Amador County – The Sutter Creek Planning Commission will resume discussion of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort today, with a presentation from City Attorney Dennis Crabb. The 6 p.m. meeting today will discuss a development agreement and a fiscal analysis of the Gold Rush Environmental Impact Report, as the commission works to get a recommendation, or non-recommendation, to their governing body. At a later meeting the commission will see staff recommendations on how to minimize grading and maximize oak tree removal; issues last Wednesday that the commission deemed as part of important last steps. Commissioner Mike Kirkley said “ultimately the City Council will decide” on Gold Rush. He said Gold Rush “is out of proportion in relation to the size of Sutter Creek.” He thought “it needs to be remodeled drastically.” Commissioner Frank Cunha pointed to the model the city used for Gold Rush: the Greenhorn Golf Course community in Angels Camp. The circa 1996 project has sold all of its lots “and it’s still not built out.” Cunha said he wanted “no mass tree removal” and to look at increasing tree retention. He did not “think anyone can look at a property across from the Martell triangle and say it is never going to be developed.” He said the best approach is to find the best use of the property. Chairman Robin Peters said they should modify the Gold Rush specific plan to limit grading to roads, the golf course, and individual building sites. He said they should look at the project parameters and find the best way to allow growth while saving the small town appeal described in the city’s general plan goals. Peters said: “It’s all about the general plan consistency,” and he is “perfectly happy with minimizing tree removal and grading in other projects in the city.” Commissioner Robert Olsen agreed. Cunha said “golf courses are going under,” and this one “could fold in 5 years.” Cunha said “we need to make sure as a commission that people want to live there.” He said the golf courses being “bulldozed are the ones that were mass-graded.” Peters said in his mind, oak tree preservation and minimizing grading “are fundamental issues” when considering recommendation. Cunha said today’s meeting should not discuss the “conditions of approval,” until the commission discusses that general plan consistency issue of trees and grading, and other areas within the Gold Rush specific plan. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.