Next Target for Developers: Black Creek

Underscores need for 20 acre minimum Parcel Ordinance

The Black Creek portion of Lake Tulloch is now in the sights of numerous developers who want to continue the dense development along the lake shore which over the years has had a cumulative impact on the lake. This section of the lake includes a 66 acre parcel of cattle land. 

The parcel is immediately adjacent to the Peninsula Estates.  

Cove on 66 acre parcel and Lake Shore:
The Next Conner Estates Type Development?

Click here for larger of photos

The Lake Tulloch Alliance has learned that a 66 acre parcel of land is now up for sale on the loake. One developer several years ago had thought about developing the above cove and lake shore into a highly dense project with a boat ramp that would allow access to hundreds of more houses in his project. Some of the land afronts O'Byrnes Ferry Road.

There are also reports that several developers are planning to jointly purchase ten 20 acre parcles farther back in the undeveloped Black Creek section of Lake Tulloch. This is the one undisturbed section of the lake filled with wild life and has remained untouched. Last year another home builder toured the area announcing his interest in building 1,000 homes in the Black Creek section 

These Black Creek 20 acre parcels are now up for sale at $1,500,000 to 2,500,000 or more so the property owners will substantially profit from the land that only has value because the public paid for the creation of the lake in 1957. Without the lake, the property would be worth just a fraction of their current asking prices. Also, the 20 acre lots were never rezoned by the county from agricultural land but rather there was a lot line adjustment that created the lots. Therefore, the creation of these parcels was never subject to any environmental or planning analysis or laws.   

Need for 20 Acre Minimum for Future Lake Front Lots  

The Lake Tulloch Alliance supports a 20 acre minimum for all new lots created on the lake with a 200 foot set back from the lake's shoreline.  The potential for a major development of this area underscores the need for Calaveras County to adopt a policy of a 20 acre minimum for future lots on the lake. Tuolumne County is requiring even larger lot sizes. 

Actually, all of the lots are not actually 20 acres but have substantial portions underwater. The Lake Tulloch Alliance believes that if a developer were given permission to develop this beautiful land, it would be disastrous for the long term future of the lake. It also underscores the need for a "redo" of the entire County General Plan. 

Some of the lots have already been purchased with the plans by the owner to build a single home consistent with existing zoning. This policy will limit the ecological damage this environmentally sensitive part of the lake. We have already witnessed the destruction of wetlands in all recently developed projects on the lake despite requirement for their protection by agencies at all levels.