In what may have been the longest meeting in the history of the Amador County Technical Advisory Committee, members recommended that the conditions and mitigation monitoring program be approved for the Mokelumne Bluffs subdivision.

Beginning at 1:30 on Wednesday afternoon, the committee remained in session until 6 p.m., patiently working their way through a seven-page letter of concerns from attorney Tom Infusino, on behalf of the Foothill Conservancy.

In the most recent draft of proposed conditions for the Mokelumne Bluffs project, Amador County Planner Cara Agustin presented 21 pages, containing 78 conditions, a large percentage of them revised from those presented last month.

Five years in the making, Mokelumne Bluffs proposes to subdivide 137 acres into 98 single-family residential lots and two recreational parcels south of Highway 88, 3 miles east of Pine Grove.

Agustin began by explaining that confusion in the previous draft over names used for the developers and prospective purchasers had been largely eliminated. In Wednesday's draft, the applicants, John O'Sullivan and Krista Clem, would be referred to as "subdividers," while purchasers would be called "future lot owners."

The subdividers brought their infant daughter, Tessie O'Sullivan, to the meeting. Clem has been heard saying things like, "We know how long a process of this sort takes, so we want to get her involved as early as possible."

These designations seemed to lift the lid off a Pandora's Box of questions, concerning responsibility, oversight, obligations and decision making. Questions ranged from Who protects nesting birds to When will the traffic signal at Gayla Drive and Highway 88 be installed, with dozens more along the way.

The atmosphere was generally congenial, with only rare moments of contention.

"The final EIR is a lie right now," said Infusino. "It says there is no phasing plan, but there is a phasing plan."

Indeed there is a phasing plan, which caused lengthy discussion of phasing details and potential consequences of the plan. Traffic on Ranch Drive through Ranch House Estates will be increased. This will be a result of Ranch Drive's status as the main access to the 13 lots of Phase 1.

"You can't get certainty from Caltrans," said Clem, frustrated over the indecision forced upon the project by what many attendees agreed is the state Department of Transportation's unwillingness to adjust to timetables produced by others.

Infusino made numerous suggestions to the committee, attempting to protect unwary consumers from inadequate information. Replies from committee members and subdividers generally leaned toward inclusion of information in covenants, codes and restrictions, aka CC&Rs, or in packets provided by the real estate broker.

The conditions of approval will be recommended to the Amador County Planning Commission at its June 24 meeting.

Also on the agenda, but far less controversial, was a review of the purchase agreement between Amador County and Sierra Pacific Industries for 8.2 acres to be used for the future construction of a new county jail. The project location is in the southwestern portion of the old mill property, now known as Amador Central Business Park, near the recently constructed Amador County Health and Human Services Building in Sutter Creek.

This project seems headed for smooth sailing, if some solution can be found to the problem of wastewater disposal. At past committee meetings, Sutter Creek officials have painted a rather dismal picture of available wastewater disposal capacity.

Committee Chair Mike Israel, director of the county's Environmental Health Department, asked whether the Amador Water Agency would have a problem providing water and wastewater service.

"Short term, yes, long term, no," replied AWA representative John Griffin. Griffin explained that agency plans to construct a regional wastewater plant should reach fruition within three to five years.

Infusino asked whether Gold Rush Ranch and Golf Resort had been notified of the jail construction project, which would be nearby.

"They will be," said county Planner Heather Anderson, "within 30 days prior to this going to the board."

One other matter of major concern came before the committee.

Plymouth Sand and Gravel, located off Highway 16 near its intersection with Old Sacramento Road, is seeking a use permit to process, stockpile and sell recycled aggregate.

Plymouth Sand and Gravel representative Gordon Vicini made a convincing case to the committee, citing the company's 20-year history and the increasing awareness and uses of aggregate made from ground-up concrete and asphalt. Vicini also mentioned the slowness of this construction-related business.

The committee approved his request.