Amador County – The Sutter Creek Planning Commission and the county’s resident traffic czar agreed on the basic gist of Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort’s new traffic impact study. That is, if a “fair share” percentage is paid by developers for traffic impacts, how will it guarantee mitigation measures are made? The answer was not so easy. Amador County Transportation Commission Executive Director Charles Field said “it’s good to hear the planning commission comments: The things you are uncomfortable with, the ACTC staff is uncomfortable with.” He said solutions to and resolutions of problems need to be discussed and if the commission is “going to certify (Gold Rush) with this many mitigations not determined,” if might be a problem to the city. He said if all the developer does is pay “their fees and then they have paid their fair share, at that point the mitigation measure responsibility shifts to the city.” Field said other issues were the things not included in the study, such as Allen Ranch Road, which “has the purpose to serve the development,” but is not in the Environmental Impact Report. “We think it’s a good idea to plan for that use,” Field said, and “bring Allen Ranch Road into the EIR.” Field also mentioned the developer’s promised school site, which is “not in the EIR, but it’s in that area, and how is it going to be affected?” And he said the mixed-use public property in Gold Rush, for the fire station and other amenities, might need to get an entrance allowance from Caltrans on Highway 104. Field said Sutter Creek Planning Commission should not approve the Final EIR until they have certified the development agreement and conditions of approval. But he said “Gold Rush has sat with us a few times and I do believe they are willing to work on this.” Sutter Commission Chairman Robin Peters said the comment period on the new traffic study remains open until 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 5th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.