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Real close, but no cigar. Perhaps a bit of subconscious admission and/or confession by the property owner?—

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I saw the advertisement photo on the LAKE DON PEDRO REALTY website under land listings (Harry Alfier owner, of both the real estate business and the particular property for sale) and immediately recognized the view. The ad’s narrative confirmed the location: 10098 Alamo Drive (where this 1,600 foot long developer convenience road starts – diagonally crosses another owner’s property {making it virtually impossible to  construct a home due to the required septic and building setbacks-residential construction you will recall is the primary purpose of all subdivision lots}, makes a sharp right turn OVER a P&E Trail, then runs up the hill (does not even remain on the underlying non exclusive easement that was filed AFTER the FINAL SUBDIVISION MAP was approved by the County of Mariposa)  to a boxed-in dead end without any form of a safety notice) also known as Lot 1149 and APN 21-70-0270.

PLEASE REVIEW THE VIDEO REGARDING THIS “LARGE ASPHALT SEMI-PRIVATE DRIVEWAY”:

{NOTE: The recreation trailer observed in the above video that was placed on the property by Mr. Alfier was eventually removed.}

QUESTION: Have these custom home plans (that will so generously be furnished as part of the proposed property sale) ever been approved by the County of Mariposa?

ANSWER: No. Called Mariposa County building department and confirmed no plans have been approved or even filed regarding a residence on this property.

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This is a confusing statement because the authorities have previously advised a driveway serves only one or two properties, whereas an actual road is required to serve more than two, as in this case where several other properties along the road to be served were owned by the Deerwood Corporation. (Which modified and asphalt paved this dangerous excuse for a road that looks more like a golf cart path.)

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QUESTION: Has this “semi-private driveway” (ROAD) been approved by any department of the County of Mariposa, CAL-FIRE, and the LDPOA (Lake Don Pedro Owners’ Association) as legal access for multiple residential properties?

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What about the CAL-FIRE issues regarding using public firefighting equipment on such SRA (State Responsibility Area) noncompliant roadways? (Six roadway public safety violations– see above video for listings.)

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Will taxpayer resources be required for a future rescue operation?

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Why isn’t that P&E (Pedestrian & Equestrian) trail, which runs “under” the asphalt roadway and through the property which is for sale, marked as a public trail? (There was a sign indicating such but it mysteriously disappeared – imagine that.)

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Surely a potential purchaser will be advised of this important fact? A public horse trail on and adjacent to a proposed home site that was originally planned to be approximately 10 feet from this P&E Trail!

This asphalt paved turn is located over a dedicated County Pedestrian-Equestrian Trail – can you imagine a huge fire truck attempting to negotiate this turn during an emergency?   County Ordinance 950 states no motor vehicles on such trails, how did this happen?

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I am very curious as to what sort of items might be listed on a known disclosure notice.

Contacted Mariposa County Planning Department but they do not become involved in such matters until AFTER building plans have actually been filed. So, the old expression, Caveat emptor, or buyer beware, is sage advice for any substantial investment and a property with a “million dollar view” is no different. Did this million dollar view take into consideration all the past legal fees in its professed calculation of value?

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Heck, a buyer may not learn of any inability to build (if there is such inability) until after the property transfer is complete – that is, without some due diligence on their part or a detailed known disclosure notice prior to purchase. Must a seller advise a potential buyer of these issues? I really don’t know, but in all fairness it would seem they would.

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Such dangerous roads can greatly increase the value of difficult to develop properties by negating the necessity of constructing a legitimate driveway but who actually pays for this added value?

Should state or county fire personnel (or any first responder) be required to risk their lives for the sake of increased real estate profits because of an enhanced view of Yosemite and Lake Don Pedro without the traditional costs?

THE BIG QUESTION: Harry Alfier has repeatedly stated it was his 40 year old dream to build a house on this lot, so why doesn’t he use his own custom home plans and “semi-private driveway”  to do so – as he suggests someone else could in the advertisement?

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-My best to you and yours, Lew