The Concerned Residents of Westlake and North Natomas July 9, 2008 Delivered Via Facsimile and E-Mail Ms. Wendy Hoyt HDR/The Hoyt Company 660 J Street, Suite 444 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: Natomas Landing Project (P99-091) Dear Ms. Hoyt: Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the latest version of the Ose family’s proposed Natomas Landing development. We received from you on June 24th several artists’ renderings of the proposal, but have not seen a revised project description or any other plans or details to date. We have taken time to review the limited information contained in the new site plan-drawing and related renderings. There are several items that represent steps in the right direction and improvements over the previous versions.

• mixed-use buildings with office space over retail; • the inclusion of hotels as part of the development; • the use of public art and other quality design features such as pavers and

fountains; • a local and unique identity to the project as you described in our meeting.

However, we still cannot support the new proposed plan, for two reasons: 1) All the original concerns we have expressed over the course of the last three years still remain, in part because the total amount of proposed retail/commercial space remains roughly the same; 2) We have no details about the plan and what sort of binding agreements Mr. Ose is willing to make as part of the development agreement or conditions of approval. Our comments in this letter are based on three artist’s drawings. Our concerns, as expressed to the City Council, Planning Commission and Mr. Ose and his representatives over the last several years are:

1. Overall Size: The new plan still proposes 400,000 sq. ft. of retail. The total proposed retail in the area that would impact the intersection of El Centro and Del Paso is 884,425 sq. ft. based on the following breakdown: • Westlake Village, northwest corner – 66,151 sq. ft. (approved/partially built) • Crown Plaza, southeast corner – 14,425 sq. ft. (approved by City Council.

Hotel not included in square footage)

• Point West Plaza (formerly Natomas Central Retail), southwest corner – 403,849 sq. ft. (proposed)

• Ose Natomas Landing, northeast corner – 400,000 sq. ft. (proposed) • TOTAL INTERSECTION RETAIL – 884,425 sq. ft.

This is more retail than either the Opus Gateway Promenade at 665,593 sq. ft. or Natomas Marketplace at 491,593 sq. ft.; and would be closer in size to the Westfield Downtown Plaza. Direct and cumulative traffic, noise and related impacts therefore remain a concern.

2. Site Accessibility: The site has only one major intersection in and out of the retail area; that intersection also serves as the main access and egress for residents in Westlake and the other existing and developing residential areas west of I 5.

3. Traffic Impacts: Due to the large amount of retail, the proposed project will

generate much more evening and weekend traffic than the current North Natomas Community Plan (NNCP) land use ever anticipated. Even if traffic studies show less overall trips with the new proposed plan, the type of traffic will have a larger impact on residents. The current plan would generate traffic in opposite flows of residential traffic patterns and thus has the potential to create even more congestion to the residents of Westlake and North Natomas. Additionally, we know from the EIR that the corridor from Del Paso to downtown would have an LOS rating of “F”, and that translates to gridlock on this portion of I-5 – the “gateway to Sacramento.” In order to reduce the number of anticipated daily traffic trips we therefore request a reduction in the overall amount of retail space proposed for the site.

4. Health and Safety: Paramount in all of our discussions has been the potential

impact to the health and safety of children. Less than 400 yards from the intersection of El Centro and Del Paso, there are two public schools (an elementary and middle school), three city parks, and a residential clubhouse with pool. The school district owns and plans to develop a third site about a ¼ mile away. In addition, the proposed development is in the path of students that walk and bike to Inderkum High School.

5. The Mix of Land Use: The NNCP calls for smart growth with a balance of retail,

residential, schools, and employment centers. Too much retail will greatly affect the livability and quality of life for the communities and residents west of the I-5 interchange at Del Paso and El Centro.

We believe that the following changes to the proposal would facilitate increased community support of the Natomas Landing Project:

1. A reduction in the amount of retail from 400,000 sq. ft. to 200,000 sq. ft., consistent with the current zoning and North Natomas Community Plan.

2. A maximum of a two-lane flyover at the north end of the project (i.e., a development that does not trigger an increase to 4 lanes).

3. No retail store with a larger footprint than 80,000 sq. ft. 4. Office space should be Class A, with no change to retail at a later time. 5. A traffic pattern for trucks that does not permit travel into the community

on Hawkview, or nighttime deliveries. (Currently there are not enough details in the drawing to see what the truck path would be in and out of the development.)

6. A 30- foot, landscaped buffer along the east side of El Centro with a separated sidewalk that runs the length of the development.

If we can agree on these parameters, community support would then depend on resolution of additional concerns regarding signage and lighting, design, landscaping, a security service, and assurance that the retail tenants will be family-oriented and high quality. We would also expect that the developer would support and work towards our request of the City for a corresponding increase in police and fire service (a police substation and third fire station) to North Natomas, based on the City’s increase in revenue from the expansion of retail on this intersection. The reduction in size and design to better fit the area will result in less traffic congestion, a better ability for truck traffic to deliver products to the site without causing a nuisance to residents, and most importantly, increased safeguards to the health and safety of residents, customers and nearby schools. We appreciate the opportunity to offer our thoughts and look forward to your prompt response and continued dialogue. Cordially, E. Jesús Arredondo For The Concerned Residents of Westlake and North Natomas CC: Councilman Ray Tretheway City Planning Staff H. Hung, D. Wong, G. Bitter Mayor Heather Fargo Creekside Community Association Regency Park Homeowners Association

North Natomas Association Natomas Community Association