Amador County – Amador County supervisors and planning commissioners last week discussed the county business environment, while ironing out the Economic Development Element of the draft General Plan. Panelists asked questions of local activist Kathy Allen, whose group, Amador Citizens For Responsible Growth claimed a victory when Home Depot pulled the plug on its pursuit of locating a franchise in Jackson. Allen said the county should work on its economic attractors, and she urged protection of the county, because “we don’t want to set ourselves up to be a bedroom community.” She criticized Starbucks as being “not local,” with “low-paid” jobs “and all of the money goes to Seattle.” Allen said: “Let’s say somebody wants to open a nudie joint next to the Kennedy Mine? We really don’t want to attract that kind of business.” Jim Conklin of the Amador County Business Council said Amador does not want to restrict development near tourist attractions, and Allen said “yes we do.” She said she did not want Petcos built near mines and historic destinations, and “no tacky businesses” next to the Chaw’se Indian Grinding Rock State Park. She urged the county to not “repeat a bad model” by emulating Elk Grove. On the Home Depot, she said “we have a Lowes, a Meeks, a True Value. Did we really need a Home Depot? No.” The panel eventually agreed on verbiage to say “a fiscal impact study may be required.” Allen argued that they should “require nationally owned chains to do it.” Board of Supervisors Chairman Ted Novelli asked if she would also require that for car dealerships. Allen said “you can’t have a locally owned car dealership.” Novelli asked Allen how she felt about manufacturing. Allen said “bring it,” calling manufacturing “pure profit.” Art Marinaccio, of Amador Citizens For Responsible Government, said Allen’s suggestion was illegal and “you can’t just say” we “don’t like Petco.” He urged the panel to talk to the county attorney about what they can and cannot do about “big box” stores. Rebecca Brown of District 5 thanked the panel for its “hard work,” and said “we want our businesses to be county-friendly.” Brown said: “I’m really glad I’m not you,” having to make the hard decisions and take public comment in the face of economic hard times. She said the board has the ability to limit developments’ total square feet, and reduce traffic, runoff and other impacts. She said “a big box store is not the same as retail or large national chains.” Story by Jim Reece