Silver Oaks Estates clears first hurdle with
conditional OK on environmental study
On Sept. 23, the 57-unit Silver Oaks residential development planned for the old Yolanda Estate/Hurd Ranch in Clayton will go to the Planning Commission for public comment on the environmental of the project.
Silver Oaks Estates, a 59-unit residential development proposed by Clyde Miles Construction/A.D. Seeno Company for the 14-acre Yolanda Estate, also known locally as the Hurd Ranch, has been given an environmental clean bill of health by the city of Clayton provided certain conditions are met. The property runs along Oakhurst Blvd. between the golf course and Lydia Lane Park.
The development, consisting of 52 two- and three-story condo town homes and seven single family homes received a Mitigated Negative Declaration in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act as long as the creek, wildlife and woodlands are protected.
The developer must keep 8 ½ acres as open space which includes a required 6 ½ -acre Habitat Conservation Easement with specific protections for red legged frogs and raptor nests. The remaining two acres are green belt and recreation areas.
The project calls for the removal of 118 of the 302 trees on the property. The developer must submit an acceptable tree replacement plan before the city will approve the project.
Currently, the only historic buildings on the site are a few outbuildings and a bath house that were part of the original Yolanda Estate. The historic home burned down in 2009. All of the buildings will be demolished and removed.
The town homes will be located at the east end of the property nearest the Oakhurst golf course. The seven single family homes will be at the gated entrance of Lydia Lane.
The town homes will run from 1155 to 1320 sq. ft. with 24 of them backing up to open space. Six of the town homes are set aside for low and very low income in compliance with the city’s affordable housing mandate.
The single family homes will sit on lots ranging from 4,785 to 9,500 square feet.
The public will have an opportunity to weigh in on the environmental report at a public hearing on Sept. 23 and for 30 days following the hearing. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration is available on the city’s website a. The Public Hearing is Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Clayton Community Library.