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Wednesday, 03 February 2010 17:00

Housing Element Update Outlines Housing Policy Goals

slide3.pngAmador County – The Amador County Planning Department released a draft Wednesday of the updated Housing Element, which provides a “road map” for the county’s housing policy. The document states that “the County is committed to a vision of a sustainable, rural community that increases housing choice for all current and future residents.” Consistent with the General Plan, the 168-page document says the county is committed to State Housing Element laws, including the development of low income housing, complying with zoning and development standards, promoting equal opportunities and “preserving assisted housing developments for lower income households.” It includes a list of goals and policies of the draft General Plan that are closely related to the Housing Element. These goals are to attain a “diverse and integrated mix” of different classifications of development, including open land space uses; enhancing and maintaining “separate and distinct community areas” in the county; and guiding “future residential and local commercial uses into established cities and unincorporated Town Centers. Planning officials previously held two workshops to discuss housing policies and the Housing Element, both open to the public. A Stakeholder’s Workshop held last June brought together 12 groups from throughout the county and highlighted the importance of workforce housing, services for elderly residents, low income services, and the high sewer costs in the upcountry area. A Public Workshop last July gathered ideas on farm labor housing, constructing higher density housing in urban areas and zoning regulations. Many of these ideas are incorporated into this latest Housing Element update. A joint meeting of the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. to review and comment on the proposed update to the Housing Element. A copy of the element is also available on the Planning Department General Plan Update page of the County website. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.