Developers, real estate groups and the construction lobby are Garrett Gatewood and Donald Terry’s top political donors
For months a coalition of Rancho Cordova nature-lovers has been trying to protect the city’s last unspoiled haven along the American River – some 40 acres of grassy, oak-studded wildlife shelter with captivating ties to history and some of the oldest Native American burial sites in the region. If they win, this pastoral property along the brushy shoreline could become a park or learning center. If they lose, it will become 244 tract houses, 24 of which will block one of the most picturesque river views in all of Sacramento.
Even in a county where cash-flushed developers have historically often prevailed in similar showdowns, Rancho Cordova’s community has had some reason for optimism. In mid-February, a citizen backlash in Elk Grove convinced that city’s planning commission to essentially cancel an embattled $800 million hospital project that was slated for the edge of the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. It was an outcome that was seen by many as an example of residents, conservationists and small business owners coming together to protect an area they cared about. That’s offered hope for safeguarding Rancho Cordova’s natural jewel, known as the Kassis property.
But there’s also reason for locals to have concern: Unlike Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova does not have a planning commission. The vote on the future of the Kassis property will be taken directly by its city council; and a review of campaign finance disclosures shows that two of the council’s members – Mayor Garrett Gatewood and Vice Mayor Donald Terry – have taken sizable monetary contributions from the would-be developer of the property, as well as tens of thousands of dollars from allied industry groups.
“I think it’s unethical for them to take those contributions,” said resident Helen Whelan Bashaw. “We can’t get a fair shake – money talks.”
The fact that the Kassis property, which is private property with a public easement so that nature enthusiasts can stroll along it, was even zoned to allow residential development largely came as a shock in Rancho Cordova. For years it had been zoned for agricultural use. That meant its open fields and oak canopy acted as habitat to numerous wildlife species, particularly birds. And there was another distinction that made people assume it couldn’t be touched: It’s part of a basin where archeologists have unearthed a Native American village, numerous native skeletons that were reinterred there under tribal supervision, as well as the remains of a 3,500-year-old traveler who is oldest known human ever discovered in Rancho Cordova. While the remains that were found were re-buried in the protection of a neighbor’s property, experts believe the village site extends into the area where developers would be running bulldozers and uprooting trees. The idea that any part of the basin was vulnerable was simply unthinkable to many who live in the surrounding neighborhood.
But then a Kansas City-based company called TruMark began sending out mailers stating it intended to buy the Kassis property and build the land out with a major project. Only then did many residents learn the property had been quietly re-zoned back in 2013.
Rancho Cordova’s planning department is currently conducting an environmental review of TruMark’s proposal, including its plan to destroy most of the land’s 335 trees. Once the study is completed, the city council will vote on a verdict. Councilman David M. Sanders has reportedly told constituents he plans to recuse himself because he lives right by the Kasiss property. But for more and more residents, the bigger question is whether Terry and Gatewood will recuse themselves.
According to financial disclosures, last August, well after TruMark announced its proposal, Terry accepted a $2,000 campaign contribution from the company. Records show that in the last two years Terry has also accepted $34,500 from other developers and real estate special interest groups. TruMark’s monetary contribution to Gatewood came last February in the form of a $1,000 check. Records show that in the last two years Gatewood has accepted $23,800 from other developers and real estate special interest groups. Additionally, both Terry and Gatewood have taken thousands of dollars in contributions from regional construction companies and builders’ unions.
Terry and Gatewood did not respond to interview requests for this story.
Their ongoing silence is on the matter has not gone over well with some in the city.
“I have some deep concerns about the Kassis development as it stands and the sneaky, underhanded way this has proceeded without community involvement,” a resident named Anna V. recently wrote to City Hall (her last name is being withheld because of her place of employment). “This is not the representation I have come to expect from my elected officials and people who are being paid to represent me within the city of Rancho Cordova … I have learned of generous donations to city officials have been made by TruMark and others connected to this development. Any city council member who has received these donations needs to return them and recuse themselves from any voting on this project.”
Whelan Bashaw agrees.
“How can they make an unbiased decision on this?” she said of Terry and Gatewood. “They’re really not looking out for the future of our children.”
This is going to continue in Rancho and elsewhere as long as land speculators (AKA “developers”) can buy ag land for a few thousand dollars, then re-sell it to builders for 50 – 100 times what they paid for it. That 5,000% – 10,000% profit is called the “unearned increment.” BTW, these figures, are no exaggeration.
The late Grantland Johnson once told a roomful of constituents that it’s widely acknowledged throughout the state that the Sacramento region and its governments are the most in the “hip pocket” of the developers. I’d suggest this isn’t a contest we want to win.
Meanwhile, the solution is extremely simple. In Germany, developers have to buy the outlying ag land, then sell it to the local government at the ag land price. They then have to re-purchase it at the development-approved price. All the unearned increment inures to the benefit of the public. And German infrastructure is first rate. Their colleges are free (even for foreigners), and the arts budget for just the City of Berlin exceeds the U.S.’ National Endowment for the Arts.
Thank you Scott Thomas Anderson for writing this informative article! People need to know the conflict of interest happening with their City Council members. Rancho Cordova needs a planning commission. We care about the natural habitat and hope this project does not happen.
We need affordable houseing frist
Affordable housing is not what this will be – and affordable housing can be build upward – not rip up virgin (or almost virgin) land. Lots of empty commercial areas that could be razed and built on for affordable housing.
The City has already acknowledged none of the 41 acres is needed to fulfill stated housing requirements. Also the proposed housing in the 20 acres of the American River floodplain is not “affordable” housing. People need homes and also the quality of life we all enjoy from access to genuine open spaces, embracing our local heritage and preserving the American River. Other areas within the city are available to meet housing needs and allow the City of Rancho Cordova to continue to strive to be a first class forward looking city. We can meet the needs of our inhabitants and preserve the river’s natural beauty appreciated by every ethnic, religious and age group in our community. Consider the possibility!
So last Fall before elections, I called all those running for City Counsel of Rancho where I live. What is finally being exposed in this article is what I found to be true in my conversations with each candidate. Those for the for the development were on the “payroll” of the developers. My vote was against them, but “you can’t beat city hall”. Disgusting and so disappointing.
City councilors of the city of rancho cordova are paving (literally) its way into the history books as the most failed city in the Sacramento region. No planning commission? Are you serious? Also they have a despicable pro cop public relations campaign through their communications department, they started this right after a 14 year old was beaten by a sheriff. Yes the development and the police violent are related, both point to how entitled and totally disconnected from the community they are. Staffers do what they are told by the City councilors and most are contractors anyways so are just waiting to be moved onto the next job. Any plans they write are plans written by consultants paid by the city that would never evaluate NOT in their favor. It’s corruption, the very definition.