The Vision
Eagle Ranch will be a low density, environmentally sensitive residential development that reflects and builds upon the unique Atascadero rural landscape, and is consistent with the City’s General Plan.
- Greg & Jeff Smith
Greg and Jeff Smith Share Their Vision for Eagle Ranch
We want to honor the Atascadero legacy by preserving and enhancing the experience of living in the country. We see homes tucked around oak trees and looking into valleys where our cattle still run. The houses will be clustered, but with the assurance of individual privacy, views and access to open space. We envision architectural standards that encourage the use of natural materials, particularly those similar to what exists on the ranch. We encourage “green” building techniques and “green” planning principles. A variety of housing types will be offered to support the City’s General Plan requirements, with sizes ranging from 4,500 square foot lots to homes on five acres parcels to garden style apartments in the Ranch’s Village Center – ideal for seniors.
Our goal is to create a project that retains agricultural uses and offers trails and open space alongside a variety of residential options that range from small lots in a village center to larger rural lifestyle choices. All aspects of our project will be designed to reflect this vision. Infrastructure, particularly roads, will be designed to maintain a look and feel consistent with the Atascadero Colony.
Natural resources on the ranch create a rich tapestry that is critically important to us. Our family is negotiating with the Land Conservancy of SLO County to place a conservation easement on the bulk of the historic ranch in order to assure its permanent agricultural conservation. Although we plan to have trails and bike paths within the Specific Plan area, we also understand that access and preservation must be carefully balanced to preserve the rich natural resources.
We anticipate Eagle Ranch having a central community village area with amenities such as a post office, neighborhood serving businesses, a clubhouse/recreation center and a restaurant. We are pursuing the possibility of an equestrian center to serve the needs of residents and visitors. The equestrian center could include event facilities.
We understand and support the City of Atascadero’s interest in our creating a project that enhances the economy of Atascadero. We are exploring the possibility of including a hotel/spa in our project. City requirements regarding land use, density and housing are leading the Smiths to adjust development plans and accommodate requests including those of a mix of housing types and a second hotel to be located near the freeway and offer 200+ rooms along with meeting space. Even with project adjustment, the Smiths hope to retain roughly 70 – 80% percent of the ranch in permanent agricultural or open space.
We believe that whatever is built on the ranch must recognize and respect the fact that Eagle Ranch shares its boundaries with a national forest.
Eagle Ranch is a family legacy. We are committed to our vision for the future of the land and we welcome questions, comments and suggestions about it.
— Greg & Jeff Smith