Wednesday, 11 July 2007 01:51

Sutter Creek Planning Commission, July 9th, 2007

The Sutter Creek Planning Commission met Monday night despite the fact that the Community Center was without power. The agenda items were cut short as two public hearings were removed at the request of the applicants, leaving the Tentative Parcel Map No. 2639 for Les Brusatori the sole action item. Commissioner Robin Peters stated he had a confliction of interest and stepped outside during this agenda item.

slide45The Planning Commission had previously approved the Parcel Map on February 14, 2005, with the approval for 4 single family residential lots ranging in size from 7,700 square feet to 8,300 square ft. The Subdivision Map Act states a tentative map is valid for a period of 24 months, though local jurisdictions may increase the time period for no more than 12 months, leaving a total of 36 months. Because of confusion in regards to the Subdivision Map Act and Title 17, Les Brusatori was informed that his map was valid for 36 months so an extension was not requested. In fact, the map expired on February 14, 2007 as opposed to the applicants understood date of February 14, 2008 date. There were not any changes to the maps since their approval in 2005, however two conditions of approval were added. This included a condition which stated “prior to recordation of the first final map, the project shall annex into the County of Amador Communities Facilities District to fund additional costs associated with fire protection services for the new development.” And also “the project applicant shall form or annex into a Community Facilities District street maintenance assessment district of other financing district or will provide a similar funding mechanism which is acceptable to the City of Sutter Creek to fund the project’s fair share of ongoing roadway maintenance”.

Though there were some questions concerning condition # 17 such as what exactly was meant by a funding mechanism and who would decide the rates, the conditions ended up being approved as was the parcel map with the 24 month period beginning on the 9th of July. Also during the meeting on Monday night the Tree Ordinance underwent an update.  It was stated that parcels within the city limits would not qualify as oak woodlands, although the Planning Commission recommended to re-do the survey using state standards (10%) as opposed to the 30% standard staff used for the last survey. The Historic Preservation Ordinance update included staff presenting Rob Duke with a budget with 90 days to respond and a public workshop will be set up in the near future. There will also be a workshop in regards to the Sign Ordinance, though staff would like to have a draft document out for a few weeks before said workshop allowing individuals to become familiar with it beforehand. The workshop will be scheduled in the next month and a half roughly. And just a reminder the July 16th Sutter Creek City Council Meeting will be a joint meeting with the Sutter Creek Planning Commission the meeting will be discussion only and will be a workshop on the Gold Rush Project Update.