No Decision On The Columbia Apartment Project
Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne County Supervisors decided they needed more information on an apartment complex proposed off Parrotts Ferry Road before they can decide the fate of the project. At today’s meeting, the board received a letter regarding legal issues with the plan and decided they needed more time to review it. Supervisors also got some public opinions on the proposal which calls for six buildings to house 80 units.
One county resident submitted a petition signed by 54 residents in favor of the proposed development. He told the Supervisors only five people refused to sign the petition. He asked the board for their approval and support for these local jobs and housing opportunities.
County resident and Biologist Dan Morrison told the board to vote it down saying, “The traffic, I live just off Shaws Flat Road. Traffic on Highway 108 is unbearable. Look at downtown Sonora and that should be a good answer to this project, just say no. Water, we don’t know where we are going in water. We are in a drought right now. You’re going to start facing problems there. I just don’t see the point of making a scenic blight going into a very beautiful scenic state park.”
The plan by Golden State Holdings also calls for a clubhouse, swimming pool, detached vehicle garages, and covered carports. The project would be spread over 5.3 acres at the northwest corner of the intersection of Union Hill Road and Parrotts Ferry Road. Aspects of the plan failed to gain the endorsement of the Columbia Area Planning Commission last month so the developer appealed the issue to the Board of Supervisors. The plan needs a General Plan amendment, zoning change and special permits.
Today the board decided unanimously to have the staff review the project and bring them back more answers on issues concerning traffic, water, drainage, parking and zoning. The staff will report back to the board at a meeting scheduled for May 7th at 6:30p.m.
