Amador County – Supporters of an annexation bid by the city of Plymouth last week said the town needs the boost that the Zinfandel and Shenandoah Ridge residential developments could bring.

During public comment at the Amador Local Agency Formation Commission meeting last week, (Thursday, Dec. 15), several people spoke in support, including Rick Sanders of Fiddletown, who said he is involved in community service and Plymouth economic development.

Sanders said one past city planner of Plymouth told him that one time, she drove into town and her 7-year-old said: “Mom. What happened?” Sanders said Plymouth needs a shot in the arm, and it basically hasn’t changed since the mines closed.” He said the city should promote and retain its facilities, and there is a “lot of deferred maintenance in town,” because a majority of residents are single, elderly women.

Sanders said the town could grow by 600 people in the next 15 years, and urged LAFCO’s board to approve the annexation and Sphere of Influence amendment. “We’ve got dense growth,” Sanders said. “It would be nice to have some spacious growth,” and approval was the “single best thing you can do for Plymouth.”

Jim Conklin, executive director of the Amador County Business Council said “we strongly support the annexation and sphere of influence amendment,” and “we hope you do it tonight” so the developer can get started on engineering and other work.

Joseph Merten, a Calaveras County resident and Amador County property owner, said his family has been living in the area since before Amador was a county. He said he used to hunt deer with the Greiliches on the Begovich Ranch property that makes up part of Reeder Sutherland project. Merten said he is involved in the projects because he sees it as good for himself, good for Bob Reeder, and good for the city. He said Plymouth will gain financial benefits from the taxable assets created when homes are built.

Reeder said two Community Facilities Districts for the development include fees of $500 a year for public safety and another CFD to fund water and sewer, which is expected to be in place in six months. He said they will set the CFDs, set the tax amount and start collecting taxes.

LAFCO approved the sphere of influence amendment, and continued the meeting to its next regularly scheduled meeting of Jan. 19, to consider the annexation and reorganization application by Plymouth, which includes Reeder’s project areas.

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