From the Calaveras Enterprise
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What's good, not so good, about District 2
By Bethany Monk
Posted: Monday, June 18, 2007 10:51 AM CDT
More than 250 residents attended a District 2 meeting on the general
plan update in Rail Road Flat Wednesday night. Enterprise photo by
Bethany Monk
Despite the sweltering heat in the Rail Road Flat Community Hall on
Wednesday, about 250 people attended the District 2 Calaveras County
general plan update workshop. Many sat at tables where bottled water was
provided. Others stood against the wall near the windows cracked open
for air. Those who couldn't find a space inside stood outside.
The meeting's facilitators, District 2 Supervisor Steve Wilensky and
Planning Commissioner Holly Mines, as well as consultant Mintier
Associates, led an interactive, informative workshop regarding the
general plan update.
After a PowerPoint presentation by Larry Mintier on the general plan
update process, Wilensky thanked the crowd for attending the meeting and
told them one of the reasons for the meeting was to identify problems
and existing issues and trends.
Meeting facilitators then asked citizens to meet with respective group
leaders representing their township.
Each group brainstormed their community's most important assets and
listed the most important issues to be addressed in the general plan
update in their community.
Representatives from each group presented their findings. Overall, most
residents said they valued lack of population density, the rural nature
of the foothills, and the open space.
A speaker from the Paloma group said "We still want to keep our open
space around us," adding that they would consider developing the town
center. "We want to keep the historic feel."
"We don't want to see a casino put in (Sheep Ranch)," the Sheep Ranch
representative told the crowd.
Mountain Ranch residents voiced concerns about road conditions, public
transit and emergency services.
Joe Pellegrino, who has lived in Mountain Ranch for four years, said
potential growth and poor road quality were most likely Mountain Ranch's
most important issues.
"There are so many accidents," he said during an interview.
"We would like no subdivisions and more services for the elderly," the
Glencoe/ Railroad Flat representative said.
Mike Janto, a West Point resident, said he attended the meeting because
he's interested in "the preservation of our community."
"We are elegantly uncivilized," he said, noting the hunting and fishing,
and other outdoor activities in the area.
Mokelumne Hill resident Courtney McDermont, who held her 8-month-old
daughter Collette outside the community hall during the meeting, said
she attended the meeting because she wants to be involved in community
planning.
"I don't like what's going on in Amador," she said, referring to strip
malls and new developments.
McDermont, who moved to Mokelumne Hill from Sutter Creek, said her
ancestors have lived in the Calaveras area since the Civil War.
"I don't want to see strip malls (in Calaveras)," she said.
After the meeting, Wilensky said he was impressed to see that "on the
hottest night of the year" so many people are dedicated to participating
in community planning.
"It's a constant process," he said, adding that he anticipates further
"robust community feedback."
"The voices of these small communities will be like the mouse that
roared," he said.
Future meetings will be posted on co.calaveras.ca.us.
