By Jim Reece -

The 12th hour of a Land Use Element hearing ended with public input running over the allotted speaking time once again. Deliberation planned by the Amador County Board of Supervisors and its Planning Commission was put on hold. The meeting was adjourned to November 5th in the board chambers. The panel took four hours of public testimony Thursday in the third day of its serial. Jim Conklin, executive director of the Amador County Business Council said he was worried that draft elements in the General Plan might go directly from draft form to the Environmental Impact Report process, but he was glad to hear Planning Director Susan Grijalva say that the process must include more public hearings. Conklin said he is also executive director of the Calaveras County Business Council and has been working with Calaveras on its economic development element and would be happy to share that work with Amador County. He and others noted that the county might also want a separate Agriculture Element, which he said might fit into the economic element. Others suggested a Water Element, for watershed management. Chris Fusano urged that the county remove any tree law from the county plan and use only state law for tree preservation. He also said the term, “where economically feasible” should be part of the entire General Plan. Supervisor Board Chairman Richard Forster said he would like that term for the county too, as the state mandates too many tasks for the county. Supervisor Louis Boitano said, “One of those tasks it to redo your General Plan.” Supervisors and planning commissioners will meet again to deliberate on the Land Use Element, 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 5 at the supervisors chambers, 800 Court Street in Jackson. Cara Agustin of the county planning office said the “main goal for the board and planning commission is to provide direction to staff on how to proceed with the General Plan.” Another, tentative meeting is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 12th.