May 2005

You might or might not know that the Beaumont City Council approved the Noble Creek Vista (EIR) Environmental Impact Report on February 15^th. As you all are well aware, this has been an on-going issue for a number of years. Even after two 3 hour presentations by the Beaumont Cherry Valley Water District, their Engineer and other ‘experts’, touting their spin on the abundance of water in the Basin, the fact still remains that WATER is still an issue.

Fact: San Gorgonio State Water Agency is still unable to deliver water to the area. Granted, it is being tested at the ponds located on Orchard, but none is being used to actually water anything. By law THEIR FIRST OBLIGATION is to address the overdraft of the Beaumont Basin, yet they propose to sell water to Yuciapa. (who by the way DOES NOT pay the taxes we do on this water.)

Fact: Beaumont Cherry Valley Water District has a plan to recharge run-off water at their facility between Brookside and C.V. Blvd. However, it is not operational at this time.

Fact: The City of Beaumont is working on a treatment plant for recycled water. But at this time no date has been set for it to be operational and there are questions regarding permits etc. Therefore, no recycled water is being used for golf courses – landscaping – parks etc.

Chart depicts water availability (or lack of) over the next 20 years.

These are PLANS – do you call it “wet water”’ or ‘paper water’ or maybe “imaginary water”? And yet the Water District continues to issue “Will Serve Letters” to developers even though the number of houses for some developments are unknown. Another unknown factor is how much water private wells are extracting from the basin…and the Water master is planning to overdraft the basin by 160,000 acre feet in the next nine years. It is called SURPLUS OVERDRAFT MANAGEMENT.

All this leads up to ‘where we are’. We feel we are exactly where we were 4-5 years ago. There is not enough water to support the rapid growth in the Beaumont area. We do not feel that the new EIR (that has been ok’d by Beaumont/Noble Creek Vistas) has overcome our previous objections. They have addressed it by stating “there is a substantial unavoidable impact” ( in other words we know it’s not good but we’re going to do it anyway!)

That leaves us with only one alternative and that was to take legal action once again by filing a new Petition with the Court. After a lengthy discussion with our Attorney it is the unanimous conclusion of your Board, this is our only recourse.

We have always had the support of our members and know that you will do so in the future. Without all of you in Cherry Valley who are concerned about our future we would not be the rural community we are today. My very sincere thanks to all of you. Your President. .

Beaumont is on the move

SunnyCal Egg Ranch has filed application to be annexed to the City of Beaumont (including the Danny Thomas property North of CV. Blvd. In conjunction with that request the City will ask for a Sphere of Influence over everything between Brookside and Cherry Valley Blvd. and Beaumont Ave. to the I-10.

Can we stop this hostile take over of Cherry Valley? I don’t know – what I do know is if we don’t fight back it will happen. Only those living in that area will get to VOTE on the issue. The rest of us can protest.

To those of you who live in the effected area – you must know this: 1) You will be subject to Utility Taxes: 2) Mandatory trash pick up: 3) When you are ready to sell your home you cannot advertise it as ‘horse’ property. The zoning will change! 4) $15 permit fee for a yard sale: 5) You will probably be required to install sewers.

Don’t leave it “up to ‘the other guy”. If you want to remain in the County and part of Cherry Valley – YOU MUST GET INVOLVED…

If CVAN doesn’t do it who WILL?

All residents who enjoy living in Cherry Valley and want to retain the semi-rural character of the community should belong to CVAN. Why? Because CVAN has been the leading local organization in a very long struggle to protect Cherry Valley from hi-density development and hostile annexations. Members are aware of the recent lawsuits CVAN has filed and won to protect the Community as well as the suit currently in the courts. CVAN’S success has always been due to the support of its members. They are the ones who pay their dues and support our activities. This is as it should be. We live in and love our community.

If we don’t do it who will?

By the same token, CVAN has always maintained a spirit of cooperation towards our surrounding cities… sometimes warm and cordial – sometimes not. However, at all times CVAN’s position was constructive and based on the desires of its members and the welfare of the Community. No outside official or organization has ever influenced our position with regard to our community.

No one likes lawsuits, especially CVAN. Unlike a lawsuit asking for damages, we have sought only to protect our community, and reimbursement of legal costs. We have tried to avoid lawsuits by pleading our case to the developer and the City but after being almost thrown off the speaker podium at the City Planning Commission and ignored by the Council, we had no alternative, hence, our third action against Noble Creek Vistas.

At both City hearings on this project, the Water District, speaking on behalf of, and paid for by the developer, spoke for almost 3 hours to plead their case regarding availability of water. CVAN was allowed 3 minutes. The Commission and Council approved the Project unanimously with little or no discussion. Obviously, their minds were made up prior to the meetings.

No court date has been set at this time. Should we lose we will probably go to Appellate Court. Perhaps a little consideration of the desires of the folks who live in Cherry Valley by the developer and the city, could avoid future suits.

Membership status

Paid membership in CVAN stood at 494 families at last count. This is the largest on record. It illustrates that the residents of Cherry Valley want to protect and preserve Cherry Valley and recognize we can only succeed by organizing and working together as a unified group. Membership is open to all residents of Cherry Valley and to outsiders if approved by the board of Directors. Dues are $10.00 per family per year. Families must live in the same household. Families who join now will have their membership continue through June 2006. Your membership pays for Grange rental, Ruralists mailings, etc. Donations support our other efforts.

Not all Agree

Unfortunately, a small number of residents would like to see the area developed and annexed to Beaumont. And they are working to do just that! Among this group are the owners of the Sunny Cal Egg Ranch, some property owners and local businessmen. They have taken their case to County Supervisor, Marion Ashley who is in the process of trying to mediate the issue to the satisfaction of everyone – an almost impossible task.

Supervisor Ashley is trying to mediate the issues governing the future of Cherry Valley through a series of three community meetings with all parties, including residents, in attendance.

The first meeting was held at Noble Creek, March 24. Attendees included Supervisor Ashley and key members of his staff, George Spiliotis, Executive Secretary of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), several officials from Beaumont, Calimesa, Pass Water Agency, Beaumont/Cherry Valley Water District and of course, representatives from CVAN. The sheer number of elected officials from surrounding cities and agencies illustrates the importance these entities give to these meetings.

Many Cherry Valley residents attended and voiced their desire to preserve the character of the community. We believe their statements had an impact upon the Supervisor and other officials in attendance. However CVAN cannot agree on any annexations to any city unless legal mechanisms are in place to protect the community and preserve its semi-rural character. The second meeting was held April 21, with a very strong showing...about 300 folks in attendance. The third meeting date has not been announced yet.

Development of the Egg Ranch Property

The owners of the Sunny Cal Egg Ranch located on Cherry Valley Blvd. want to leave the Egg business and develop their property with hi-density houses. To do this they have applied for annexation to Beaumont. County property in Cherry Valley is generally zoned for one home per one-acre parcel. We are in the process of responding to the Draft Environmental Report (EIR) through our attorney. We will keep you informed. It is a long process from Beaumont Planning Commission, City Council, to LAFCO. We will have a number of opportunities to speak up.