Down Sizing Equals Workload Increase?

Sonora, CA -- A Tuolumne County Task Force looking at ways to streamline the review process for projects says cutting down on the number of planning commissions in the county won't increase the work load. The group met yesterday to crunch the numbers. They say by eliminating some commissions and regulations it shouldn't increase Tuolumne County Planning Commission's duties.

Task Force member Evan Royce says, "The elimination of the design reviews for residential building permit, mean the aesthetics aspects of a design like color, could be done. We feel health and safety is the most important role that the county plays in this so by eliminating the design reviews and the area commissions it brings down their workload substantially. We do feel by consolidating the workload would be handled by just the Tuolumne County Planning Commission."

County records show that, at previous meetings, the Task Force has agreed by consensus to recommend the elimination of the Jamestown Area Planning Commission, Columbia Area Planning Commission, Southern Tuolumne County Planning Commission, Muller Subdivision Design Review Committee, Phoenix Lake Country Club Estates Design Review Committee, Tuolumne Design Review/Planning Advisory Committee, and the Twain Harte Design Review/Planning Advisory Committee.

Before making a final recommendation, the Task Force has asked for additional information about the anticipated increase in the Tuolumne County Planning Commission's workload if the changes are approved. Whether to eliminate any of the commissions will be a decision eventually made by the Board of Supervisors. That vote will likely be within the next few months.

Written by Tracey Petersen

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