A decision to recommend an updated housing element for the city's general plan to the Sutter Creek City Council was another non-starter at the planning commission meeting Monday night.

Commissioners struggled with making the recommendation after learning that a portion of the draft had not been made available to them before the meeting, although a PowerPoint presentation from consultant Andy Hauge, vice president of Parsons, was heard regardless of the decision not to make a recommendation.

"No one here has seen the initial study," said newly elected commission Chair Robin Powers. "I don't know about the time frame for city council, but we are going to have to put it back on the agenda."

The housing element update of the city's general plan sets forth goals, policies and the programs that address the housing needs at all income levels. The 2007 plan update covers a planning period from Jan. 1, 2001 through June 30, 2008 and is already old, according to Commissioner Frank Cunha. "May I remind the commission that the housing element you are working on now is old and actually way overdue," he said.

Under California law, the housing element must include the community's goals, quantified objectives and housing programs for the maintenance, improvement and development of housing within the city. It's due in 2009.

The commission did approve the Erickson Ranch annexation, a matter that had been carried over from a meeting last month because of concerns regarding which agency would provide fire protection to the project site.

The parcels, totaling 187.01 acres, are located along the Highway 49 bypass between Sutter-Ione and Tonzi roads, and were deeded to the city by the state Department of Transportation as part of the bypass construction. The annexation of the parcels into the city of Sutter Creek will allow them to remain in perpetuity as a tax exempt public space, according to the staff report. Under the easement agreement, the parcels are proposed to offer a trail with educational sites upon approval from the Department of Fish and Wildlife Service, a small picnic area and access to recognized Native American archeological sites. The harvesting of native plants within the area could also be permitted with approval from the grantor and grantee.

An application by the Main Street-based Carter Co. for new signage was tabled by commissioners due to a city code that prohibits pole or post mounted signs.

"We cannot approve a sign that hangs into an active roadway," Peters said.

The double-sided marquee sign was to be attached to the balcony post under a roof line and measure 12 feet, well under the 16-foot limit the city imposed. Peters suggested the applicant be called to let him know what went wrong and submit a new design.