Amador County – Amador County Board of Supervisors last week discussed draft design review guidelines and ordinance, and ultimately decided to each make separate comments to the Planning Commission.
Supervisor Chairman John Plasse criticized the ordinance for being too unpredictable by having projects up to 10,000 square feet subject to the Planner or her designee. He said it was an example of overregulation that leads American businesses to sit on trillions of dollars in business reserves, rather than reinvest it. He said with the unpredictable review and oversight process, businesses are “less likely to put capital at risk.” Plasse gave kudos to the original planning drafters who built a 1-mile cushion around Daffodil Hill, and a half-mile from Volcano.
Supervisor Ted Novelli said one guideline for keeping utilities on upper floors and balconies and roofs might need a change, to allow utilities on the sides of buildings.
Plasse said “under landscaping there’s quite a few ‘shalls’.” Supervisor Brian Oneto criticized it too, saying: “What’s the point” of landscaping guidelines near the Boral plant and Carbondale. Planner Nathan Lishman said guidelines are intended to be flexible, but removing some language would “dilute the effectiveness.”
Susan Bragstad, speaking for Foothill Conservancy, said the organization supported guidelines and liked “what you’re doing” but “you need to fine-tune it.” She agreed they need different guidelines for Sutter Gold Mine – maybe a historic corridor – but needs were different around the “clay pits.” She said “historic corridors need support.”
Former County Planning Commissioner Brian Jobson said the discussion raised some key points that need to be brought out and cleared up. He said it would be made clear when people follow a checklist or “score card,” proposed in the guidelines. He said if that was followed, projects would be ready to go and there would “not be exceeding reviews of uncertainty.”
Jobson said relaxing guidelines in the industrial corridor is a great idea, but asked why the Highway 49 corridor was not included. Plasse said the 49 corridor was defined as the area between Central House and Sutter Creek. Jobson said it “needs to be from the Cosumnes River to Sutter Creek,” because the corridor’s value.
Keith Sweet urged passage of the ordinance and guidelines to protect historic areas. He said “today is a watershed moment for the community.” Kathy Allen agreed, saying “people want to preserve history and culture” and the guidelines would help do that.
Plasse said his jewelry business was in a hotel complex in beautiful downtown Folsom. He said some businesses prospered, while others “lost their butts.” He said sometimes it just depends on peoples’ ability to manage their business.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
