For more than a decade, CSERC worked to turn back a huge development project that targeted the heart of the winter deer range east of Groveland. First named “Tuolumne Oaks” and then called “Long Gulch” by a new set of developers, the 1,158-acre project was poised just a year ago to gain final approval from the local Groveland area water/sewer district.

  The project would have created over 300 homes, an 18-hole golf course, and various other associated facilities.  As the gigantic oak at right shows, the site contains high value for wildlife, including large, acorn-producing oaks.  Migratory deer depend upon the acorns and the site’s brush fields for food and shelter during the winter season.  Many other species also utilize the diverse habitat on the site.

  Responding to the threat of so many homes and so much disturbance on this ecologically rich property, CSERC staff testified multiple times against approval -- educating the utility district directors why the proposed project differed markedly from the project originally approved by county supervisors.  Concerned about possible litigation from CSERC and others, the service district held back final approval while assessing the project’s legal status.  New questions were raised, leading to further delays.  Finally, according to local newspaper coverage, the delays combined with financial challenges caused the project to be halted.

  Even as that good news was celebrated, CSERC received notices from the county that applications had been filed by the same developers for brand new development proposals on the Long Gulch site and the “Groveland scar” site over on Highway 120.  At the “scar” property (where a previous bankrupt development left the landscape graded, barren, and eroding) a new development proposal called “Yosemite Knolls” would create a 66-unit mobile home park and 105 units of manufactured homes on 53 acres south of the highway.  (CSERC notes that without public water and sewer, such a proposal seems highly dubious.)

  Back on the Long Gulch property, the applicant’s new proposal could allow a staggering 2,400 manufactured homes.  The applicant also put forward a separate development plan for the northern part of the property to create an upscale airport-serving residential development of 43 three-acre lots and 10 five-acre lots.  In total, if the new projects gain approval, this beautiful site would be carved up into 53 lots north of Ferretti Road and up to 2,400 manufactured housing units south of the road.  There would also be an incredible amount of water consumption, habitat alteration, increased traffic, and air quality impacts.

  CSERC plans to continue to work with the Groveland community, County planning staff, and other interests to press for long-term protection for this ecologically rich property.  Not only the winter deer herd, but various owls and amphibians also clearly need special protection from development on this site.

  As the new proposals begin their passage through the County’s approval process, CSERC staff is grateful that at least for the moment, one massive project has been successfully turned back.  Due in part to 14 years of CSERC’s involvement in planning debates over this property, there is hope that any new project will have greater sensitivity to wildlife and water resources.