Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek City Council on Tuesday took suggestions about Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort and things they should look at. Planning Commission Chairman Robin Peters said the commission “could not fully evaluate issues related to money, finance” and over-riding benefits, “as those are city council considerations.” He gave the council a list of considerations that remain, and suggested the council “focus its energy and attention on the fiscal components of the project.” That included making the development agreement “accurate and protective of the city,” by discarding the current draft “in favor of a document written (from the beginning) by the city and for the city.” The commission recommended the council assure that the city is “getting enough in return for locking in fees and providing the developer with long-term vesting” in the development agreement. Peters said the developer “prepared a long list of suggestions” for constructed improvements they thought were eligible for “parkland fee credits.” He said most of those, “the city team believes are inappropriate.” The commission also asked whether fire and school district impacts are “adequately mitigated,” or if the council should make additional requirements in the Development Agreement. Peters said “conditions of approval” include formation of a community facilities district with a “city-specific General Fund fiscal impact offset” and aimed at bridging “the gap between the anticipated cost of service and projected property tax revenues.” He asked if a “similar mechanism” should be sought for county services. Peters said the council should also consider if traffic mitigation is sufficient. Bunce said Gold Rush wants to participate on a fair share basis for traffic fees, and wants to be a part of ACTC’s Circulation Mapping Exercise tool, when it is implemented. He said “widening Ridge Road to 4 lanes would make it the largest road in Amador County,” but it would not get any more traffic because all other roads are 2 lanes. As far as the need for a new, “active park,” Bunce said “we’re all ears. We are not drawing a line in the sand.” But he said he would like to get some parkland fee credit for having a public golf course, and for the 17 acres dedicated to the school district, for a school and park site. He had support in his speech from School Superintendent Dick Glock said “Gold Rush met and exceeded all requirement.” Glock said if ACUSD cannot take the 17 acres, it will get $2 million from Gold Rush. Bunce said 60 percent of the project is open space, and he “will work with the city on this additional 15-acre park.” Bunce said “we will make the application consistent with everything we’ve said tonight.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.