GALT, CA (MPG) - The Galt City Council’s decision at its July 15 meeting to delay approval of the Fairway Oaks subdivision Final Map and Subdivision Improvement Agreement proved a wise move as the meeting’s public comments revealed a number of residents’ concerns about the development.

The development, currently beginning construction, is located east of South Lincoln Way, west of U.S. Highway 99 and the Dry Creek Ranch Golf Course and between Southdale Terrace and Russell Ranch (Creekside) subdivisions on the north and south, respectively.

According to the staff report, the 48.7-acre subdivision will consist of 162 “medium density single-family residential lots” and 11 acres of “passive open space” upon final buildout.

The report also notes construction of “offsite improvements” for Fairway Oaks gives the city an opportunity to extend water and sewer facilities along Bernal and Cornell roads. Westly extension of these facilities along Cornell, along with “stubbing out” water and sewer lateral lines along both roads, “will facilitate future connections by the adjacent properties that have been recently annexed” without having to dig up newly paved roads.

The final map for Fairway Oaks also “offers the dedication of roadway rights-of-way and four lots for public uses that include open space, storm drainage, utility and emergency vehicle access.” The open space includes a bike trail, oak grove preserve and a stormwater quality basin.

“We still have some work to do on utility and easement issues, so we prefer to have time to resolve those issues before bringing that for final map approval,” Interim City Manager Chris Erias said in citing staff’s recommendation to delay a final decision on Fairway Oaks construction.

Glendale Avenue and Cornell and Ranch roads provide access to Fairway Oaks off South Lincoln Way, with the latter running through the Russell Ranch (Creekside) subdivision. Additionally, Chase Drive, accessed off Ranch and other roads in Creekside, would be extended along the east border of Fairway Oaks and wrap around into the subdivision north of Cornell.

It was these concerns over traffic and safety that had a number of residents from along Cornell Road and the Creekside areas attending the July 15 meeting. Although the item was pulled from the Consent Agenda schedule, Mayor Shawn Farmer recognized residents’ desire to speak on the issue during the public comment period on non-agenda items.

A July 14 post on the Galt Creekside News website noted an email sent among residents on Cornell Road had requested they attend the July 15 council meeting to advocate for closing that road to traffic, essentially making it private.

Creekside/Ranch Road residents expressed on the site that they would also be attending the meeting to oppose this move, stating “to let the council know they need to stick to the plan.”

The Fairway Oaks development, currently beginning construction, is located east of South Lincoln Way, west of U.S. Highway 99 and the Dry Creek Ranch Golf Course and between Southdale Terrace and Russell Ranch (Creekside) subdivisions.

Several Cornell residents spoke to this at the meeting, with 23-year Cornell Road resident Carol Smith noting the road is so narrow toward its eastern terminus that drivers can “high-five” each other as they pass.

Smith questioned if the road width was legal, adding there are no sidewalks or other safety measures currently along Cornell Road for residents and said she would be “mortified” to have her grandchildren playing outside her home when Fairway Oaks development brings more houses and traffic. She noted that along Glendale, Ranch and Chase, sidewalks exist and the roadway is “as my neighbor said, about 46 feet wide.”

“The infrastructure is there,” Smith said. “It’s not there on Cornell Road, so I’m one for keeping Cornell Road, closing it off, permanently, and if possible, making it a private road.”

Smith’s suggestion for making Cornell private received applause, as did residents of Creekside who were present and spoke against closing off Cornell Road.

Creekside resident, former Galt mayor and councilmember Jay Vandenburg said the traffic study for the development was “too old” and that closing Cornell would force more Fairway Oaks traffic onto Ranch Road.

Vandenburg also said he was concerned about the height of proposed retaining walls for Fairway Oaks and together with closing Cornell and not making proposed road improvements could lead to decreased safety for residents to satisfy requirements of the development builders, K. Hovanian Homes Northern California.

“To summarize, I would say that this is a sacrifice of many for the benefit of few and we should do better than that,” Vandenburg said.

“I think overall the issue is the increased demand, the increased traffic to both neighborhoods, to both streets,” area resident Brooke Stahmer said, pointing to overall traffic in the area as factoring into impacts on the community.

The proposed resolution on the Fairway Oaks Final Map and Subdivision Improvement Agreement notes the latter requires K. Hovanian Homes Northern California to complete an estimated $14.332 million in public improvements “in accordance with the conditions of approval.”

Staff said they would bring the Fairway Oaks resolution back at a future council meeting.

View development plans here: https://www.cityofgalt.org/government/public-works-department/bid-cip-construction-projects/fairway-...