of the Fable (and others) property.

The Commission considered two motions. The first motion (Cale) was to deny the reorganization, and it failed to get a majority vote. The second motion (Collins) was to approve the reorganization as presented by staff. It too failed to get a majority vote. As a result, the reorganization was denied. The major concern expressed was the lack of a comprehensive development plan. The denial does not preclude the applicant from returning at a future date with an altered proposal.

Road Safety and Improvements: After talking to Dave Robertson at the Dept. of Public Works here is an update on road improvements in Bennett Valley: during the next few weeks a guard rail will be installed in the Pisenti curve area. All other improvement projects in that location are on hold.

Beginning in about two weeks a project to add left-hand turn lanes at the intersection of Grange and Bennett Valley Road will begin. It is planned to be finished before Thanksgiving. Major traffic delays are not likely in the near future (we hope!). Replacing and widening of the Matanzas Creek bridge there is likely to follow soon, if the funding is approved.

BENNETT VALLEY VOICE BULK RATE

U.S. Postage Paid

Santa Rosa, Ca

Permit No. 945

Bennett Valley

Homeowners Assoc.

P. O. Box 2666 Santa Rosa, CA 95405 BHA Annual Meeting! Board election, Wednesday night, October 21, 1992, at 7:30 P.M. at the Bennett Valley Fire Station. All BHA members are invited to attend and to vote.