The county is in the midst of updating a general plan that will set forth the policies, goals and objectives for land use and development decisions.

The county is now entering into the land use and alternatives segment of the general plan update process. The Land Use Working Paper, the Land Use Classification System and Alternatives Workbook, and Map Packet are available on the General Plan Web site www.co.amador.ca.us/depts/amadorgeneralplan. Full size colored copies of the maps are also available for review in the planning department office.

The working paper will provide information on current land uses and general plan land use designations to give context for examining constraints and opportunities for land use changes over the 20-plus year planning horizon of the general plan. These constraints and opportunities, along with the emerging vision articulated by the Amador General Plan Advisory Committee, have been used to generate three land use alternatives located in the alternatives workbook and map packet.

These issues will be discussed at the Jan. 24 meeting to provide an overview of the current land uses and general plan designations, as well as explain the three alternatives, allocating plenty of time for questions and answers. The meetings to follow will be dedicated for discussion and evaluation of the proposed land use alternatives.

The planning department invites the public to attend the next GPAC meeting to be held Thursday, Jan. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the County Administration Center, 810 Court Street. All GPAC meetings are open to the public and all county residents are encouraged to attend and participate.

For agendas and documents for GPAC meetings, visit www.co.amador.ca.us/depts/amadorgeneralplan or contact the Amador County Planning Department at 223-6380.