Amador County – The Ione City Council today will consider starting the environmental work on Ione’s new Land Use Plan and will discuss a city “beautification project.” The meeting starts at 6 pm today and includes a 7 pm public hearing on the Land Use Element. Adoption of the General Plan will require preparation of a full Environmental Impact Report. City Planner Christopher Jordan said staff is preparing to initiate that process, but “before work on the EIR can begin, the council must identify and direct staff to analyze a preferred Land Use Plan.” But “because formal adoption is not being completed at this time … no environmental review is necessary.” City Manager Kim Kerr will give the council a staff report on the Ione Beautification Project, for the city draft Code Enforcement ordinance. A Town Hall meeting will get feedback from Ione residents and “discuss ways to assist in beautifying the city.” Kerr, in a city newsletter, said the “city is looking for ways to assist homeowners, business owners and residents in cleaning up their neighborhoods,” which will include removal of trash and abandoned vehicles and improvement to the overall appearance of Main Street and Ione neighborhoods. Kerr said “community ideas and support are needed to enhance and improve the appearance of the city.” The intent of the Town Hall meeting is to take comments and see how the “City can help clean up or enhance the downtown corridor and neighborhoods.” Staff will discuss the “definition of public nuisance and other concepts in the Code Enforcement ordinance to get feedback from the public.” The Town Hall meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 22nd, at Evalynn Bishop Hall. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).