By Jim Reece -

A serial meeting on the Land Use element of the General Plan drew comments from land owners and supervisors Tuesday and Wednesday in the supervisors’ chambers in Jackson. County Planner Susan Grijalva and her staff introduced some parcels considered for land use re-designation. One was turning the Martel area into a “Regional Service Center.” Another would re-designate portions of Camanche North Shore, Camanche Village, Buckhorn and Pine Grove as “Service Centers” or “Town Centers.” Another would prepare Camanche Village for an 18-unit-per acre housing density. Supervisor Louis Boitano asked whether River Pines was considered as a Town Center. Grijalva said it was proposed but through public input, it was eliminated, though it could still be considered. Another area was Sunset Acres, zoned R-3, which would be changed to high density for affordable housing in Martel. Grijalva said four General Plan applications were received, for Pioneer’s old cedar mill property; the Pine Grove & Tabeaud Road area; the Garbarini Ranch; and the Gold Rush properties. She said using some elements will have an effect on other designations made. Grijalva said “What we develop has to support what we go forward with in our land use plan.” Supervisor Ted Novelli asked why Town Center designation was not given to Red Corral or Pioneer, which remained commercial. Novelli said: “Wouldn’t you consider those town centers right now?” Grijalva said Red Corral has limited septic systems, but on Pioneer, she said she was “kind of surprised.” Novelli said if they were able to bring in a sewer plant, they would be able to change that designation. Grijalva said she thought Supervisors were beginning to see the issues and decision they must face. Novelli said he asked about Red Corral because it has two major highways passing through. Grijalva said that circulation would have to be studied there. Supervisor Brian Oneto said he had talked to a number of people who were “not real happy with the vision statement.” Oneto said he thought the board should finish the vision statement first, “or we’re back to square one.” Grijalva said that was part of the process: “You’ve got to keep circling back and confirming that you’re on the right track.” But if changes are made, they must revisit the vision statement with the maps. Supervisor Richard Forster said that as six meetings had been used to craft the vision statement, it should be left alone as the rest of the process is undertaken.