Loomis postpones donation to Clover Valley preserve to wait on Auburn Rancheria bid

Although officials want to donate, the Loomis Town Council decided to postpone giving money toward Clover Valley preservation until ownership, access and other issues are clear. Jessup University entered into a $16 million agreement with Placer Land Trust early this year to buy a 402-acre portion of Clover Valley to preserve the undeveloped hollow in Rocklin on Loomis' western border. Now that funding for the purchase has been secured, a new player is interested in taking over from Jessup: Auburn Rancheria. "There is interest from the United Auburn Indian Community to potentially purchase it from Jessup," said Trust Assistant Director Brandy Waters at the July 8 council meeting. "They have a lot more funds than Jessup, too." "Jessup has zero desire to hold on to this," said Councilmember Amanda Cortez. "That's all they wanted to do was help facilitate." Placer Land Trust would remain the steward of the conservation easement, Waters said. The preserve was otherwise pegged to be "carved up" with a 558-home subdivision and commercial strip mall. Wetlands and an estimated 7,000 oaks would be lost, and important wildlife habitat destroyed, according to the Clover Valley Foundation. Besides ownership issues, Loomis officials are also concerned there is no town public access to the meadow except for Clover Valley Road, a private drive off Sierra College Blvd. "It's a private road. We've had multiple problems with other private roads that had access to our properties, and there's no desire to go that route at all," said Waters. The road might work as a pedestrian access, but that's for Loomis to decide, Waters added later. Placer Land Trust Executive Director Jeff Darlington said last January that $11.64 million of the $16 million price tag had been raised, with a shortfall of $4.3 million. Since then, the city of Rocklin committed $2 million, followed by the Placer County Office of Education donating the rest, or $2.37 million, authorities said. Like Rocklin before, the Land Trust approached the Loomis Council with a pitch for funds. The council considered a one-time contribution toward maintenance of the preserve July 8. Staff recommended any Clover contribution should come from the $245,000 oak tree fund instead of contingencies. "The tree fund would be an appropriate use for this project because it does the preservation of oak trees," said Town Manager Wes Heathcock. "Yes, this would preserve oak trees. On the other hand, that fund is not likely to grow much like it has in the past," Planning Commissioner Jean Wilson said from the floor. "Maintenance is an ongoing thing, and they don't have to have all their maintenance money, I presume, right now." "I concur with Commissioner Wilson's comments. I believe the money in the oak tree mitigation fund should benefit the town and should not go outside our municipality," said Sonia Cupler via Zoom. Cortez argued that many in town don't like big development on Loomis borders, so money toward the cause is completely consistent with overall town sentiments about surrounding growth. "I really think it's a lack of vision," said Cortez. "I definitely think we should bring this back and we should give money." "I'd be fine with putting it off to see what plays out," said Mayor David Ring, who thought fire mitigation is a justifiable reason to give. "I just think it's really not the right time yet," said Councilmember Jan Clark-Crets. "They really don't have it all finalized." "I do agree that it would probably be prudent at this point to commit to the idea, but not the dollar amount," said Councilmember Danny Cartwright. Without taking action, the council directed staff to study the access issue, ownership and fire protection mitigation costs.