SPEAK OUT ON COMMUNITY ISSUES
an opportunity to express your concerns and opinions on community issues

If you would like to comment on any Granite Bay community issue, you may send your comments to us by email to granitebay@surewest.net.  Comments may be any length.  However, submissions over about 200 words may be summarized below and we may limit excessive repetitive opinions and duplication. 

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We reserve the right to reject comments for lack of civility or inappropriate content.  

and we may do minor editing that doesn't affect the intent.  

The opinions expressed here are not necessarily the opinion of the GBCA, the web site or its sponsors.

 

Your comments may be posted here much like a letter to the editor of a newspaper. 

 

9/26/07  Dial-A-Ride Service in Granite Bay

With the increasing cost of gas and pollution problems brought about by fuel emissions, I [am a] believer that there is an urgent need to provide Granite Bay residents with an alternative mode of transportation in commuting to/from our place of work. At present, there is a Dial-A-Ride Service in Granite Bay but it runs on a very limited schedule from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Monday-Friday).  Unfortunately, the 2006-2007 Unmet Transit Needs Report of the PCPTA (Placer County Transportation Planning Agency) dated March 7, 2007 showed that the expansion of the bus service to Granite Bay is “an unmet transit need that is not reasonable to meet” due to low  ridership.  I have inquired from PCPTA and I was told that if it can be shown that there will be at least 12 passengers per day, they might consider operating the Dial-A-Ride service earlier in the morning and later in the evening so commuters will be able to avail of its services. With the new schedule, commuters from Granite Bay will be able to catch the Roseville Transit available in the transfer points within Roseville that could take them to their final destination.  If you agree with me that the operating schedule of the Dial-A-Ride service should be changed to accommodate commuters from Granite Bay, please send your e-mail to Mr. David Melko at dmelko@pcpta.org. .......ER Granite Bay

 

9/1/07  Stanton Estates

I was wondering if there is anything that the county could do to improve the appearance of the stretch of land fronting the Stanton Estates development.  The closest intersection is Christy Lane and Douglas.  Many years ago (1980 ish) Roger Hatch, functioning as Designer Homes, deeded this area back to the county.  The rusting metal fences, dead vegetation and general lack of maintenance are a real eye sore at one of the primary intersections in Granite Bay.  Several years ago the county improved the appearance along Douglas with the addition of sound walls and landscape.  For whatever reason this section was overlooked.  Do you think there is any chance that this area might receive some attention?.......VR Granite Bay

 

6/4/07  Opposition to Verizon Wireless's Horseshoe Substation

We are NOT scientists, just concerned residents.  There are still critical questions concerning the health effects and safety of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF).  There is still an ongoing controversy over many aspects of RF health effects. While the experts don’t disagree that serious health hazards occur when living cells in the body are heated, as happens with high intensity RF exposure (just like in a microwave oven), scientists are currently still investigating the health hazards of low intensity exposure. Low intensity exposure is exposure which does not raise the temperature of the living cells in the body.  A quick search of the Internet reveals a long list of disturbing scientific information that points to the existence of nonthermal effects of microwave radiation.  At this time, it appears that the experts simply don't know the potential health consequences of long term, low level exposure to RF - the type used by the proposed Verizon Wireless antenna.  No one knows—the data just isn't there.  The only reasonable and responsible course is to “play it safe” until there is definitive scientific information that RF is safe.  .......GG & PG Granite Bay

 

1/4/07  Concern about Safety on Eureka Rd.

I have a child at Eureka School and like many other parents I have to use Eureka Rd to get to the school. Whenever there is construction on that road and they have one way traffic controls, it creates such a nightmare at drop off and pick up times. Is there anyway that construction around the school can start at after 9 am and stop at 3 pm? It not like it happens all the time, but today PG&E crews were out there doing work and last year when a new home was being built and trucks blocked the road on many occasions right at the busy times. Maybe some restrictions could be put in place for one way 
road controls on Eureka......MH Granite Bay

 

9/27/06  New Traffic Light Timing Questioned

In late August, a new traffic light was installed at Auburn-Folsom Road. and Fuller Drive. I am not disputing the need for a signal at this location. However, I am questioning what is being done to set this light and the light at Auburn-Folsom and Eureka Road to allow a more fluid traffic flow. It appears that the new light at Fuller Drive is overly traffic sensitive versus timed. For those that travel this route daily, the commute through this short stretch has become horrible, both morning and evening. I would appreciate understanding what actions are being taken to alleviate this bottleneck. It does seem that changing the timings on these two signals would be a simple change with large benefits. .....HS Granite Bay

 

