The Ione Planning Commission also held a public workshop on the City of Ione’s zoning code. City staff is currently working on streamlining the zoning code document and will begin to scour over the pages to correct any discrepancies, according to City Planner Christopher Jordan. “This zoning code update ties in well with the (County’s) general plan update,” said Jordan. A number of questions were raised and answered during the workshop, including ‘What is the zoning code?’; ‘What do the zoning code policy guidelines mean?’; and ‘What are the next steps to be taken?’. The zoning code is a primary tool in land use planning, and is utilized for regulation and prescription regarding allowed uses in the designated areas. It is also universally applied and comprehensive. The method currently utilized by the City of Ione is Euclidean which allows both building block zoning and conventional zoning, and is the most prevalent type of zoning code used in the United States. The city’s current code has been described as lengthy and complicated.

According to Jordan, the updated version will include both tables and graphics that are more concise and easier to use. Chairman Plank stated that, “although this is a good start, there are a lot of items we (the commission) want to take another look at.” Councilman Joe Wylie was skeptical, referring to the latest round of updates as “just another layer”. During public comment, Ione resident Agynes Clay expressed skepticism in regards to the new plans. “I heard a lot of dreams here tonight. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but Ione is a ghost town.” She continued by saying “we need to focus on bringing people in. I am a business owner. I have been in the same spot for the past 4 years and today I made 7 dollars.” The planning commission will hold hearings on the updated zoning code in November and December of this year.