Tuolumne County Supervisors Send Developer Back To The Drawing Board

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne County Supervisors are asking developers of a proposed affordable housing project in Columbia to revise their plan.

The board heard the plan yesterday at its weekly meeting. MSW Enterprises sought to have about four acres of commercially zoned land at Parrots Ferry and Damin Roads rezoned as high density residential to accommodate a 40-unit moderate-income housing complex.

Steve Sloan of MSW Enterprises says there is a dire need for affordable housing in Tuolumne county and it´s getting much more difficult for first-time homebuyers and moderate income residents to purchase homes.

County Officials say the moderate income level for the county is just under $36,000 a year. Each of the townhouses planned for the project would sell for about $240,000.

Those opposed to the development voiced numerous objections including traffic issues, the loss of a rare piece of commercially zoned land, preserving the historic nature of the Columbia State Park and strains on the infrastructure.

The project was previously rejected by the Columbia Planning Commission. The board will take up the issue again next week.