Amador Planning Commission holds two public hearings/workshop related to zone amendments.

The Amador County Planning Commission will hold two public hearings May 20 related to amendments to Title 19 (Zoning) of the Amador County Code. The hearings will be held at the County Administration Center's Board of Supervisors Chambers located at 810 Court Street in Jackson. The hearings are scheduled for 7 p.m. or as soon thereafter as can be heard.

The first hearing will pertain to the amendment of current County Code Chapter 19.48 General Provisions and Exceptions, Section 19.48.160, Sea-Land Storage Container Regulations. On May 16, 2006, the code was amended to include regulations relating to sea-land storage containers to encourage appropriate locations and uses for such containers and protect the visual quality of the county. Since the adoption of the ordinance, existing and potential situations have surfaced that suggested the ordinance may need to be updated. At the May 22, 2007 board of supervisors meeting, the board adopted a resolution of intention to initiate the proceedings to review and possibly amend the ordinance. On Sept. 25, 2007, the board held a joint workshop with the planning commission to collect input from the public.

This matter has proven to be of great interest to the community. Therefore, the planning commission invites all interested persons to attend and participate in the public hearing. The May 20 meeting is another opportunity for the public to voice concerns and offer possible solutions to the issues regarding the use of sea-land storage containers.

The second item is intended as a public workshop, but may result in a public hearing if the commission feels prepared to make a recommendation on the matter to the board of supervisors. Staff will present a proposed new county code to establish a design review process and associated standards for development of commercial, high-density multi-family residential (more than 4 units), public/institutional, and manufacturing zone districts. The design guidelines are intended to provide project developers, designers, and property owners with an understanding of Amador County’s goals for attaining high quality, aesthetically compatible and appropriate development projects that fit the unique and storied character of Amador County.

Copies of both proposals are available on the planning department's Web site at www.co.amador.ca.us/depts/planning or by contacting the department at 223-6380.

Anyone unable to attend but wishing to comment on either of these items may submit written statements to the Planning Commission, in care of the Planning Department, 810 Court Street, Jackson, CA 95642. Letters of comment will be included in the staff reports for these two items, which will be available by Friday, May 16 on the County's Web site at www.co.amador.ca.us in the Agendas and Minutes section.