New Rules to Protect High Fire Hazard Areas

New state law imposes new planning requirements for general plans and subdivisions. Read Here: Amador Ledger Dispatch, November 12  Read More

Hardwood Advisory Committee Vacancies

There was a Public Notice for (5) vacancies on the Hardwood Advisory Committee in last Friday’s Enterprise Classifieds (along with other County committees and Commissions). The vacancies are for a Real Estate Agent, an Agricultural Advisor, a Member at Large, a Master Gardener representative, and a Cattlemen’s Association representative. The BOS “encourages interested and qualified persons to apply for membership.” “Ten... Read More

Tulloch rental rules approved

County moves ahead with permit fees Efforts to contain the clamor surrounding Lake Tulloch vacation rentals won a nod from Calaveras County planning commissioners last week, part of a 4-1 vote that sends additional proposed rental regulations on to the Board of Supervisors. Planners are looking to charge a $2,033 fee for each rental permit, which would allow for no more than two occupants per room and four parking spaces per dwelling and would be... Read More

DIVIDED CALAVERAS BOARD MOVES TO UPDATE GENERAL PLAN NEARLY $300K ADDED TO $1M ALREADY SPENT

SAN ANDREAS – A bitterly divided Calaveras County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to try yet again to complete a long-awaited update of the General Plan that guides development and land use. Supervisors have already spent nearly $1 million on consultants over six years and still don’t have a finished plan. Tuesday, they voted to spend an additional $299,960 to hire Raney Planning & Management of Sacramento to finish key environmental... Read More

Calaveras Supervisors Meeting: Important Planning Items

Supervisors meeting Tuesday Nov. 13 includes two important planning items (in addition to the RIM hearing): 1) approval of a consultant contract with Raney Planning and Management for $299,960 to complete the General Plan update and prepare the EIR, in 12 months. 2) approval of the Moke Hill Design Guidelines and formation of a Design Review Committee Below is the link to the Board submittal for professional services agreement approval, Agenda item... Read More

Study Released on the Value of the Williamson Act for Rangelands

According to the study, ranchers perceived the Williamson Act as an important component of their business. Ranchers would sell an average of about 30% of their rangeland under Williamson Act contract elimination including areas of high ecological value as identified by the Rangeland Coalition. California Rangeland conservation coalition, October 30. Download pdf: CalAG_WillaimsonAct_Wetzel_et_al_2012-1  Read More

Board of Supervisors return to the General Plan

Calaveras County supervisors will consider paying $300,000 in general plan consulting fees next week, part of a renewed effort that’s also seen the hiring of a new county planner in the past month. A new general plan has been in the works since 2008. Supervisors are being asked to award a $299,919 contract to Sacramento-based Raney Planning & Management for “consultant services to prepare portions of the General Plan Update” including work... Read More

Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Meeting

Premliminary Agenda for November 13 Board of Supervisors Meeting. Download here: 20121113a  Read More

Worst General Plan in the State

After more than six years of preparation and often-rancorous debate, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve what might be the worst General Plan Update in the State., so the Sierra Club Kern-Kaweah Chapter, and the City of Porterville sued the County, claiming violations of both State planning laws and the California Environmental Quality Act. Sierra Nevada Alliance newsletter Oct. 16  Read More

Williamson Act Payment Cuts

Williamson Act cuts threaten conservation areas Ranch lands provide a number of important ecosystem services that benefit people. State cuts in the Williamson Act payments to counties may induce ranchers to sell off some of their lands for development. UC press release, October 26  Read More