Yosemite West Property &
Homeowners, Inc.

The board held a discussion concerning how the proposed Silver Top Resort is opposed by most members of the Fish Camp community, and is inconsistent with the pre-existing Fish Camp Special Plan. The board objects to our County supervisors over-ruling local, long-established plans and believes this sets a bad precedent for other communities in Mariposa County such as ours. It was unanimously agreed to send a letter to the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors voicing our concerns.

YOSEMITE WEST PROPERTY & HOMEOWNERS, INC. MEETING (August 31, 2003)

YWPHI Opposition and Objections to Silver Tip Project

As directed by the YWPHI Board of Directors, Debby Hagan sent a letter on behalf of YWPHI opposing the proposed Silver Tip Resort in Fish Camp. There are two bases for the opposition:

• First, the project is opposed by most Fish Camp owners and residents, and YWPHI does not believe that the supervisors should ignore the wishes of the Fish Camp community.
• Second, the project is inconsistent with Fish Camp's long-standing controlling zoning document, its Specific Plan, which was recently modified by the supervisors to accommodate the Silver Tip project. YWPHI does not believe that the supervisors should modify zoning ordinances solely to accommodate special interests. This sets a bad precedent for other Mariposa County communities such as ours.

YOSEMITE WEST PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING (upcoming September 6, 2003)

The Yosemite West Planning Advisory Committee (YWPAC) is continuing efforts to develop a Special Plan for Yosemite West. The Special Plan deals with localized zoning issues that are specific to small communities such as Yosemite West. The committee will ultimately make recommendations about zoning and land use issues in Yosemite West. Some of the issues which are being addressed include:

• how to balance rental and non-rental uses in Yosemite West;
• how to mitigate impacts of transient rental facilities on other property owners;
• the future of larger-scale rental offices
• building size limits; and
• reducing nighttime lighting glare.

The purpose of the September 6, 2003 meeting is to obtain public input on options open to the committee on various zoning and land use issues. A preliminary discussion draft will be available in advance of the meeting.

The committee can make recommendations only - it cannot implement any changes. The committee's recommendations must be approved by the Planning Commission and then by the Board of Supervisors. There will be opportunities for public comment about any recommendations. Comments and suggestions can be directed to any of the YWPAC members, or to the Mariposa County Planning Department.

Anyone wishing periodic updates on the YWPAC progress can asked to be put on the mailing list. Contact Mariposa County Planning Director Eric Toll by email or by telephone at (209) 966-5151.

YOSEMITE WEST MAINTENANCE DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING (July 18, 2003)

Sewer Project

By the way of background, financing of the Yosemite West sewer repair project will be provided by a loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The loan will result in assessments on all Yosemite West properties. Following approval of the loan by the USDA, construction bids will be solicited in order to obtain a firm cost figure. Then, further approval by vote of Yosemite West residents will be required.

All vacant los, and all three-bedroom, two-bath homes (or smaller) will get the same assessment. Existing homes larger than three-bedroom, two-bath will pay proportionately more, and the condominium united (which are generally smaller) will pay slightly less. The project is intended to allow full build-out of Yosemite West at the size of three-bedroom, two-bath homes. A more specific update follows:

• The final paperwork for a $240,000 US Environmental Protection Agency grant is being completed and is expected to be finalized by September 30, 2003.
• The USDA has signed off on the environmental report.
• The USDA office in Merced has processed the paperwork for the loan application and has forwarded it to the state office of the USDA. The Mariposa County Public Works Department (Public Words) expects that a "letter of approval and conditions" is eminent. [Note: The Letter of Approval and Conditions was in fact received by Public Works on July 31, 2003.]
• Public Works went to the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors to determine if the bidding process for the final cost of the sewer reconstruction and the Assessment Election process could be done simultaneously. The supervisors directed Public Works to bid the project first and hold the voting after the bid results are obtained and evaluated.
• A rough schedule of the timetable following the receipt of the "letter of approval and conditions" is:
• 90 days to finalize plans and specifications with USDA approval
• 60 days for the construction bid process
• 60 days for the assessment proceedings, culminating in a vote by Yosemite West owners
• 30 days for home and lot owners to contest individual assessments and to pay off the assessment in full if the owner so wishes
• The supervisors indicated that they will not be able to fund the additional capacity (costing about $300,000) that is to be held in reserve for purchase by lot owners who wish to build a home larger than three bedrooms, two bath, or for homeowners who wish to enlarge their existing home. Funding for the additional capacity will instead have to be financed externally. Purchase of additional capacity for individual homeowners will be on a first-come, first-served basis, but will only be permitted at the time of approval of building plans.
• For homes larger than three bedroom, two bath, assessments will be proportionately higher. The committee requested that for each existing home, the listed home size be provided to the owner in advance so that they could verify that it was accurate.
• For homes larger than three bedroom, two bath, assessments will be proportionately higher. The committee requested that for each existing home, the listed home size be provided to the owner in advance so that they could verify that it was accurate.
• An individual in the audience asked if issuance of new building permits and construction would be allowed concurrent with the sewer reconstruction project (assuming a positive Assessment Election result). Public Works employee Dana Hertfelder said the Director Jim Petropulos prefers that approach, however final determination will require the concurrence of the Board of Supervisors and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Financial Report

Carl Casey, financial manager for Public Works presented the preliminary 6/30/2003 fiscal year-end financial report for the Yosemite West Maintenance District.

• Results in the Roads account indicated a preliminary excess of revenues over expenses of $37,000 for the fiscal year. This is because expenses have been low, reflecting the fact that only minimal road repair is taking place in fiscal 2003.
• The Sewer account indicated a preliminary excess of revenues over expense of approximately $4,000 for the fiscal year, however, with adjustments, it is expected to approximately break even for the year.
• The Water account indicated a preliminary excess of expenses over revenues (a loss) of $21,500 for the fiscal year. This loss will increase when the year-end adjustments are posted. This deficit does not include the approximately $15,000 that was transferred from the Utility Capital to repair/replace malfunctioning pumps in June.
• The Water and Sewer accounts have both run deficits in each of the previous two years. There is an obvious need to increase the fees in those areas to offset the ongoing operating expenses.
• As a part of the USDA loan package, Public Works was required to provide a tentative budget for the Sewer portion of the District, including a fee structure that is sufficient to operate the District at break even and include a realistic depreciation expenses and reserve. Although the committee was not provided with the tentative budget, Carl Casey indicated that the sewer fee would have to increase by 30% to 40%.

Maintenance

• In June 2003 the lower water pump malfunctioned and had to be pulled and replaced. The district had the old pump rebuilt, so we again have a spare.
• The committee expressed disappointment and concern over the lack of road repair in the last two years. Dana Hertfelder indicated that some road repair is scheduled for August. The committee proposed that $25,000 from operating capital be added to the $10,000 budgeted for road repair in the 2003-4 budget for a total of $35,000. Dana feels that this will take care of all the "have to" repairs.
• The electronic water meter reader was malfunctioning for April/May and water bills had to be estimated. In June, actual readings were taken with the repaired electronic water meter reader.

Site Map Copyright text © Yosemite West Property & Homeowners, Inc. 2003-2012, Copyright photographs © John Mock 2004-2012. All rights reserved. Unauthorized redistribution of this document is prohibited. Updated February 7, 2012.