Stetson Appeal Report

dated 6-2-2005

(Based on data provided by Paul Rosales)

Responding to the appeal, which was filed by Paul Rosales with financial support from other Skypark owners, the County had previously agreed to "revisit" the lack of open space for children's play in the developer's plan and other noted shortcomings. 

A May 31, 2005 Staff Report (click here for PDF copy) details the results of that "revisiting".

In essence, the developer agreed to three changes which address some of our major concerns.

First, he will reduce the plan by one duplex building and devote the space to a kid's play area (see Exhibit B of the Staff Report).

Second, he agreed to re-orient the four units which had been planned to open directly onto Stetson right across from Lot 41.  These will now open to internal streets and a 6-foot block wall will face Stetson (units 36 and 39 on Exhibit A of the Staff Report).  There will be landscaping maintained along this block wall, and the 6-foot wall will step down to 4 feet as it approaches the project's street entrances.

Finally, street lighting will be installed at the entrances of the project (the Stetson entrance remains, but will be lighted).

Based on acceptance of these three mitigating actions, the actual appeal will be "denied", although its primary objectives have been fairly well met.  The actions will be a great benefit to us by reducing the impact of this development on our neighborhood.

The support of our supervisor Don Maben was a key factor in achieving these improvements and he deserves our thanks.

And of course many thanks to Paul Rosales, who carried the torch for those of us who supported the appeal by filing the paperwork and making multiple trips to Bakersfield.