Sonora City Council To Revisit Lowe’s Project
Sonora, CA — In closed session this evening the Sonora City Council will be asked to give City Attorney Richard Matranga the authorization to sign an agreement that has been reached with the Tuolumne County Citizens For Responsible Growth.
If Matranga signs the agreement, the Citizens’ appeal will be tabled and the Lowe’s project will then take a major step forward.
City Administrator Greg Applegate says the issues raised by the Citizens group have dealt with environmental and not monetary issues.
Applegate added that there are two major reasons for such an extended period of time being taken in completing this project. First, the number of attorneys (City of Sonora, California Gold Development Corporation, Lowe’s and the Tuolumne County Citizens For Responsible Growth) who must review every change in the involved issues.
Secondly Applegate comments, "The entire environmental process must be evaluated through the eyes of the legislators. It has become so burdensome, so difficult, so litigious. It’s really unfortunate because a project of this nature should not have to take four to five years to gain approval."
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
