Big Box Changes Approved
Sonora, CA– The Tuolumne County Supervisors unanimously approved to modify regulations placed on large scale retail development or “big box stores.”
Community Resources Director Bev Shane says the proposed changes to the ordinance that were endorsed by the Board of Supervisors Planning Committee June 16, include increasing the size of retail establishments from 60,000 square feet to 90,000 square feet and the removal of the economic analysis requirement.
“This ordinance has been to all four Planning Commissions.” said Shane. “The Jamestown area Planning Commission, the Southern Tuolumne County Planning Commission and the Tuolumne County Planning Commission all recommend approval of the ordinance as presented to them.”
Shane says the Columbia Area Planning Commission also supported the ordinance but recommended that for the C-1 Zoning District, the size restriction of 60,000 sq. ft. be retained as well as conditional uses.
“The Columbia Planning Commission rational was that their community of course is historic,” said Shane. “They were concerned about the scale of development and felt that it was important to have some type of permitting process such as a use permit in order to determine the appropriate location for these kind of facilities.”
The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted to adopt original modifications to the large scale retail ordinance 5-0.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
