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Amador General Plan Update: Economic |
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Friday, 27 March 2009 |
 Amador County – The Amador County General Plan Update panel discuss the economic and governance elements of the draft this week, looking at ways to minimize liability, while promoting the economy and also the communications of political entities. Jeff Henderson, consultant for the company EDAW, presented both elements, saying the economic element was the most common one allowed under state general plan law. He said some noted that it may have policies that conflict with other elements of the draft general plan. Supervisor Richard Forster warned not to get too specific on details, and Supervisor John Plasse echoed that. Plasse said “we can’t call out specific industries.” He said in recent court cases, “policies have been ruled on as being enforceable and litigate-able.” Plasse said the county needs to “keep policies general enough so that they are not litigate-able.” Supervisor Brian Oneto said he like the idea of “streamlining the permitting process,” through policy changes, so that county department staffs can serve the public more speedily. Oneto also said he would like to see some agricultural areas get infrastructure for potable water. Commissioner Ray Ryan agreed, saying if the county was going to promote agri-business, it needed water services. Commissioner Andy Byrne said he would like to see a balance of tertiary water service extensions, with language to protect natural beauty. Henderson noted the comments and said he thought direction would be to have wording that supports improvement of infrastructure to support economic development and agri-business. The draft economic element’s support included “communications infrastructure, in areas designated for commercial or industrial development.” Kathy Allen of Citizens For Smart Growth recommended the panel look at comments gathered by the county 2 years ago. She said the comments would likely impact all elements of the General Plan. She said Wednesday she “reread those comments, and I am concerned that some of the things that the public put down are not being addressed.” On the economic element, Allen said removing the work “protect” was against the nature of those comments, which commonly used the word. She recommended the panel “look at those comments again. Many people can’t be here because they are working.” Allen said: “Tourism has a huge impact on peoples’ businesses that can’t be here today, but their desires expressed in those meetings should be considered.” Story by Jim Reece.
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