Alpine County to address growth management

The Alpine County Planning Commission is holding a public workshop to discuss proposed changes in the county general plan 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Turtle Rock Community Center.

So why should you be interested in that? Well, if you're interested in growth management in the upper Carson Valley you might come for that reason, whether you're a resident of the county or not. If you're familiar with the beauty and character of eastern Alpine County and would like to see that beauty and character protected, you might come for that reason. If you or someone you know has in mind to develop some of the land in that area for a residential subdivision, you might come for that reason, too.

Or if you just want a bit more education and have no other plans for an otherwise slow Thursday night, you might come to Turtle Rock Park on Highway 89, about four miles south of the intersection of Highways 88 and 89 at Woodfords.

One of the key topics of the workshop is community character. The county wants to protect the community character, but what exactly is the community character?

In an excerpt from the package of information available at the workshop, the physical character of the Mesa Vista/River Ranch area is described this way: "This area is located northeast of Woodfords along the Highway 88, Emigrant Trail and Foothill Road corridors. The area is dominated by brush covered alluvial fans, mesa or bench land areas and valley bottoms that extend from the base of the Carson Range to the West Fork Carson River. The defining development character elements of this large area are low density, rural subdivisions interspersed with agricultural lands and undeveloped areas. Residential lot sizes typically range from 2 to 20 acres with some smaller lots, particularly in the Paynesville and Fredericksburg areas. In addition to single family residences, many lots include outbuildings and areas for horses or other livestock. Most of the residential development in the Mesa Vista/River Ranch area dates from the 1970s and later. Building types include ranch style and more contemporary styles typical of many suburban areas. Large custom designed homes are present in many of the rural subdivisions."

The socio/economic and human elements of the community character of the region are also described. Here's another excerpt: "With a permanent population density of less than two persons per square mile, Alpine County is clearly a rural community. Counties with population densities of less than two persons per square miles are often characterized as 'frontier counties.' These frontier counties usually have very low populations, minimal services and businesses available locally, and are usually distant from major metropolitan areas and other significant population centers. This description fits Alpine County."

Other key topics are: public facilities/services, growth management policies, and rate of growth implementation.

What would you think of a policy that would limit the creation of new residential parcels to no more than 5 percent per year of the current number of parcels in the county? That's up for discussion.

What policies would have to be satisfied to get a change in zoning? That's part of the collection of policies that will be discussed, too.

Be there. It will be interesting, I guarantee it.