Tuolumne Supervisors Discuss Controversial Columbia Apartments

Columbia, CA — Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors will decide whether to rescind their earlier approval of the complex at today’s meeting.

Last Wednesday the land owner, Golden State Holdings and Developer, RC Equities, submitted a letter to the county’s legal counsel asking that the Board rescind their approval this past May for the apartment complex. The 80 unit complex would have spread over 5.3 acres at the northwest corner of the intersection of Union Hill Road and Parrotts Ferry Road. The letter stated that the lawsuit filed by Citizens for Responsible Growth was not worth the legal expense and called it “a waste of time and money.”

The citizens group challenged the County’s approval under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Board of Supervisors will consider reversing approval of a Conditional Use Permit, Design Review Permit, General Plan Amendment and zone change to build the apartments.

In addition, the Board will take up the issue of whether to continue the Local State of Emergency declaration due to the Rim Fire. They will also review the emergency action regarding the Ackerson Creek Crossing Replacement due to Rim Fire damage and decide whether or not to continue that action.

The Board’s meeting is scheduled for 9 am in the Board of Supervisors Chambers in Sonora.