Calaveras General Plan workshops set

By Mike Morris, The Union Democrat January 23, 2015 02:30 pm

A series of community workshops scheduled throughout the next month aim to inform the public about Calaveras County’s General Plan.

County staffers and the county’s Sonora-based consultant will be available to answer questions on the draft land-use plan and review a draft map. They also anticipate helping residents find the use designations for their properties.

The long-awaited document — which was released last month following years of planning and discussion — intends to guide the county’s growth and development over the next two decades.

“It’s an opportunity for the public to ask questions,” Calaveras County Planning Director Peter Maurer said of the workshops. “It’s informational.”

Open houses will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the following locations:

• Wednesday, San Andreas Town Hall.
• Feb. 4, Rancho Calaveras Property Owners Association Clubhouse.
• Feb. 9, Mokelumne Hill Town Hall.
• Feb. 11, West Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall.
• Feb. 17, Ebbetts Pass Fire Station in Arnold.
• Feb. 19, Copperopolis Armory.
• Feb. 23, Valley Springs Elementary School.

An additional workshop is also being planned for Murphys, although a date and location have yet to be confirmed.

This is the plan’s first draft and changes are expected once the public and county leaders have a chance to review the lengthy document and provide input, Mauer said.

The plan is divided into eight “elements,” or sections: land use, resource production, conservation and open space, noise, safety, public facilities and services, and circulation, which includes vehicle traffic as well as pedestrians, cyclists and transit users. A housing element is expected next month