Amador County - A formal request for exception from the General Plan was made on behalf of New Life Christian Church during the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday. Pastor Jay Donnelly asked Supervisors to grant exception to General Plan guidelines and allow the church to develop a 7-acre parcel of land off Ridge Road donated by the Estate of Mary Lou Oneto. Supervisor Brian Oneto excused himself because he has property adjacent to the acreage in question. County policy prohibits the acceptance of applications for general plan amendments and zone changes until such time as the comprehensive general plan update is completed. “The intent of the moratorium is to prevent ‘piecemeal’ General Plan amendments…as these threaten the viability and long range success…as well as orderly growth and development within the county,” said Heather Anderson of the Planning Department. Donnelly said that his church had for the last seven years been looking at parcels to “accomplish the mission of building our facility.” He referred to Ridge Road as “church lane” because of the high number of church’s there. Donnelly said this “development will not threaten the viability of the long range success of the General Plan.” He said the Church would install a left hand turn lane off of Ridge Road for safety. Supervisor Forster asked if there were cases where other properties were allowed to make exceptions. Anderson said, “in this county, no.” Planning Director Susan Grijalva clarified that some exceptions were made during a brief period in the 1980s when “the State relaxed for 180 days for cancellations of the Williamson Act.” Supervisor Louis Boitano noted that if “they put a turn lane in, that’s a public improvement.” Supervisor John Plasse said he “wouldn’t want to see the church project (denied) and then become somebody else’s mansion on the ridge.” The Supervisors unanimously approved the exception with Supervisor Oneto withdrawn, but noted that this was only approval to allow an application for a General Plan Amendment. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Wednesday, 11 February 2009 00:49
Supes Grant Exception For New Life Church
Amador County - A formal request for exception from the General Plan was made on behalf of New Life Christian Church during the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday. Pastor Jay Donnelly asked Supervisors to grant exception to General Plan guidelines and allow the church to develop a 7-acre parcel of land off Ridge Road donated by the Estate of Mary Lou Oneto. Supervisor Brian Oneto excused himself because he has property adjacent to the acreage in question. County policy prohibits the acceptance of applications for general plan amendments and zone changes until such time as the comprehensive general plan update is completed. “The intent of the moratorium is to prevent ‘piecemeal’ General Plan amendments…as these threaten the viability and long range success…as well as orderly growth and development within the county,” said Heather Anderson of the Planning Department. Donnelly said that his church had for the last seven years been looking at parcels to “accomplish the mission of building our facility.” He referred to Ridge Road as “church lane” because of the high number of church’s there. Donnelly said this “development will not threaten the viability of the long range success of the General Plan.” He said the Church would install a left hand turn lane off of Ridge Road for safety. Supervisor Forster asked if there were cases where other properties were allowed to make exceptions. Anderson said, “in this county, no.” Planning Director Susan Grijalva clarified that some exceptions were made during a brief period in the 1980s when “the State relaxed for 180 days for cancellations of the Williamson Act.” Supervisor Louis Boitano noted that if “they put a turn lane in, that’s a public improvement.” Supervisor John Plasse said he “wouldn’t want to see the church project (denied) and then become somebody else’s mansion on the ridge.” The Supervisors unanimously approved the exception with Supervisor Oneto withdrawn, but noted that this was only approval to allow an application for a General Plan Amendment. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
