Amador County – A heavy equipment school at the former Garibaldi Ranch would be allowed in county zoning, according to county code.
Operating Engineers Local Union 3, and representative Kris Morgan have applied for a use permit to move an existing training school to the Garibaldi Ranch, owned by Ethel Cecchettini, of Placerville. The applicant is in escrow on the property.
Amador County lead planner on the project, Cara Augustin said some people have wondered how the application could come about on the property, zoned R1A, for single family residential and agriculture, with a General Plan designation of Ag General. Augustin said county code allows several additional uses, subject to an approved use permit. It allows for a private or public school with accredited curricula “in any zoned district.” Churches are among other uses allowed.
The permit application proposes “classes offering accredited curricula in heavy equipment use, job site safety procedures, mechanics, and construction fundamentals.” It proposes about 76,000 square feet of campus buildings on 12 acres, with up to 45 employees and accommodations for up to 120 students. It proposes the “construction and ongoing operation of three separate 100-acre training areas to use for training students in the operation of heavy construction equipment.”
Facility plans include a two-story dormitory, offices, cafeteria, main repair shop, teamster module building, recreation center, auditorium and classrooms for welding, engine, transportation and electrical studies.
The proposal included “some grading” for campus buildings and parking, “however, the 100-acre training areas would involve substantial grading and the re-contouring of existing features, such as slopes and hillsides.” It said the “impacts are not expected to be visible from surrounding residences, from vehicles driving” on Varia Ranch or Tonzi Roads, or from recreational users in the area. It said “existing vegetation, proposed landscaping, and elevation changes are expected to minimize views into the site.”
The ranch is located at 9455 Tonzi Road, west of Highway 49, east of Highway 124, and north of Tonzi road near the 124/Tonzi intersection.
Supervisor Brian Oneto said he and Supervisor Chairman John Plasse toured the ranch with the applicant. Oneto said he thought it was fairly remote as far as impacts, though the height of cranes may impact views from further distances. Oneto said the school is now located in Rancho Murieta, on property that has been sold recently, and the new owners have given the school a 10-year notice to move.
Oneto said the move to Amador would bring more people to the county. He said the county might also benefit if it can get some school entry allowances for local Amador County students. He said enrollment to such training programs are often difficult to attain.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
