Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council on Monday approved a letter of protest to be sent to the Amador County Board of Supervisors for the Amador Planning Commission’s lifting of conditions of approval on the Martell McDonald’s restaurant, and noted that it supports an appeal of that action.

Sutter Creek took issue with Amador Planning Commission’s lifting of design conditions for McDonald’s in Martell, including requirements to have earth tones in the building’s exterior paint, and required use of natural material finishes such as wood and rock for construction.

The council approved a letter to be signed by Mayor Tim Murphy and sent to the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission, for the Commission’s actions on the issue last week. Murphy’s letter, dated Monday, Sept. 19, said the Planning Commission at its Sept. 13 meeting “removed some of the architectural conditions of approval originally placed on the Martell McDonald’s restaurant.”

The letter said: “Specifically, action was taken to remove the requirements related to use of earth tones and native exterior rock and wood finishes, making way for a new corporate standard design.”

Murphy’s letter said the “Sutter Creek City Council feels that this action was a mistake. The current design and conditions of approval of the project were the result of extensive public input and close collaboration between the public, the planning commission and the applicant.”

The letter said: “If the current facility is to be redesigned it should be done so in a manner which is consistent with our local heritage. The applicant, the public and the planning commission have an opportunity to work together to develop a project which we can all be proud of.”

The letter said “Sutter Creek City Council feels very strongly that the proposed conversion of the existing facility into a bright red, white and yellow building would be a step backward in our County’s continuing efforts to retain and in some cases, regain the unique local character we all value.”

Murphy’s letter said: “An appeal of the Planning Commission’s action has been filed and will be coming before you soon. Please consider this letter as support of that appeal.”

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