The Sutter Creek Planning Commission took three actions Monday night, including a recommendation for the city council to OK the environmental portions of its 2007 housing element.

The recommendation, made after a public hearing on the matter, included certifying the negative declaration of the environmental impact report, the environmental documentation and amendments. Last year's housing element, part of the city's general plan update process, has been the subject of discussion at the planning commission for several months while amendments were suggested. The city council will consider the matter and make a final decision at a future meeting.

Later in the meeting, the Powder House Estates grading plan was reviewed by the commission as a condition for approval and will also be passed to the city council for a final vote on the matter.

In April 2003, the commission determined the EIR that was originally prepared for the project, then known as Oak Knolls, was no longer adequate based on changing standards of the California Environmental Quality Act. project. The project includes 53 single-family residential lots, 54 townhouses and 16.8 acres set aside for open space and was reevaluated with an updated EIR in 2004, when the subdivision map of the development was approved.

The city council will also consider the architectural guidelines for historic residential zones at a future meeting, as the planning commission reviewed and recommended the draft guidelines that will set architectural standards for residential areas within the city and combine them with the newer planned developments that are projected to be within city limits.