Addressing Impacts

Ridgewood Village will pay its own way. We will be addressing our own impacts through the County's Environmental Impact Report process and a development agreement. Ridgewood Village is one of the first developments in Humboldt County to embrace per-parcel impact fees to mitigate the effects — traffic, sewer, police, fire and schools — that the project has on the community. An assessment district limited to the project area is also a possibility. The intent of these fees is for the people living in Ridgewood Village to pay for infrastructure improvements needed because of their presence.

For example, Ridgewood Village has proposed to fund construction of a significant portion of a much-needed regional wastewater solution.

The County, through its environmental impact report process, is studying the nature of future impacts, including impacts of broader regional growth. Ridgewood Village encourages the community to strengthen the planning process by expressing itself to the County and to us about current problems and future concerns regarding the Cutten area, and to propose constructive ideas.

Preserving Trees along Ridgewood Drive

In response to neighbor suggestions, Ridgewood Village is now planning for the retention of much of the trees along the street border of Ridgewood Drive. We will continue to work with neighbors and planning staff to create a visual buffer.

A Firm "No" to Big Boxes and "Yes" to Lessening Traffic

The families involved in the joint venture are on record opposing bringing a "big box" business such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot or Costco to the Cutten area. Our neighborhood commercial development will be oriented toward bookstores, entertainment, professional offices, coffeehouses, restaurants, neighborhood markets, small shops and other places for people to mix and mingle in their neighborhood. An added benefit will be a reduction in vehicle use that would otherwise occur if the businesses didn't exist. They will lessen the need for residents in the project area and neighboring areas to drive outside the region to receive services.

Job Creation

Ridgewood Village will provide obvious job growth and retention benefits for the entire region.