Land Conservation Benefits from Economic Downturn

Peter Fimrite, Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, December 30, 2011 Tough economic times have been a bonanza for land trusts and nonprofit conservation groups, which have recently been buying rights to California redwood groves, beaches, oak savannahs and timberland at a feverish pace. The shopping spree has resulted in the preservation of hundreds of thousands of acres of the state’s most pristine and picturesque landscapes at a time when the country... Read More

Dates for you calendar….

Some important dates for you calendar: Next Board of Supervisors Study Session on the General Plan: February 14, 2012 EBMUD Public Hearings on the Revised Draft PEIR: January 11, 6:30 PM, City of Jackson Civic Center January 12, 6:30 PM, San Andreas Town Hall January 17, 6:30 PM, EBMUD Administrative Office, Oakland Links to upcoming meeting agendas: Board of Supervisors Agenda for January 10, 2012     click here Planning Commission Agenda for January... Read More

Board Says No to Economic Development Element in General Plan

Written by Sean Janssen, The Union Democrat December 14, 2011 03:50 pm The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Tuesday directed staff working to complete a land-use document for planning through 2035 to forgo an economic development element in the final draft of the plan. The economic development element once championed by business interests did not live up to expectations as generated in an incomplete form by former consultants Mintier Harnish... Read More

BOS General Plan Study Session Date Changed

The date of the next General Plan Study Session has been changed to February 14, 2012.  Watch here for details as the date gets closer.  Read More

General Plan Update Action Alert

The Board of Supervisors is holding a General Plan Update Workshop on Tuesday, December 13, at 1:30 pm, at the Board Chambers. The Staff Report provides direction for dealing with the Draft Water Element and the Draft Economic Development Element. You can download the agenda and board packet including staff comments and draft documents here. You’ll need to scroll about 8/10s of the way through the packet to the General Plan Workshop item.  You... Read More

City Approves Sign Plan, Waives Car Lot Fee

Written by Sean Janssen, The Union Democrat December 07, 2011 01:25 pm The Angels Camp City Council approved two items Tuesday night it hopes will have a positive impact on a struggling business economy. Council members voted 4-0 to approve a “wayfinding” plan featuring a sign system and traffic calming devices in the historic downtown district designed utilizing a $35,000 community development block grant. The signs and kiosks envisioned in... Read More

General Plan Workshop & Planning Commission Schedule & Information

December 13, 2011 – The Board of Supervisors will be participating in a Study Session lead by the Planning Department on the Water and Economic Elements of the General Plan at 1:30 pm. You can download the agenda and board packet here. December 15, 2011 – The Planning Commission will be considering several projects involving zoning & general plan amendments, variances, etc.  You can download the agenda and commission packet here. The... Read More

EBMUD Drops Plans to Expand Pardee!

Planning News from MyValleySprings.com December 5, 2011 Community opposition in Amador and Calaveras counties helped quash EBMUD plans to expand Pardee Dam and flood the Mokelumne River! The revised draft PEIR will be released December 6. Public meetings on the environmental report will be held in Calaveras and Amador counties and in Oakland in January. Read more: Foothill Conservancy News Release EBMUD Press Release SF Chronicle News Article Visit... Read More

Significant CEQA Streamlining Reform Bills Enacted

Courtesy of Meyers / Nave Read the original article here. This is a little bit dated but some of these new regulations and interpretations will take effect on January 1, 2012. October 24, 2011 Three important reform bills designed to streamline California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) processing and review for certain classes of projects have been enacted and will take effect January 1, 2012.  SB 226 creates a new exemption for urban infill... Read More

Rebranding Planning so the Public Understands

Robin Rather, CEO of Collective Strength, speaks about how planners can build support for planning in their communities and counter critics. “I think the attacks are coming more frequently and with more pain, because planners have been succeeding. The idea of sustainable communities has really taken off in place after place, and comprehensive planning is really catching on around the country, and success breeds antagonism,” says... Read More