Friday, 09 July 2010 06:22

Pine Acres Hearing Continues Tuesday

slide2-pine_acres_hearing_continues_tuesday.pngAmador County - An appeal hearing for the Pine Acres North subdivision project is scheduled to resume at the Board of Supervisors meeting next Tuesday after an all day discussion before a packed chamber last week. According to Lynn Morgan, Upcountry Community Council Chair, Supervisors opted to continue the hearing “ because they received so much additional information from the witnesses that they really needed some time to look through it and analyze it before they made a decision.” Morgan was among the scores who filled the chamber last week to hear more about the proposed project, to be located in the area of Tabeaud Road and Highway 88. Pine Acres residents Jerry and Kelly Trottier recently filed an appeal regarding the Amador County Planning Commission’s approval of the project, prompting consideration by the Board of Supervisors. Jerry Trottier previously told TSPN that one of the paramount reasons behind his decision to appeal is that in the case of a fast moving wildfire, he would have to exit down Tabeaud Road onto Highway 88. “With the density of the Pine Acres subdivision, it would make it more difficult to get onto Highway 88 from Tabeaud road,” he said, adding: “The situation is difficult now, and this would make it a lot worse.” As proposed, the development would create 90 units, including 66 single family lots, 3 four unit lots or “quadplexes,” and one 12 unit apartment complex on a total of 44 acres, or what Trottier describes as “an extremely high density.” Some units are proposed to be built on 1/5 of an acre or less. Trottier also says the developers plan to build additional tank storage a mile and half down Tabeaud Road, which in his opinion would cause closure of the road for an extended period of time due to construction. The vast majority of those in attendance last week seemed to agree with the Trottier’s concerns, and voiced their opinions during public comment over the course of over four hours. Supervisors were reportedly convinced that many valid issues were raised, and opted to continue the hearing without deciding whether to give a decision. Supervisor Ted Novelli said Thursday that the board was recently “sequestered by county counsel,” which disallows board members from speaking publicly about the issue. He said he personally would like more transparency, but for now encouraged concerned citizens to attend the continued hearing next Tuesday at the board chambers in Jackson. The official time was not available at the time this story was written. Pine Acres is proposed by Thomas Martin & Associates, a developer located in Folsom. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.