THERE WILL BE NO MEETING THIS MONTH (February)

We hope this newsletter will be an acceptable substitute. It's Valentine's Day anyway -- we should all be out for a romantic evening!

OLD KMART PLAZA

Instead, please come meet with the owner and developer at the Old Kmart site on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.

You probably received your own notice, but the owner and the developer of that site are asking for public input (that's us) for an additional permit to add a truck rental operation to their project.

Everyone we've spoken to vehemently opposed the self-storage project itself. One of the reasons we have problems with undesirable businesses moving into Old Foothill Farms is the perception of this area as a warehouse district. With three other storage facilities within a half-mile, as well as another truck rental yard, most merchants don't see this as a prime retail area and won't move in or stay. We tried to persuade the owner not to go forward with the storage concert, but to develop a retail space with possibly a new, shiny grocery store and some higher-end businesses. They declined to consider any other alternatives.

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Our understanding is that the owner and developer already applied to the county for this additional use permit, and they were denied. In addition to a rental truck business, they were also planning to provide storage for campers, trailers and big rigs. Apparently, they're going to make another attempt, and by receiving no negative input from the neighborhood, they may be able to convinced the County to grant this permit after all.

JANUARY MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

If you weren't at January's meeting, you missed meeting several of the owners of units at Keoncrest, the fourplexes across Garfield. It was great news to find that the owners are aware of the problems that emanate from those apartments, and are anxious to find ways to correct the problems. The County's Neighborhood Services Agency, especially Mark Manoff's office, will be puting together a multi-agency action group, including the Sheriff's Department, Sac Housing and Redevelopment, Social Services, and any other agency that can assist.


We also finally discovered the reason that all the backstops and other equipment had disappeared at Pioneer Park: Sunrise Parks and Recreation is planning to re-grande and re-seed the field to eliminate swampy spots. Afterwards, all new and upgraded equipment and bleachers will be installed.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

We are still desperately seeking someone or several someones, to apply for the open seat on the Carmichael/Old Foothill Farms Community Planning Council. We really, really want that seat filled by someone from the neighborhood and someone who is concerned about the future direction of development in the area. PLEASE email or call Lisbeth at 331-1901 if you have an interest. We have materials available for you to review to see if you think this is a job you want to take on.

At past meetings, several of your completed forms asking for help with specific issues. With one exception, those requests could be placed in one of three categories, which were code enforcement, crime prevention, or traffic management.

We have a new ally in the Code Enforcement struggle: Hilary Gould, who has been to all our recent meetings, is now associated with the County and has been investigating and following up code enforcement comlaints. Hilary will be speaking at our March meeting, letting us know which cases are now pending with County Code Enforcement, and what actions have already been taken in some cases. He will give us tips for reporting and contacting him for assistance.

Kirsten Wlynia is still attempting to organize blocks for Neighborhood Watch groups and proide training. If you have concerns about crime, contact her at 834-2076 and get involved. The other comments were forwarded to our POP officer, but our particular Patrol area is short-staffed right now (one active POP officer instead of four) so there probably has not been a lot of follow up.

We are trying to get our local California Highway Patrol POP officer to come to the March meeting so we can talk face-to-face about the speeders tearing through our neighborhood and ask for help. Look for that on our March flyer.

The one form that did not fall into one of the three categories was a request for information about the installation of water meters: how soon, what is the cost, who will fix the damage to our already compromised streets and sidewalks, and what our new rates are likely to be.

We have contacted Cal-American Water, our water supplier, and asked for a speaker. So far we don't have a definite commitment, but we are hoping to have that presentation for the March meeting also. If you are receiving bills from any other water company, please call Lisbeth at 331-1901 and give her the information, so we can follow up with them also.

APRIL MEETING

Finally, the big news: OUR APRIL SPEAKER WILL BE OUR SHERIFF, JOHN McGINNISS. While I know we all have a lot to ask -- and to say -- let's use the next 60 days to come up with a program that won't turn into chaos, and a system for making comments. At the March meeting, we will take any and all questions or comments you have in writing, and we will forward them to Sheriff McGinniss so he can research them before he arrives. Our thanks, as always, to Mark Manoff for arranging to have the Sheriff at our meeting.

Upcoming Meetings

All meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and are held at Pioneer School's Multi-purpose room. Mark these dates on your calendar. Wednesday, March 14, Wednesday, April 11.

If you have any questions or comments please call Lisbeth at 331-1901.

Welcome to the Old Foothill Farms Community Task Force

Serving our community for the betterment families and the best of businesses.