Amador County -- Three of the five Ione Planning Commissioners hosted a public hearing and digested the draft Land Use Element of the city’s proposed new general plan, and elected to continue the public hearing until next Monday. The main item proposed was a High-Density Residential designation of acreage off Highway 124, northwest of town, which Gary Thomas called one of the more beautiful areas in the city limits. Thomas, other members of the public and planning commissioners asked how that designation was made and why that land was chosen. City Manager Kim Kerr said that the city is required by law to designate 15 acres inside the city limits to be High-Density Residential, whether or not it is developed as such. It has to be develop-able land, close to services. City Planner Christopher Jordan said if the city does not make that designation of 15 acres, the city will be “ineligible for a high number of grants.” Thomas, newly elected and sworn-in member of the Amador Water Agency, said he was speaking as an Ione resident. Thomas said if they had to relocate that High Density designation, they could move it to the Knudson property, which would offer a better walk to town. He said if Preston were to close, he would like to see it have a designation that would allow a junior college, adding that High-Density Residential across the street would blend well with a college. Commissioners Mike McDermed, Joe Wylie and David Jenkins asked Jordan and consultant Daniel Hamilton to come up with a different location alternative for the High Density Residential, other than the Highway 124 property. They also asked for notification of some property owners regarding certain designations they thought might be an issue. After public input and discussion, the commission reopened the public hearing and then continued the meeting to 6 p.m. Monday, December 15th at city hall. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Thursday, 11 December 2008 01:01
Ione Continues Land Use Hearing
Amador County -- Three of the five Ione Planning Commissioners hosted a public hearing and digested the draft Land Use Element of the city’s proposed new general plan, and elected to continue the public hearing until next Monday. The main item proposed was a High-Density Residential designation of acreage off Highway 124, northwest of town, which Gary Thomas called one of the more beautiful areas in the city limits. Thomas, other members of the public and planning commissioners asked how that designation was made and why that land was chosen. City Manager Kim Kerr said that the city is required by law to designate 15 acres inside the city limits to be High-Density Residential, whether or not it is developed as such. It has to be develop-able land, close to services. City Planner Christopher Jordan said if the city does not make that designation of 15 acres, the city will be “ineligible for a high number of grants.” Thomas, newly elected and sworn-in member of the Amador Water Agency, said he was speaking as an Ione resident. Thomas said if they had to relocate that High Density designation, they could move it to the Knudson property, which would offer a better walk to town. He said if Preston were to close, he would like to see it have a designation that would allow a junior college, adding that High-Density Residential across the street would blend well with a college. Commissioners Mike McDermed, Joe Wylie and David Jenkins asked Jordan and consultant Daniel Hamilton to come up with a different location alternative for the High Density Residential, other than the Highway 124 property. They also asked for notification of some property owners regarding certain designations they thought might be an issue. After public input and discussion, the commission reopened the public hearing and then continued the meeting to 6 p.m. Monday, December 15th at city hall. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
