Stratford Manor-CS 970324Citizen concern: We want input to the proposal for the Versailles sub-division. Realizing that public
comment is unusual as the DRC phase begins, we appeal to city staff because the Brentwood development
consortium stated last night that it, represented by Bob Delsanter. will not meet with several homeowners.
As homeowners of Cambridge Manor we ask that the staff evaluate (a) inclusion of a greenbelt along the
Edward's property to extend south from Denton Creek along the property line to DeForest Road, and (b)
entry into Prince Charles road from DeForest. The reasons for this are:
1. Edward's forest is/was represented as an inducement to buy in Cambridge Manor. Prospective
homeowners in '95 and '96 were told by BrenB¥ood. Watson builders, and/or Jack Bommerito, working
for Cambridge Manor at the time. that the sub-di¥ision concept is homes-surrounded-by-green. This
concept included entry, pond (flood catch basin), Denton Creek and a greenbelt between the,next phase of
the sub-division, along the Edward's propem,.'. Old aerial photos will show Edward's heavily forested,
unlike land to the east: even today, Edward's is unusually attractive and full of wildlife. Many
homeowners bought here because of the feature of trees and urban wildlife habitat. In 1996, Mr.
Bommerito explained that he "had already had conversations with city planning staff about constructing a
greenbelt." To this da)'. Brentwood's Delsanter and Haydocy, show with pride the lush trees behind the
homes to prospective buyers of Edward's property line homes.
2. We delayed communication to the city because we were misled by Brentwood and Bommerito.
- On Tuesday night, March 18, Mr. Jack Bommerito, now also a consultant to Versailles,
explained to our four homeowners representatives that a greenbelt would be in the plat plan when it was
submitted to the City on Wednesday, March 19; the greenbelt, however, was not on the plat.
- Bob Delsanter. of Brentwood, told a family, on Thursday night, March 20, that the plat
submitted was preliminary, and "not to worry;" a greenbelt would be included. However, with another
resident, later that evening, Mr. Delsanter, boasted that the plat is as stands, there is a lot of"big money"
behind the project. Brentwood consortium, he said, will not meet with the citizens of Cambridge
.Manor to discuss adding a greenbelt to the plat. He stated that if there is to ever be a green belt, it will
be because the cit.,,' has asked for it, not because the consortium asked for it. Mr. Delsanter's version
of the greenbelt seems to change depending on to whom he speaks.
3. Brentwood doesn't demonstrate leadership in accord with Coppeil's "tree and heritage values,"
In fact. they demonstrate the opposite. We already have high tree loss in the Brentwood lot fronts in Phase
II: we request that a tree plat as well as a PD designation for Versailles. Also, Brentwood, in conjunction
with Beamer Development. have avoided tree restoration of the flood pond landscape in Cambridge
Manor: as shown on original cid· documents; see attached. Developers and builders in The Woodlands and
The Peninsula conserved trees; why not require Versailles, also???
4. Some city employees seem predisposed to lack of a greenbelt. A city engineering employee on the
Edward's property Wednesday, March 19, told a resident that all the trees will be Rone through the fill
process or cut down. and casually that, "we'd should get used to it." Surely this echoes his superiors.
Note: We also do not understand why a zoning request sign has not been placed on DeForest Road yet.
Recommendation: We propose a 60' eastside greenbelt suitable for maintaining wildlife habitat and
preserving parts of this old forest. Sixty feet is the national minimum guideline for greenbelt forest habitat.
We ask a balanced approach of city staff., and that the)' adhere to the spirit of our Tree City USA
designation at the April 3 review with the Brentwood consortium. It is more efficient to conserve trees
than to replace them. We believe Brentwood should be true to its word to citizens who already have
invested in Coppell.
We are not disputing the Brentwood consortium's right to build on the property, only that a balance be
struck between economic profit and long term town beauT. Would you meet with our home owner
represematives in the Development Review stage of this plat submission Tuesday or Thursday am?
'1'o: Mr. Gar3.' Sieb, Planning and Zoning 304-3570 March 24. 1997
From: Jeanette Auerbach 304-3335
Re: Versailles Plat before DRC
c: q/Jim Witt, City Manager
Clay Phillips, Deputy City Manager
Tom Morton, Mayor
City Council Members