News Archive (6192)
Amador County - The Amador County General Plan panel decided to have the planning commission take a closer study of the City Spheres of Influence and land designations in those spheres. County Planner Susan Grijalva said cities were worried about the designation of lands in their spheres of influence. She said the county can mimic the cities’ general plan designations; designate areas as Agriculture General; create an “Urban Reserve” or similar designation; or do something else. Some designations, she said, like AG, could preserve buffers around cities to curb development. Grijalva said dropping commercial areas in residential areas “isn’t playing nice.” District 1 Supervisor Richard Escamilla said he thought they should leave it alone and make decisions case-by-case. Supervisor Chair Richard Forster said he thought keeping development closer to infrastructure and city centers would keep other unincorporated areas from getting developed. Grijalva said Roseanne Chamberlain, director of the Local Agency Formation Commission, said she would not change any current Spheres of Influence unless requested to do so by cities. Escamilla said any city will take development if it can get it, and urged to keep designations as they were and handle them individually. County Counsel Martha J. Shaver said making no change may have the effect of having the incompatible designations that cities have problems with. The panel decided to send the issue to the Amador County Planning Commission, to discuss at its next meeting, 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 18th. The panel and Forster directed staff to invite cities to the planning commission meeting, to be able to answer questions about their spheres of influence. The planning department e-mailed invitations to the cities and by Thursday, Jackson City Planner Susan Peters had responded, saying she would attend. Forster adjourned the serial meeting to November 19th, from noon to 4 p.m., noting that they had about 40 minutes of work left and then they would take more public input to close out the next meeting. Story by Jim Reece
The City of Jackson has reached a milestone in the update of its General Plan. After a decade of environmental impact reports, public input, planning commission review, a major multi-agency cooperative effort, and some legal roadblocks, the city’s Circulation Element and Land Use Element were finally adopted. At the city council’s meeting Monday night, council members heard from city staff on the few remaining issues left over from the council’s October 27th meeting, where a public hearing was conducted and several issues still needed clarification. Monday, the city’s planner, Susan Peters, clarified those issues to the satisfaction of the council, including some confusion over map overlays on private property. Peters reported that she worked closely with one concerned property owner to clarify and resolve that matter. Together, both documents will help to direct the continued growth of Jackson and both are considered “working documents” that can be updated as needed. The Circulation Element, which was last updated in 1999, is responsible for developing “a comprehensive circulation plan for all travel modes within the Jackson area, and to provide a strategy for financing preferred transportation improvements.” The Draft Land Use Element, which was last updated in 1981, serves to “establish a framework to direct the physical development of the City and to form the organization of the City’s environment.” Once the lengthy resolution had been adopted 4 to 0 Monday, with newly appointed member Pat Crew abstaining due to lack of experience on the issue, Mayor Pryor Escamilla appropriately declared, “Hallelujah!” Story by Jen Wilson (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
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.
By Alex Lane -
One Lockwood area resident is voicing her opposition to Measure M, the ½ cent Sales tax proposal supporting local firefighters that is set for the November ballot. “While Jackson, Sutter Creek, District Supervisor Ted Novelli and others are painting a rosy picture of having paid firefighters, it…leaves Lockwood Fire Protection District out in the cold,” said resident Jackie Vaughn, who also made it clear that she is “merely a private citizen who happens to be a former (AFPA) Board Director.” Lockwood, with a population of 1,100 and a fire incident percentage of 3.231, is a 22-square mile area considered by CALFIRE and other firefighting representatives as a “high fire density zone.” Vaughn is objecting to what she sees as an unfair disbursement of funds and representation under the Measure M guidelines. “Lockwood is the only true volunteer fire department,” she said. According to the disbursement formula, Lockwood would receive just over 3 percent of the funds based upon incidents and population. But Vaughn argues that this disbursement in disproportionate, and that the Measure does not consider that Lockwood has no revenue stream. While “other volunteers receive a ‘pay-per-call’ stipend…Lockwood volunteers receive nothing,” she said. Sutter Creek Fire Chief Butch Martin, a strong supporter of Measure M, says “I know the economy’s not good right now, but we wouldn’t be asking for it if we didn’t need it.” Last year, fire department calls went from 525 to 630, more than a 100-call increase, adding, “I hope it doesn’t do it again this year.” 85 percent of those were medical calls. Five years ago, with a staff of 35 firefighters, Martin was “on top of the world” and never thought about consolidation. Now, they are down to 17 volunteers and he believes consolidation under this Measure is the answer. Measure M is back on the ballot after failing to get the support needed the last time it was up for public vote. At that time, the vote in favor was 63 or 64 percent, just shy of the 66.66 percent-plus-one vote needed to pass. Vaughn believes that no matter the benefits, disbursement needs a reevaluation. In her words: “The AFPA needs to go back to the drawing board and make it equitable to all.”
