Development Projects On County Agenda

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne County Supervisors will kick-off the New Year by taking action on several development projects.

The Supervisors will hold the first meeting of 2014 on Tuesday. The Board will hold a public hearing about the Red Tail Ridge Subdivision. The project was approved by the Board in August of 2011, but was somewhat derailed by a lawsuit filed the following month by residents that live in the nearby Quail Ridge Ranch subdivision, challenging that aspects of the approval were in violation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The County later approved a settlement agreement in January of last year, and there will be a vote on revising the subdivision map in response to the settlement. It includes altering planned roadways, including development of a pedestrian walkway, and creating additional road maintenance responsibilities for the subdivision.

On a similar matter, the Board will vote on issues related to the Cooperstown Quarry project. It was also held by a lawsuit, and the county later approved a settlement agreement. The project proponents are John and Trisha Gardella. One of the changes includes limiting night-time sound generating activities.

In addition, the Supervisors will hold a public hearing regarding an appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to approve an expansion of the boundary for Blue Mountain Minerals. The Planning Commission approved unanimously the expansion of an agricultural fill area by 27 acres. The Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center argues that the project should require a full Environmental Impact Report that looks at different alternatives.

The Board of Supervisors will also vote on approving a new Chairperson for 2014. Over the past year the role has been held by District Two Supervisor Randy Hanvelt. The Supervisors typically use a rotating system to select a Chairperson, and the current Vice Chair is District Three Supervisor Evan Royce.

Tuesday’s meeting will begin at 9am.