hELP PROTECT RURAL MARTINEZ
bALANCED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
DeNova Homes is proposing another high-density development in our beloved city in addition to their current Pine Meadow Golf Course project. This "Heritage View" subdivision at the end of Midhill Road at properties 197 & 180 Midhill Road (cross street Morello Ave.) is located on the backside of the 5th generation Viano Vineyards. While our town desperately needs affordable housing so that our children can afford to live here, it needs to be thoughtfully architected to fit the rural ambiance of historic Martinez, protect the environment & area wildlife, and ensure that local infrastructure is expanded & contributed to by the Developer (i.e., local schools, utilities, safety services, roads/traffic, etc.).
THIS IS NOT ABOUT BLOCKING THIS DENOVA PROJECT, BUT RATHER, DEVELOPING A PLAN THAT HAS LESS IMPACT ON THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS & INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING SCHOOLS, ROADS/TRAFFIC, UTILITIES, SAFETY SERVICES, ETC. THROUGH COLLABORATION ON A SMARTLY-SIZED PROJECT FOR MARTINEZ'S DIMINISHING RURAL AREAS.
where this project is located
The proposed Heritage View subdivision is located where Midhill Road dead-ends, which is where Midhill Road transitions from the governance of the City of Martinez to Contra Costa County (the project is located in unincorporated County). Heading East on Midhill, just prior to going up the big hill to Midway Dr. & Milano Way, turn left on Midhill and it becomes a single lane bumpy country road (owned by the City of Martinez & the County) that dead-ends at this project.
what is being proposed
Currently 38 units are slated for 5.61 acres at 197 Midhill Road and 8 units at 180 Midhill Road (1.97 acres). The Final Development Plan shows 5.0 DU/net acre (Project's parcel acreage, including streets & common area, divided by total units), but the majority of the lots are .137 - .147 acres (i.e., 5-7 homes per acre). Full development details can be viewed here.
PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE
Martinez is such a uniquely beautiful area that is richly steeped in history beginning with the Karkines Indians, one of eight Ohlone peoples, indigenous peoples of California. And not to mention, John Muir, the "Father of our National Park System" and the co-founder of the Sierra Club made Martinez his home. The Midhill property currently boasts a small lake that is home to fish, fox, black-tailed deer, wild turkeys, coyote, skunks, raccoons, opossums, snakes, owls, native flora/fauna & even the occasional peacock. For example, DeNova indicates they will be removing 101 code-protected trees (out of 123 trees onsite) and approx. 36,300 cubic yards of cut and fill. Protecting what little is left of rural Martinez is a community priority.
how you can help
The County has determined that without mitigation the project may result in significant impacts to the environment. Your input is vital for ensuring this project fits with your vision for Martinez & the future of our community. A copy of the Mitigated Negative Declaration/Initial Study can be found here.
COUNTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR meeting notification via Zoom on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 1:30pm PDT. Opportunity for comments via Zoom, email or voicemail; read full letter here.
Zoning Administrator meetings can be accessed live either online or by telephone.
ACCESS THE MEETING LIVE ONLINE AT https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/86466748355
Meeting ID: 864 6674 8355
ACCESS THE MEETING BY TELEPHONE AT (888) 278-0254 FOLLOWED BY ACCESS CODE 198675##.
When accessing the meeting online by computer, you will be asked to either install a plug-in or to join by web browser. When accessing the meeting online by mobile device, you will be prompted to install an application. PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DURING PUBLIC COMMENT OR WITH RESPECT TO AN ITEM THAT IS ON THE AGENDA MAY DO SO EITHER ONLINE OR BY TELEPHONE. IF ACCESSING THE MEETING ONLINE, REQUEST TO SPEAK BY CLICKING THE “RAISE HAND” FUNCTION. IF ACCESSING THE MEETING BY TELEPHONE, REQUEST TO SPEAK BY DIALING #2.
PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY ALSO BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THE MEETING BY EMAIL AT planninghearing@dcd.cccounty.us OR BY VOICEMAIL AT (925) 655-2860 All commenters will be limited to three (3) minutes each. Comments submitted by email or voicemail will be included in the record of the meeting but will not be read or played aloud during the meeting. The Zoning Administrator may reduce the amount of time allotted per commenter at the beginning of each item or public comment period depending on the number of commenters and the business of the day. Your patience is appreciated.
If you wish to view the meeting only, but not participate, the meeting can be viewed at http://contra-costa.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=13.
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A copy of the Mitigated Negative Declaration/Initial Study can be found here. Contacts are below:
Contra Costa County Department of Conservation & Development
Attn: Jennifer Cruz, Principal Planner
County File Number: CDSD20-09545
30 Muir Road
Martinez, CA 94553 -or-
(925) 655-2867
DENOVA HOMES CONTACT:
Kathryn Watt
1500 Willow Pass Court
Concord, CA 94530
(925) 605.9304
project documents & library
ZONING ZOOM MEETING mON. nOV. 15, 2021 @ 1:30PM pdt
ZONING ZOOM MEETING mON. nOV. 15, 2021 @ 1:30PM pdt
ZONING ZOOM MEETING mON. nOV. 15, 2021 @ 1:30PM pdt
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR meeting notification via Zoom on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 1:30pm PDT. Opportunity for comments via Zoom, email or voicemail; read full letter here.
Initial Denova Letter May 2020
ZONING ZOOM MEETING mON. nOV. 15, 2021 @ 1:30PM pdt
ZONING ZOOM MEETING mON. nOV. 15, 2021 @ 1:30PM pdt
The initial DeNova Homes letter was sent to the neighboring properties in May 2020; read full letter here.
Preliminary Zoom meeting June 2020
county notice; public comment due 10/11/21
county notice; public comment due 10/11/21
DeNova Homes hosted a preliminary project overview via Zoom in the midst of the COVID pandemic. While the meeting was not recorded, the initial proposed project overview can be viewed here.
county notice; public comment due 10/11/21
county notice; public comment due 10/11/21
county notice; public comment due 10/11/21
YOUR CONCERNS & INPUT MATTERS! Contra Costa County Dept. of Conservation & Development has issued a "NOTICE OF PUBLIC REVIEW AND INTENT TO ADOPT A PROPOSED MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION" with the period for accepting comments on the adequacy of the environmental documents is due in writing by Monday, October 11, 2021 by 5:00pm. View County document here.