Developing Mutual Support on Community-Wide Planning Issues

DETAILS OF PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN

General Plan Transportation and Circulation Element Proposed Changes Supervisors are considering revising policies, and corresponding table(s), to conform to GP policies and directives that allow for narrower streets and road ways than are now allowed under EDC design standards. The purpose of these changes is to support the development of housing that is affordable to all income levels, not just developments that accommodate high-income consumers – but also those with family incomes of $80,000 or less.

Supervisors are considering amendments to numerous policies that would clean up various language ambiguities. Supervisors are considering amending policy to allow for coordination of regional projects to be delivered on a schedule agreed to by related regional agencies and therefore not subject to meeting the scheduling requirements of the policies of this General Plan as stated.

Supervisors are considering amending policies with clean-up language to ensure consistency with subsequently adopted plans. “Adopted Plans” include Specific Plans and other planned areas that have initiated their own guidelines which were approved by the local approving authority, so they’ve already undergone the process of complying with the General Plan and/or have adopted mitigations to off-set issues as necessitated by all local and environmental regulations and mandates.

Supervisors are considering amending General Plan policies to provide more flexibility when requiring sidewalks. As the community has worked with General Plan policies, it’s become apparent, especially with in-fill projects, that overriding mandates that require a developer to install sidewalks can be a detriment to public safety. For example, projects in-filling lots within a cul-d-sac or neighborhood street that is otherwise already built without sidewalks. To put sidewalks only in front of the remaining new homes being built – when there is no plan or financing to retrofit sidewalks for existing homes – is not conducive to good design or logic.

New Goal: Supervisors are considering adopting a new goal and associated policies that recognize the requirements of California Government Code §65080(b) (2) (1) implemented through the regional Metropolitan Transportation Plans to provide CEQA streamlining opportunities for qualified projects. In other words – the new goal and policies adapt local policies to comply with California State laws.

New Policy: Supervisors are considering a new policy that supports the development of new or substantially improved roadways to accommodate all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, children, older people, and disabled individuals, as well as motorists. This new policy is consistent with applicable state code requirements. It will also add an implementation measure to update the applicable design manuals and standard plans to incorporate elements in support of all users as required by California Assembly Bill 1358, the Complete Streets Act of 2008.

Public Services and Utilities Element Proposed Changes
Supervisors will consider amending policies (and tables where appropriate) to provide flexibility to achieve minimum level of service requirements consistent with other related policies, as well as amendments and policies that would increase flexibility for the connection to public water and wastewater systems, when projects are located in Community Regions.

Via: Business Alliance…Update March 15, 2012
The Business Alliance…Update is a bi-monthly publication of the El Dorado Business Alliance (BA). The BA is made up of the following organizations: El Dorado Builders’ Exchange, El Dorado County Association of Realtors (EDCAR), El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, North State Building Industry Association (NSBIA) and Shingle Springs-Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce. Web Address for Subscription Info: KathyeRussell@gmail.com