DONNER SUMMIT DAYDREAMS

It's a pleasant exercise, when bogged down by the sheer magnitude of Royal Gorge LLC's development plans, to imagine what the Summit could look like if any future development  was  actually directed in a way to preserve and enhance the granite hard, but butterfly fragile beauty of Donner Summit. Imagine a developer came in, and really listened to the needs of the present community, instead of chasing the highest rate of return. What would the Donner Summit look like then?

Let's start with Highway 40- the first transcontinental highway, built on the backbone of the old emigrant trail.  When Highway 80 was constructed, businesses that lined 40 began a slow withering on the vine, with now only the very hardy remaining. Wouldn't it be a wise rural version of infill, that is, developing areas with pre-existing infrastructure, including roads, to concentrate building along Highway 40, giving a boost to loyal, stalwart businesses, and perhaps encouraging and supporting new, vibrant businesses, and ease of transit? That would be a win-win, from the perspective of most Summit denizens.

Consider also Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort, now probably doomed to the banality of "ski trails" engulfed by condos, and townhomes larger than most average houses.  What if, instead, a developer sought to rebuild the fabled Wilderness Lodge, perhaps on a larger scale, but in a manner that respected the austere beauty of the ski resort? I imagine most locals would welcome a really classy, area appropriate hotel, and would consider it an enhancement to the community. What if cross country skiing actually remained the center of attention, instead of being relegated to being an "amenity", along with artificial lakes, equestrian centers, and private clubs, all designed to entice dollars out of baby boomers' pockets?

Think too about Serena Creek,  a small, but essential stream that supports a wide variety of wildlife- beavers, willow flycatchers, pacific fishers, with rare Ceanothus  plants clinging to its canyon walls.  Instead of proposing a quarter mile wide, 60 to 70 foot dam, destroying the creek and habitat for wildlife, and blocking critical migratory passage, what if a developer sought to protect and preserve that creek, aware of its importance to the North Fork of the American River?

Daydreams? Unrealistic? Actually, no, as Royal Gorge LLC has to seek changes to Placer County's general plan in order to build their planned development. Perhaps if Donner Summit wakes up to the fact it's not too late to push for development that is aimed at preserving the beauty of the Summit, rather than at maximizing return on the developer's dollar, we'll have growth that really is "smart", and that respects the residents' strong feelings for Donner Summit.