8/15/06  Trading Density Units Reeks of Hypocrisy

It is noted in the minutes of the July MAC meeting that the MAC supported a proposal to transfer residential density units from the south side of Douglas Blvd to Roseville Pkwy & Barton. If the majority of residents want to keep the south side of Douglas Blvd. as open space shouldn't we buy the land through an assessment and stop playing these shell games of "density transfers".  It reeks of the few deciding the wishes of the many.  If the residents don't want to buy the land, let the owners use the land as it is zoned instead of using nearly 20 year old, outdated decisions based on demographics that are no longer the same to stop them from doing what any other property owner would expect as their rights as an American. .....RF Granite Bay

 

7/3/06  "Stupid Prices" unacceptable name

I am appalled that a store named, “Stupid Prices” will be coming to Granite Bay! Not only do we not need another discount retailer in the area (we’ve got Home Goods right across the street and TJ Maxx down the road) but the name alone is just awful!  I have young children and the word “stupid” is not tolerated in our household! How did this store get the approval to move in here? .....SA Granite Bay

 

5/22/06  Two Items of Concern:
1) The name of a new store going into the old Ralphs store: Stupid Prices. I looked it up and I understand the name means the prices are so low it is stupid to spend any more, but the word Stupid is not a very nice word. I am all for discount pricing, but the name is rather inappropriate. Can you please try to get stores in there with names that will increase the value of the area, not demean it? A Trader Joes would be perfect there.
2) The current quote in front of the Fire Stations is: 'If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun'  Who would give the go ahead for that quote to be placed in front of a Community Service Agency whose purpose is to help people stay safe and healthy?  Each time I pass that quote I am floored and cannot understand what message you are trying to send to the people (children, especially) of this community! Please make sure any future quotes send out a positive and safe message...think of our children!!  .....RB Granite Bay 

 

5/1/06   Burned out House on Auburn Folsom Rd. a Hazard

If you live in the area - you cannot miss it. You can view the partly burned down structure from both Joe Rodgers Ct as well as Auburn Folsom. So - I would say that a structure which has been gutted by fire and in danger of the roof caving in would be a danger to neighborhood children and pets.  The county told one of our neighbors that it was determined that they had set the fire themselves. I find it interesting that they are able to split the property now - actually I hope they do, and that they sell it and someone builds two new homes on the property.  Not only is the existing structure dangerous, it is an eyesore. And now the traffic noise from Auburn Folsom (which needs speed control at Joe Rodgers) has increased tremendously.  .....SS Granite Bay  

 

12/16/05  Several Car Break-ins in the East Roseville/Granite Bay area

Wednesday night there were several car break-ins in the East Roseville/Granite Bay area in which windows were smashed and they took whatever they could within a few minutes. Is there any way to publicize this so that residents are aware? Its my understanding that even if you are in a "gated" community, that this can happen. Can you please publish the statistics and crimes that are going on in our community on this website so we can look out more for each other? Thank you and Merry Christmas! Have any of these criminals been caught?     .....NM Granite Bay

 

12/1/05  Concern about traffic around Granite Bay High School

I am wondering if there are any plans to improve the traffic that GBHS creates during the work week between 7:15-7:45am. It can take up to 15 minutes just to turn left onto E.Roseville (from Treelake) and then another 5-10 minutes waiting to get through E.Roseville towards Sierra College. It can be very frustrating for work commuters who need to drive to work during that same timeframe.     .....SF Granite Bay


11/29/05  2500 square foot event center approved

You can forget your quiet and privacy now. A 2500 square foot event center located across from Los Lagos was just approved on November 17, 2005 by the Placer County Zoning Administrator.  What next a strip mall and beer and bait in this residential neighborhood?  Imagine 300 cars on this small narrow residential street.....
by the Citizens to Protect Granite Bay  .....
GF Granite Bay

11/16/05  50-60 homes east of Longs is wrong for the community 

I read the news from the last MAC meeting and I can't believe there was no opposition to the proposed residential units east of Longs.  50-60 homes on two current commercial lots is just a tremendous increase in density and drastic change in zoning. When you have that dense of a residential area it completely changes the character of the area. Longs has not had a negative impact on traffic or density, 50-60 homes right behind Longs is a different story! The homes just to the east of this location on the north side of Douglas are still on acreage.  This changes Granite Bay into something you would see in Rancho Cordova. There's nothing like
this anywhere else on Douglas till you get into Roseville. I don't understand why the people of Granite Bay would want this, it will increase crime as well as congestion, not to mention noise.     
MS Granite Bay

 

9/15/05  Do we really need a 30 bed care facility in the middle of our residential neighborhood? 

I am a long time resident of Granite Bay, and have watched the development of a very nice community. I am not one to complain, but at this time I feel I must make myself heard. I live on Arabian Circle, a housing area which has had to put up with the traffic of Granite Bay Vet Clinic. When Dan filed his plan, it was for a Home on two and a half acres with a small animal clinic in back.  Now, we have another party, I don't know his name, cutting down trees and preparing to build a 30 bed care facility right next to the Vet Clinic on Douglas Blvd. We residents of Arabian Circle were to understand that it would be his home, and not a care facility. The building of Stratford Downs across from Arabian Circle, and the widening of Douglas Blvd., has made it almost impossible to get out of Arabian Circle at certain times of day, and even worse on holidays. Do you really think Douglas blvd. can handle the additional traffic from a care facility? Do we really need a 30 bed care facility in the middle of our residential neighborhood?     JB Granite Bay

 

5/21/05  Landscaping at Granite Bay Village Shopping Center?

