Amador County - Planning Director Susan Grijalva addressed the Planning Commission at their meeting Tuesday night, focusing discussions on the description and boundaries of the Town Center and Optional Element outlines. She left agenda item discussions for Urban Reserve designation and affordable housing project area designation for Wednesday evening’s meeting with city representatives present. Representatives from various community groups then addressed the commission. First, Bob Currall, Co-chair of the Upcountry Community Council, defined the Buckhorn sphere as beginning at King James Orchard and ending at Mace Meadows extending 1,000 feet on either side of Highway 88. Curral expressed concern over duplication of services causing business failure. He also noted strong community opposition to additional low income housing in the Buckhorn Town Center. Upcountry resident Sherry Curtis disputed TSPN’s reporting Tuesday of the boundaries of the Pine Grove Town Center ending at Tabeaud Road. She stated that the council agreed they extend to Aqueduct-Grove Road.

John Carlson of the Pine Grove Council, reviewed the findings of the Revitalization Study of Pine Grove through the Community Development Block Grant. The study suggested civic improvements, such as public park improvements, establishing a “walkable” community, and upgrades to businesses. He defined the Pine Grove sphere from Ridge Road and Highway 88 to Mt. Zion Road, wanting the boundaries to be flexible, possibly extending to Tabeaud Road. Art Marinaccio, General Plan Consultant for the Amador Citizens for Responsible Government, Tom Infusino of the Foothill Conservancy and Shirley Jones of the River Pines Revitalization Committee brought up the need for the economic viability of businesses, septic concerns, walkable communities, and traffic and parking issues. John O’Sullivan addressed the Commission, stating he was “perturbed.” O’Sullivan felt his Mokelumne Bluffs subdivision east of Pine Grove embodied the earlier statements made to the Commission by Carlson and Infusino. Finding their statements contradictory since they opposed his project and his view, O’Sullivan said this will cost the County. Story by Debi Brodie (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).