Sierra Club sues Placer County
Stephanie Takach
Issue date: 1/16/09 Section: News
According to Davis, Drexel called the Sierra Club about a year ago and told Drexel about the environmental concerns.
"[Drexel] did not give any indication that they shared those concerns," Davis said. "So it's real unfortunate that we had to file a lawsuit; we think there are better locations," he added.
The Drexel Sierra Club will strongly encourage Drexel's administration to build in an environmentally responsible manner, wherever the new campus may reside, according to Kelsey Gibbons, co-president of the Sierra Club.
"We feel that a thoughtful and thorough campus design could alleviate many of the problems mentioned (i.e. urban sprawl, traffic congestion and air pollution) before they even arise," Gibbons said.
Davis said there are more responsible locations for a university, such as within the cities of Roseville or Lincoln. Instead, the university is incorporated into new commercial and residential development in remote agricultural land.
"Placer County would love to get it, but we have to be more responsible," Davis said.
Although Drexel is not being sued directly, Davis said Drexel can have a role in the lawsuit.
"It is directed at the county but typically the land owners, the Angelo K. Tsakopoulos family, and interest groups will be most directly involved in negotiations," Davis said. "I'm sure that the Tsakopoulos family will be interested in hearing from Drexel if they have any concerns about the location."
Finley said Drexel is not a named party so they are not involved directly in the lawsuit.
If Drexel were to commit in writing to sustainable design and building on the Sacramento campus, such as LEED certification, the concerns of the national Sierra Club would be mitigated, according to Gibbons.
"Clearly the Sierra Club is concerned that the University will not expand in an ecologically responsible manner, and the easiest way to assure them otherwise would be to create an environmentally conscious design for the campus," she said. "Drexel has the ability to make an environmentally responsible campus from the start, and should seize this opportunity to impress the Sacramento community."
The next step in the process is a mandatory settlement conference. The Sierra Club will then explore whether or not to proceed further into serious settlement negotiations.
In California, it may take 12-18 months to reach a decision, according to Finley.
"[Drexel] did not give any indication that they shared those concerns," Davis said. "So it's real unfortunate that we had to file a lawsuit; we think there are better locations," he added.
The Drexel Sierra Club will strongly encourage Drexel's administration to build in an environmentally responsible manner, wherever the new campus may reside, according to Kelsey Gibbons, co-president of the Sierra Club.
"We feel that a thoughtful and thorough campus design could alleviate many of the problems mentioned (i.e. urban sprawl, traffic congestion and air pollution) before they even arise," Gibbons said.
Davis said there are more responsible locations for a university, such as within the cities of Roseville or Lincoln. Instead, the university is incorporated into new commercial and residential development in remote agricultural land.
"Placer County would love to get it, but we have to be more responsible," Davis said.
Although Drexel is not being sued directly, Davis said Drexel can have a role in the lawsuit.
"It is directed at the county but typically the land owners, the Angelo K. Tsakopoulos family, and interest groups will be most directly involved in negotiations," Davis said. "I'm sure that the Tsakopoulos family will be interested in hearing from Drexel if they have any concerns about the location."
Finley said Drexel is not a named party so they are not involved directly in the lawsuit.
If Drexel were to commit in writing to sustainable design and building on the Sacramento campus, such as LEED certification, the concerns of the national Sierra Club would be mitigated, according to Gibbons.
"Clearly the Sierra Club is concerned that the University will not expand in an ecologically responsible manner, and the easiest way to assure them otherwise would be to create an environmentally conscious design for the campus," she said. "Drexel has the ability to make an environmentally responsible campus from the start, and should seize this opportunity to impress the Sacramento community."
The next step in the process is a mandatory settlement conference. The Sierra Club will then explore whether or not to proceed further into serious settlement negotiations.
In California, it may take 12-18 months to reach a decision, according to Finley.
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