There was some controversy this week regarding recreation fees for the Powder House Estates Subdivision Agreement. The Powder House Estates development will be located adjacent to the Sutter Crest subdivision in Sutter Creek, and will consist of 11 single-family residential lots and one town home parcel consisting of 54 lots.  In addition, a new street identified as Powder House Drive will be created for access, and the Sutter Crest West road will be extended into the new subdivision. Construction on the project is expected to begin this summer.

This week, Tracy Towner Yep, executive director of the Amador County Recreation Agency, went before the Sutter Creek City Council to contest developer Stan Gambel’s request for the city to waive Park and Recreation fees for the project. The developer’s argument was based on the fact the fees were adopted subsequent to the project approval. Towner Yep argued that “waiving the impact fees does not waive the impacts,” and noted the lack of park facilities in the town. “Parks and Recreation are tantamount to building the nicest communities in the world,” she said. A visibly perturbed Stan Gambel then approached the council, to rebut Tower Yep’s contest. “I’m not asking for the world,” Gambel said, “I think I have been more than generous.” Gambel was referring to his donation of 3.2 acres to the city for an affordable housing program as well as 17.2 acres for open space. Gambel will also be funding road improvements on Gopher Flat Road. Substitute City Attorney Samuel L. Jackson, in for Dennis Crabb who is on vacation, informed the council that it was entirely up to their discretion whether or not to impose the fees. In the end, the council agreed to waive Park and Rec fees for the project, but will still require the payment of traffic mitigation fees.