Oppose the Fair Oaks Water District Corporation Yard Redevelopment Project

<aside> 🗣 We need your help! Join the movement.

• Click here to sign our petition!
• Join and follow the **Save the Fair Oaks Village** Facebook group.
• [Click here to send a pre-written letter to FOWD board members](mailto:[email protected][email protected]&subject=Please%20move%20the%20Maintenance%20Yard%20&body=Dear%20FOWD%20Board%20Member%3A%0A%0AI%20am%20writing%20to%20let%20you%20know%20that%20I%20oppose%20the%20FOWD%20Corporation%20Yard%20Redevelopment%20Project.%20The%20project%20sits%20at%20the%20gateway%20to%20the%20Fair%20Oaks%20Village%2C%20and%20I%20don%E2%80%99t%20believe%20that%20a%20maintenance%20yard%20is%20the%20best%20use%20for%20one%20of%20the%20largest%20sites%20in%20the%20village.%0A%0AI%20formally%20request%20that%20the%20following%20actions%20be%20taken%3A%0A-%20The%20project%20is%20stopped.%0A-%20The%20yard%20is%20moved.%0A-%20The%20land%20is%20put%20to%20better%20use%20for%20the%20community.%0A%0A%3CADDITIONAL%20TEXT%20IF%20NEEDED%3E%0A%0AI%20live%20in%20Fair%20Oaks%20and%20was%20unaware%20of%20the%20project%20until%20now.%20I%20was%20not%20notified%20of%20any%20community%20outreach%20opportunities%20to%20learn%20more%20or%20to%20voice%20my%20concerns.%20Community%20outreach%20for%20this%20project%20was%20done%20during%20the%20COVID-19%20lock%20down%2C%20which%20was%20not%20an%20appropriate%20or%20fair%20time%20to%20get%20true%20public%20input.%0A%0AThe%20Village%20has%20changed%20significantly%20since%20the%20plan%E2%80%99s%20inception.%20If%20FOWD%20is%20allowed%20to%20rebuild%2C%20we%20will%20miss%20a%20huge%20opportunity%20to%20further%20enhance%20our%20community%2C%20and%20a%20maintenance%20yard%20will%20become%20a%20permanent%20fixture%20for%20generations.%0A%0ARemember%2C%20the%20ratepayers%20own%20this%20land.%20FOWD%20should%20be%20putting%20the%20community%E2%80%99s%20needs%20above%20their%20own.%20That%E2%80%99s%20currently%20not%20the%20case.%20Please%20vote%20to%20move%20the%20yard.%0A%0ASave%20the%20Fair%20Oaks%20Village.%0A%0APlease%20forward%20to%20the%20Clerk%20of%20the%20Board%20as%20I%20am%20formally%20requesting%20this%20email%20be%20read%20during%20public%20comments%20at%20the%20next%20Board%20Meeting.%0A%0AThank%20you%2C%0A%0A%3CYOUR%20FULL%20NAME%3E%0AFair%20Oaks%20Resident).
• Want to write your own letter? Email [email protected]. </aside>

The Problem

The nearly $10-million-dollar Fair Oaks Water District (FOWD) Corporation Yard Redevelopment Project is currently being planned at the gateway to the Fair Oaks Village. We don’t believe that a maintenance yard is the best use of a prime 1.59-acre site. Allowing a corporate maintenance facility on one of the largest pieces of land in our Village is a wasted public opportunity.

The Solution

Fair Oaks residents and businesses overwhelmingly endorse the idea that FOWD relocate their yard to a new location outside of the heart of the village. The Fair Oaks Village Enhancement Committee agrees.

There are countless more viable options that would better serve our community. Ideas for the space include parking for the Village, a co-op style market with farmer’s market, an artist cooperative, a tech start-up hub or even an ice cream parlor. The possibilities are endless.

Not What the Community Wants

Community outreach for this project was done during the COVID-19 lockdown, which was not an appropriate or fair time to get true public input. All surrounding neighbors — residential and business — were supposed to be contacted. Were you?

Here is what was said by those that did have a chance to provide feedback:

• Public outreach for the project was poor.
• FOWD should move the corporation yard outside of the Village SPA.