It seems to be taking the owners of that portion of the shopping center a very long time to make renovations and landscape the area.  Isn't there something the county can do to get the owners to finish soon?  That shopping center really looks terrible.     CO Granite Bay

 

5/21/05  Weeds Need Attention

Just wanted to remind you about the weeds that need to be cut down on the strip of land bordering Douglas Blvd between Auburn Folsom and Christy Lane. All the rain we've had has made for a pretty fair crop.     CO Granite Bay

 

4/8/05  Fire Administrative Officers Association Vice President Questions Promotion Process

The South Placer Fire Administrative Officers Association is very happy for Karl Fowler and Lawrence Bettencourt for their promotions; however, we also want to comment on the promotion of Fire Marshal Lawrence Bettencourt to Battalion Chief. This promotion was not part of the reorganization plan that was adopted. The position of Fire Marshal was created to replace the position of Fire Marshal/Battalion Chief to make the position more efficient by shifting the operational responsibilities to the newly created Shift Battalion Chief positions. Due to the lack of operational responsibility that the position has, there was no rank assigned to the job description as is other positions such as Fleet Manager, Accountant Tech, or Administrative Secretary. During the reorganization, the Fire Marshal / Battalion Chief was given a choice of being a Battalion Chief OR Fire Marshal. In addition, the arbitrary promotion did not follow the proper channels because it was created for one individual while other qualified candidates did not get the same opportunity. There are four other individuals that are on the Battalion Chief promotional list. None of them were allowed to compete for this promotion. This promotion was not disclosed to the public until after the fact. Even though we are happy for Lawrence Bettencourt, we do not support the process by which he was promoted.     .....JB Granite Bay

 

4/4/05  Another Resident Opposes Proposed Development

I am writing regarding the project that Dan Pastor is proposing to develop on Elmhurst Drive. I live on Elmhurst Drive and see the traffic on the street near the schools every day, and it is already a serious issue. It is a dangerous area for the kids walking or riding their bikes to school. Elmhurst Drive is the only way to get to both Oakhills and Ridgeview Schools. This street was not intended to become a major thoroughfare. Yet, since it was opened in the recent past it has been used as a cut-through by high school students and others. 

We are also dealing with increased traffic from Feist Park. The park is a wonderful addition to the area providing much needed field space for sports organizations for our children, but imagine the traffic that will be added resulting from baseball and soccer games during all days of the week.

Dan Pastor presented 39-43 homes on this plot of land with the main entrance coming right on to Elmhurst Drive. This means an additional 390-430 vehicle trips PER DAY!!! Elmhurst Drive cannot take that kind of traffic increase.  This land MUST be developed according to the Community Plan which calls for up to 6 homes because it is a matter of the safety of our children. Protect the Plan, protect our natural surroundings and PROTECT OUR CHILDREN!!!!!!     .....LE Granite Bay  

 

3/23/05  Residents Oppose Proposed Development

I oppose the proposed Pastor land use of the property at Elmhurst and Swan Lake.  The density proposed is in violation of the Granite Bay Community Plan and would be a disastrous impact on our roads already overwhelmed by too many houses, schools and commuters.  I think I can mange to visit our senior citizens in Lincoln and Roseville easily enough without further assault on our current environment.  Please vote against this onslaught the next time it comes before the MAC.     ....CD Granite Bay

 

1/20/05  Concerned With New Noise Ordinance

Placer County adopted a noise ordinance last year. This ordinance is obviously aimed at two things; off-road vehicle noise and the sounds that active families and teenagers make...home parties, music, practicing an instrument, etc. It allows for noise levels at the property line at decibel levels equal to that of normal human conversation only, at any time of day. It allows for certain exceptions such as lawn care equipment and gunfire for two continuous hours. It allows no exceptions or time of day allowances for off-road vehicles (this means riding your dirt bike in your own yard) or for music ( this means a 20 minute instrument practice is not acceptable) or for private parties in your own back yard (if it is 5:00 pm and someone complains, it is your problem). It calls for our sheriff's to respond to these calls and spend their valuable time taking decibel readings. It infringes on the very activities that keep families participating in activities together and more importantly, allowing us to make choices regarding what we do on our own property and in our own homes, even if it is timely and reasonable. It allows for intolerant people to affect your daily lives.  You can read the ordinance in full at http://www.placer.ca.gov/bos/12-16-03-noise-ord.pdf . The exceptions are of particular interest, especially what is NOT excepted.  If you have concerns or comments, please contact your local supervisor. .....DG Granite Bay