Rezoning an area of land at the corner of Green Valley Road and Francisco Boulevard in El Dorado Hills (from residential use to commercial use) has some in the area up in arms.

Claire LeBaux lives in a subdivision near the area in question and said the impact to residents with increased traffic and noise would be detrimental and dangerous.

LeBaux lives off of Cambria Way, a small road that intersects at Francisco Drive. In the rezoning proposal, Cambria would become the access road to the 6.85 acre parcel that could include three commercial building plus parking.

“It was approved to hold 34 homes and that’s how the roads were approved,” she said. “What they are planning to do is put in a fast food restaurant with a play land, a drive through pharmacy and an office building as well.”

Due to the configuration of Green Valley Road, and the high-volume of traffic that uses the four-lane road daily, the access to and from the proposed commercial area would be Cambria.

“Traffic is a great concern – it’s number one,” LeBaux said. “We’ve done some research into this there are a couple of different standards for intersections to meet ASHTO requirements.”

ASHTO, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, is a standards setting body which publishes specifications, test protocols and guidelines which are used in highway design and construction throughout the United States.

LeBaux is concerned specifically with the stopping and site distances for traffic on Francisco Blvd. and feels that increased traffic, an estimated 3,300 vehicles per day, would make it unsafe to cross Francisco from either Cambria or Embarcadero which is directly to the east of Cambria.

“Theirs is barely adequate (distance) now if you are going the speed limit,” she said.

The residents of the area voiced their concerns and the El Dorado Planning Commission hears them.

Peter Maurer, principal planner for the county, said the matter was heard before the commission and will be continued for further study.

“It was continued to address some of the concerns raised by the residents in the area,” Maurer said. “Specifically he basic impact associated with the change of the land use from residential to commercial – more specifically potential traffic impact, noise and lighting.”

Maurer said the commission will look at those issues and the staff will do further analysis before moving forward.

The rezoning is part of the General Plan and the commission only makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, who ultimately have the final decision.