Pacific Union College today unveiled dramatic changes to the Angwin Eco-Village at community meetings, eliminating 200 housing units, including an entire neighborhood envisioned in earlier versions of the project. 

PUC Board President Underscores Commitment to the Project as an “Economically and Environmentally Responsible Strategy” to Secure the College’s Future

Pacific Union College today unveiled dramatic changes to the Angwin Eco-Village at community meetings, eliminating 200 housing units, including an entire neighborhood envisioned in earlier versions of the project.  The revised proposal removes all housing from agriculturally zoned land and confines it to land already designated for residential and urban development.

“No one should doubt the Trustees’ commitment to fulfilling their moral and legal obligations by using college-owned land in an economically and environmentally responsible way to ensure the future of this institution,” said Thomas J. Mostert, Jr., President, Pacific Union College Board of Trustees.  “These design changes demonstrate yet again how PUC is listening to the community and sharing information about the Eco-Village.”

The Eco-Village is envisioned as a small, compact planned community.  About 90 percent of PUC’s privately owned 1,900 acres is preserved in the plan.  Currently, 150 acres are devoted to the campus, and the remainder of PUC’s property is largely undeveloped agricultural and forestlands. Highlights of the new Eco-Village design include:

• Reduction of housing units from 591 to 391.  Eco-Village units will be sited on land designated for planned development and include single-family housing, cottages, townhouses and flats.
• Elimination of the previously proposed “Farm Neighborhood” of 145 housing units on ag-zoned land near the airport.
• No net loss of agricultural land. Seventy acres will be dedicated to locally grown food instead of 100 to reduce initial and ongoing costs.
• Sustainable features such as solar power for new homes and businesses, and water conservation, recycling and treatment measures to ensure ample water supplies.
• Village Square retail, dining and professional office, and a new teen/community center.
• Additional traffic circulation and safety improvements and a transportation center are included.
• A site has been made available for a new facility for Angwin’s private schools, while public schools will receive additional funding as required by law, and contributions will be made to the local fire department.
  

“The Eco-Village concept reflects the healthy lifestyle principals and goals which form the foundation of our faith-based college,” said Dr. Richard Osborn, President, PUC.  “This small project represents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to create a community with an unparalleled commitment to sustainability, social equity and environmental preservation.”

PUC is a Seventh-day Adventist liberal arts institution with about 1,500 students, located in the Howell Mountain area of Napa Valley.  Funds from the project will increase the college’s endowment as part of a long-term financial strategy to secure a strong future for the institution.  PUC’s endowment will be invested to grow income and to improve facilities, provide new student and faculty housing, fund student scholarships, and offer more competitive academic and staff salaries.

“PUC is currently under-endowed and therefore vulnerable to the same long-term trends that are threatening the future of many small liberal arts colleges,” said Mr. Mostert.  “This is smart financial planning.  It is vital that the College utilize some of its land to enhance its endowment.  The Trustees are committed to acting now to ensure that the College is able to effectively carry on its mission.”

PUC will hold a yet another community meeting on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 in Paulin Hall auditorium to seek further community input before it files an initial project application with Napa County.  Following that, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Report will be conducted to study items such as transportation, water, sewer and other required elements.