Alpine OKs changes to general plan

Changes to Alpine County's version of a master plan were approved by supervisors at their regular meeting on Tuesday.

Alpine supervisors adopted amendments to the county's general plan including the land use element, and addressed community character; public facilities/services and growth management.

The board's action capped a three-year effort that was spurred by community concern with potential future growth on the east side of the county including the Markleeville, Woodfords, Mesa Vista/River Ranch, and Hope Valley areas.

County staff estimated a potential for more than 4,000 dwelling units in this area. This compares to a population of more than 1,200 people today and about 1,700 dwelling units in all of Alpine County including Bear Valley and Kirkwood on the county's western boundary.

Three community workshops and multiple public work sessions with the Alpine County Planning Commission to hear the public's concerns and draft the amendments were held beginning in the fall of 2005.

This culminated in the planning commission's unanimous recommendation to adopt the amendments on Dec. 4, 2008. Following the board's action, Supervisor Don Jardine of Markleeville thanked the community, planning commission and community development staff for their efforts and perseverance.

The new community character section of the plan emphasizes maintaining the rural nature of the county and ensuring that new development is compatible with existing communities. The public facilities/services section sets minimum requirements in key areas including fire protection, emergency response, water supply and wastewater treatment.

As an example, most new subdivisions will have to provide at least 30,000 gallons of water storage for firefighting.

Under the plan, most new development must be within a quarter mile of existing communities. The plan also limits the number of new subdivision lots that can be created on an annual basis. A new county ordinance will be required to put the subdivision lot limit in place.

The community development staff expects to begin working on this ordinance in the next few months. The public can obtain information on the adopted amendments and when to expect public hearings on the ordinance by contacting the Community Development Department in Woodfords at (530) 694-2140.