Amador County – The Sutter Creek Planning Commission worked several sections of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort Specific Plan Monday, finding items to change and some that needed more work. Consultant Anders Hague said items that were part of the development agreement included details of the “Wildlife Management Plan.” Hague said the city must approve the wildlife habitat, so they “must be comfortable with it.” Commission Chairman Robin Peters asked about a stipulation where a developer “must provide a qualified wildlife management” biologist for designation of habitats. Peters asked if the master developer would handle that or if it broke down to individual developers. Hague said “it is layered” and City Attorney Dennis Crabb is working on language to clarify that. Hague said most habitat designations have to do with approval of the final large lot map. Peters thought that “construction and installation should be done by the Master Developer.” He said “small-lot developers should not have to do it, so the master developer should either build it or fund it.” Commissioner Mike Kirkley said he disliked the concept of allowing a biologist to make the determinations because they are not a licensed profession. The “tombstone rocks” of the region came up during discussion of cultural resources, and Hague said the rocks are not cultural resources. Commissioner Frank Cunha disagreed, saying “this is a recommendation: So if people think they are important historically, geologically or aesthetically, then we should be talking about this now.” In public comment, Kathy Allen said the rocks got their name from settlers who used them to build tombstones, and the rocks’ ready availability helped settlers determine were to build towns. Allen said that made tombstone rocks cultural resources. Cunha said they should “insert some language to retain tombstone rocks, where feasible, to at least make a mention of it.” Kirkley said “any time you say ‘where feasible’ – you are pretty much making it unenforceable.” Hague said tombstone rocks were addressed in the conditions of approval. In a section discussing grading, Cunha recommended that “all grading sites shall be contoured and shaped.” Commissioner Bob Olson said that it should include Kirkley’s favorite phrase, “to the extent feasible.” Kirkley asked: “Is there a way to search and kill all of these” portions of the Specific Plan that say “to the extent feasible?” Hague said it could be done. Cunha said the grading section should also exclude the word “mass” in reference to grading. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.