Amador County – A joint session of the Plymouth City Council and Planning Commission heard the latest news on the status of two residential developments in the city, which optimistically could be two years away from starting, and 10 years away from completion.

Bob Reeder of Reeder/Sutherland said that was the “goal,” to build out the two projects, with 485 homes, in 10 years, but they are fastened in the reality of the economy and housing market.

Stefan Horstschraer, partner with Reeder, said “our plan as it is today is to start building in 2013,” with work to begin first on the 370-home Zinfandel Subdivision, and two years later, the start of the Shenandoah Ridge Subdivision, with another 115 homes. The developers showed the rough sketch of the 10-phase Zinfandel, and the four-phase Shenandoah, and answered questions from the council and commissioners.

Councilman Jon Colburn said “we have been told previously that there would be a specific fiscal analysis of this,” and he asked about the status of that. City engineering consultant Richard Prima said it was not a document to approve separately, but would be a part of the development agreement and conditions of approval, both being looked at by Prima, and Interim City Manager Jeff Gardner.

Colburn said the analysis should show that the projects are not impacting current residents. Prima said it could be five years before they see any building, and it would be better to set up the mechanism for making that analysis, then get the actual numbers closer to the start of building, so costs are current, as opposed to five years old. He said “the developer has to agree with the city to do that.”

Colburn said City Attorney Mike Dean was scheduled to speak with the council next week about development agreements.

Prima said a chart of infrastructure phasing was one of the exhibits form the development plan, which may change, but which discloses the intent of phasing.

Stefan Horstschraer said it is all somewhat reality based and market driven,” and as Planning Commissioner Melvin Cossairt had said at the last public meeting, somewhat “Utopian” in its goal. He said the last market analysis was in 2009.

Reeder said: “That’s our goal to build out in 10 years.” He said: “A market analysis based on today’s market wouldn’t mean anything.”

He said: “Right now, the market analysis would say simply: Don’t start.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.