Eagle Ranch: A New Vision
Eagle Ranch is a 3,457-acre working cattle ranch located adjacent to the city of Atascadero. It is owned by members of the Smith Family, a longtime ranching family in SLO and Ventura Counties.
In 2005, brothers Greg and Jeff Smith and their planning consultant, RRM Design, introduced a proposal to the community that included housing, a village commercial center, resort hotel and retention of 70% of the land in permanent open space.
In the months since, the Smiths and RRM have participated in 16 different meetings and hundreds of conversations to hear neighbor concerns and comments to refine a plan that is financially feasible and maintains the Smiths’ desire to keep 70 percent of the property in open space while addressing neighborhood issues.
From the beginning, the Smiths have committed to an open and inclusive review process that is respectful of the neighbors and the community. The result is a vastly different, downsized proposal that is now making its way through the City review process.
Click here to view PowerPoint presentation detailing the Eagle Ranch proposal (Large file, may take a moment)
From E.G. Lewis to Present Day
When E.G. Lewis first established the Atascadero Colony in 1914, the Eagle Ranch property was subdivided into 452 lots intended for future development. In the June 2002 City General Plan Update, the property was identified as future expansion area for the city of Atascadero. Instead of developing the existing lots along existing dedicated roads, the owners are proposing creation of a new reconfigured Specific Plan for the development area. The Specific Plan will provide a blueprint for future development, including the City’s request that the Smiths include an area for a freeway frontage commercial use (likely to be a conference hotel).
The Smith Family vision for Eagle Ranch reflects the family’s ties to this land and assures that when executed, Eagle ranch will be an environmentally friendly development.
Project Updates
The City Council voted 5-0 to move forward with the latest design proposal and begin an Environmental Impact Report for the the proposed project.
This City meeting offered representatives of the Atascadero City Council and Planning Commission to review the Smith Family’s updated proposal, receive public comment from neighbors and other interested attendees, and address questions about the project.
The neighborhood workshop featured group discussion tables to gather input from residents and civic leaders on project details of interest. Discussion included traffic, safety, interchanges and character.
This City meeting provided an update on the project proposal and the opportunity for residents and City leaders to offer comments ask questions and discuss the project in general. See press room (link) news stories for additional information.
This meeting was open to the public and focused upon discussion of comments raised at the prior Planning Commission Workshop held 11/15/2011. Topics discussed included: lot sizes and locations (including perimeter lots), overall density, farm animals, affordable housing, connection to surrounding streets and schools.
The most recent version of the Eagle Ranch concept site plan, roads plans, conceptual site plans for the Resort, Village Center, Highway Commercial area, trails systems (bicycle, pedestrian and equestrian) and open space were presented. Lot sizes and lot locations were presented. In addition locations of potential connections to surrounding streets were presented.
The September 25, 2008 Eagle Ranch community meeting included an Instant Poll exercise. Nearly 100 attendees responded to project questions by voting with handheld electronic devices. The results of that survey are summarized in the attached pdf.
View Survey Results (PDF file – 604k)