By Jim Reece -
The Sutter Creek Planning Commission met last Wednesday and commented on another six chapters of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort Draft Environmental Impact Report. A laundry list of categories drew some public comment and remarks from the commission. In the public services and facilities element, staff found the EIR sufficient in that, like the city’s General Plan requires, Gold Rush will pay its fair share of new, improved or expanded public services and facilities. Likewise, the developers will fund improvements to the collection and treatment systems to keep pace with needs. In the safety element, Anders Hauge, consultant for the city, said that no open mine shafts were found on the Gold Rush property, but they would go look again just to be sure. The General Plan requires capping any such shafts. Staff found that sufficient soil investigation had been completed at the site. Staff also found that FEMA had not designated the site a 100-year flood plain. The report said “Hilly topography and drainage within existing swales, Stony Creek, and tributaries within the site minimize the potential for flooding.” Findings also said the project will control peak flow runoff such that it does not significantly add to flooding hazards. Chairman of the commission Robin Peters asked about language placing fire hydrants in wildland fire areas of the property. Hauge said the intent was to get hydrants out in some of the hundreds of acres of open space areas, to meet fire suppression requirements in the General Plan. The project will provide peak fire flows of 1,500 gallons per minute. On the noise element, Commissioner Mike Kirkley said that constraints of the project put conflicting land uses – housing – close to the noise of the existing SPI wood mill in the area. A consultant for Gold Rush said the comment gives them reason to go back to the noise data, decibel readings, to see if the mill was operating on that day. The Commission still needs to go through the EIR’s housing element, at a meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, then it will discuss changes and recommendations at later meetings scheduled through February 2009.
By Alex Lane -
A proposal has been included in the General Plan that would require a conditional use permit for any residential use of Up Country lands East of Dew Drop. The proposal is number 19 in a list of potential changes available for public viewing through the County’s website. In the language of the document, the proposal would apply to, “public and private lands east of Dew Drop presently used or anticipated to be used for passive and commercial recreation, limited managed forestry, mining or grazing activities.” This and other elements of the General Plan have been added and revised based on public input in years of past meetings. Amador County Planning Director Susan Grijalva acknowledged last week that “there is some opposition to what the county and staff have proposed” and expected extended public comment on the issue during a public workshop Saturday and another, Wednesday, October 15th. Two other public meetings are scheduled for October 14th and 16th. “I own my land, and I shouldn’t have to have a use permit to go on my own land,” said Jennifer Cunio Girard, owner of a cabin near Silver Lake.” District 1 Supervisor Elect John Plasse agreed, saying “it is against my core beliefs to devalue or further incumber someone's property with additional regulations.” Plasse is a property owner in affected area. This option has been the only one available throughout the process of developing alternatives A, B, C, and D. Plasse said he didn’t “understand why leaving things as they are can't be an alternative,” said Plasse.”
