Another controversial discussion at the Amador County Planning Commission on Tuesday centered around an amendment to the County Zoning Code that would establish a design review process and associated standards for development projects. Amador County Planner Nathan Lishman has spearheaded this project, which will establish architectural standards for new buildings in Amador County, in order to avoid “big box development.” The discussion revolved around the issue of whether it is too costly for developers for the County to impose design standards on buildings. Developer and local business owner Jerry Wright took the stand to oppose the standards. “You guys are driving the county into the ground,” he stated. “I have been driving up here for years. Plymouth is a slum that is not changing. Thank God the Indians are coming in to clean the place up, because there aren’t too many nice places here, and everyone wants to keep it the same.”

Local developer Leroy Carlin also spoke against the standards, stating “this is too burdensome for developers, it adds a lot to the cost.” The planning commissioners, however, defended the project. “I invite everyone to read this document before you stand here and criticize us all. I am very pro property rights, as a fiscal conservative, but I like what I have seen as a result of Folsom’s design review,” stated commissioner John Gonsalves. Commissioner Ray Ryan expressed his support for a design review committee, stating, “the committee has to be balanced. It is going to be made of developers and people who know what is going on. We don’t want to look around and see a square box on the corner, it devalues the land.” At the end of the discussion, the Planning Commission decided to continue the topic to their August 12th meeting, and directed staff to research more about other cities’ design review committees, and appeals processes.