This letter is in regards to the full-page ad of the Bohemia retail project in last Sunday’s (Aug. 22) paper.

Long ago the Placer County planners approved the area for a retail center, along with the Placer County Planning Commission and supervisors.

They also approved the residential area next to this project.

If we’re not going to follow the planning decisions, then we should eliminate the planning department, planners and planning commissioners and convert the planning department building into affordable housing.

Mr. (Jim) Conkey bought this property, which was zoned for a shopping center, which means that he has the constitutional right to build it.

All the money that he has spent on hearings, EIR reports and traffic studies is a waste. The money could have been spent to enhance the shopping center.

As the area grows, so the commercial areas grow.

It’s nuts to drive 40 miles round-trip to do your shopping, when it can be done near home.

Mr. Conkey has the ace high card in his hand. It’s called private property rights and it will be interesting to see how he plays the rest of his cards.

FRANK E. ZIEGELMANN, Colfax