Amador County – A group of 12 members of the public, including Jackson Vice Mayor Keith Sweet, Sutter Creek Mayor Tim Murphy, and a former Amador County Planning Commissioner, last week filed an appeal with the Amador County Planning Commission for its action to lift certain design guidelines from the McDonald’s restaurant in Martell for a proposed exterior remodel.

Amador County Planner Cara Augustin said the Planning Department received an appeal from a group of 12 individuals, not representing any one group, who pooled together to pay the $364 appeal fee. The group, which filed the appeal with the Amador County Board of Supervisors last Thursday, Sept. 15, included former Amador County Planning Commissioner Brian Jobson, Susan Jobson; Keith and Gail Sweet; Tim and Jill Murphy; Renee Chapman; John Luy; Martin Gates; Paul and Kathy Hansch; and Sandi Baracco.

The filing, signed by Keith Sweet and Brian Hobson, said: “We are appealing the decision of the Planning Commission to rescind a condition of the use permit for McDonald’s in Martel.”

It said “this condition required use of natural materials (stone and wood) on the building exterior and also use of only earth tone colors. We wish to retain and improve the scenic quality and historic character of Amador County.”

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