Planning commish OKs
first gated community
YUBA CITY (4/24/03) -- The Yuba City Planning Commission approved, 7-0, the town's first gated community of ritzy single-family homes.
Calling it a precedent setting "breakthrough," Commissioner Maynard Dunn said the decision would likely result in proposals for more such exclusive enclaves.
The panel vote Wednesday green-lighted Signature Estates, an 8.6-acre subdivision of 26 homes to be located on the west side of Blevin Road at the current terminus of Bradley Estates Drive.
The project was first proposed about a year ago by Feather River Construction Company, with the homes expected to range in price from $325,00 to $600,000, real estate broker Jim Dusa said.
Sixteen of the homes and lots would account for about 45 percent of the land, and 10 larger homes and lots the remainder, planning document showed.
The 16 smaller homes would edge an extension of Bradley Estates Drive that would cut through the parcel to connect to a planned extension of Harter Road. The 10 larger homes would sit on a gated cul-de-sac called "Cobblestone Court."
The tract would be protected from trespassers by a combination of stone walls, wooden fences and chain link fences, an engineer on the project told the panel.
The city has previously considered gated communities, and approved two townhouse versions, but no comprehensive policy on larger private enclaves had been established, according to city planner Dennis Cook.
Gated communities pose some problems for planners, Cook and other city staff noted, especially "connectivity" of streets and traffic flow.
However, Signatures Estates did not present problems in theirs areas and so, lacking any other planning objections, the staff recommended approval.
Still, Dunn and a few of the project's neighbors had mixed feelings about the social concept of gated communities.
"They're divisive. They send the wrong message of haves and have-nots. You'd have walls and 10 special people living behind them," said Melia Campbell, who lives across Blevin from the project.
"I can't figure out a logical reason why people want them," added Dunn.
But there is definitely a market demand for private communities, with much of the interest come from buyers relocating form Sacramento, Dusa said.
"All 10 (of the most expensive homes) were sold before we got out of the engineering office. Word of the project spread quickly," Dusa said.
Security, not exclusivity is the chief factor for buyers choosing gated community living. "One buyer travels a lot for business and wanted to feel his wife is safe when he's gone," Dusa said.
Security for the home itself was also a factor, said Harold Eastridge, chief executive officer of Feather River Construction.
"Real or not, it's the perception of security" in a gated community that counts,' Eastridge said.
"The people who buy them are generally older, travel and have other homes where they spend time. They like to think their (Yuba City) is behind a wall and a gate," Eastridge said.
For the Sacramento Bee
first gated community
YUBA CITY (4/24/03) -- The Yuba City Planning Commission approved, 7-0, the town's first gated community of ritzy single-family homes.
Calling it a precedent setting "breakthrough," Commissioner Maynard Dunn said the decision would likely result in proposals for more such exclusive enclaves.
The panel vote Wednesday green-lighted Signature Estates, an 8.6-acre subdivision of 26 homes to be located on the west side of Blevin Road at the current terminus of Bradley Estates Drive.
The project was first proposed about a year ago by Feather River Construction Company, with the homes expected to range in price from $325,00 to $600,000, real estate broker Jim Dusa said.
Sixteen of the homes and lots would account for about 45 percent of the land, and 10 larger homes and lots the remainder, planning document showed.
The 16 smaller homes would edge an extension of Bradley Estates Drive that would cut through the parcel to connect to a planned extension of Harter Road. The 10 larger homes would sit on a gated cul-de-sac called "Cobblestone Court."
The tract would be protected from trespassers by a combination of stone walls, wooden fences and chain link fences, an engineer on the project told the panel.
The city has previously considered gated communities, and approved two townhouse versions, but no comprehensive policy on larger private enclaves had been established, according to city planner Dennis Cook.
Gated communities pose some problems for planners, Cook and other city staff noted, especially "connectivity" of streets and traffic flow.
However, Signatures Estates did not present problems in theirs areas and so, lacking any other planning objections, the staff recommended approval.
Still, Dunn and a few of the project's neighbors had mixed feelings about the social concept of gated communities.
"They're divisive. They send the wrong message of haves and have-nots. You'd have walls and 10 special people living behind them," said Melia Campbell, who lives across Blevin from the project.
"I can't figure out a logical reason why people want them," added Dunn.
But there is definitely a market demand for private communities, with much of the interest come from buyers relocating form Sacramento, Dusa said.
"All 10 (of the most expensive homes) were sold before we got out of the engineering office. Word of the project spread quickly," Dusa said.
Security, not exclusivity is the chief factor for buyers choosing gated community living. "One buyer travels a lot for business and wanted to feel his wife is safe when he's gone," Dusa said.
Security for the home itself was also a factor, said Harold Eastridge, chief executive officer of Feather River Construction.
"Real or not, it's the perception of security" in a gated community that counts,' Eastridge said.
"The people who buy them are generally older, travel and have other homes where they spend time. They like to think their (Yuba City) is behind a wall and a gate," Eastridge said.
For the Sacramento Bee
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