Amador County – The joint meeting of the Amador County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission will reconvene tomorrow in the supervisors’ chambers in Jackson. The Amador County Planning Department last week announced the continuation of the March and April meetings for the county’s comprehensive General Plan Update, “The Path to 2030.” The joint panel first met on the General Plan Update last October and met again in March and last week. Tuesday’s meeting will be held in the Board Chambers, at the County Administration Center, 810 Court Street, in Jackson, from 4 to 7 p.m. The planning department in announcing the meeting said its purpose is for specific “public comment, discussion and recommendation pertaining to identifying provisions for interim use of property and desired criteria for any future Specific Plan” or plans within the proposed “SPA-I,” that is, the “Special Planning Area – Interim” designation for the Rancho Arroyo Seco property located west of Ione. The department said “written information and maps that have been developed to this point” can be found at the County’s website, www.co.amador.ca.us. Amador Planning Department said “the Update process is ongoing so please continue to monitor the website and watch for notices of future public hearings, as changes to the proposed General Plan can, and will, be made up until the last meeting.” For information, call the Amador County Planning Department at 223-6380.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County – The Ione City Council on Tuesday amended an agreement on the Wildflower Subdivision, which could allow a sale of the development. Doug Goldsmith of Ryland Homes was the only person to talk during a public hearing on the amendment. Goldsmith said it was a “win-win” for the city and his company because “it gives you guys some money and it makes the project more viable.” The amendment allows for a final map on the project. City Manager Kim Kerr introduced the amendment, approved earlier this month by the Ione Planning Commission. Kerr said “the biggest issue is addressing their water entitlement with the Amador Water Agency.” Kerr said Ryland Homes is in negotiations with a company to purchase the Wildflower Project. The project includes a 2-million-gallon potable water storage tank off Brickyard Road. Ryland Homes paid 2.2 million dollars for the tank and also financed the project for another 2 million dollars. JTS Communities paid 360,000 dollars for a pump station that feeds the tank. The amendment to the agreement with Ione allows a 15 percent payment of Facility Impact Fees on Units 1 and 2 in the Wildflower development. That 15 percent is to be paid when the final map is recorded, while the remaining 85 percent of fees are due at the issuance of the first building permit, or 9 months after the recording date. For Units 3, 4 and 5, Ryland must pay 15 percent of Facility Impact Fees, which amounts to 435,794 dollars. That money is due to the city either on February 27, 2009, or within 7 days of close of escrow if Ryland sells Units 3, 4 and 5. Accompanying it was a resolution saying that the amendment is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. The original agreement was signed with Ryland Homes in 2007 to develop 201 single-family homes on 63 acres. The Wildflower Project is next to Howard Park, between Highway 104 and Brickyard Road, in the east part of Ione. The revision changed the notification period from 60 days to 30 days for Ryland Homes to notify the city of any intent to sell the lots in each of Units 3, 4 and 5. Kerr said that the amendment was needed to get the final map and allow any sale of the units. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
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.
By Jim Reece -
Amador County got the OK for 20 new homes in Lake Camanche Village last week when the state lifted a moratorium on new homes there. The Amador Water Agency announced the lifting of the moratorium. AWA received notice from the California Department of Public Health on October 7th that said, “with the additional source capacity and reliability provided by the (newly installed) Well 14, state regulators will allow up to 20 new service connections in the system in the next year.” The health department halted all new connections in Lake Camanche Village in November of 2006, until the AWA could improve the system’s ability to provide a sustained water supply. Well 14 was completed in August of 2007 and gives an additional 40 percent capacity gain to the Lake Camanche system. AWA General Manager Jim Abercrombie said it was “critical to Lake Camanche property owners that they know whether they will be able to develop their property in the future.” He said the “state has recognized that we have made substantial improvements” to the system, and that AWA “is committed to continuing to develop a reliable, sustainable water supply for out Lake Camanche customers.” The health Department noted concern over diminishing groundwater resources in the Foothills in the current drought and outlined conditions for the 20 new hook-ups. AWA must monitor groundwater conditions and well production rates for evaluation before future hook-ups will be allowed. AWA must continue efforts to fund and complete a groundwater sustainability study in the Camanche area. If water shortages occur, the AWA will implement mandatory conservation practices for residents of Lake Camanche Village as needed to prevent water shortages.
