This process has been in the works for some time and there are still issues to be resolved between property owners and other interests, hopefully finding a balance between them which allows for continued development and the protection of the natural landscape desired by the residents.
Placer board gets plan to preserve 50,000 acres
By Art Campos - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, January 23, 2007
A controversial 50-year plan to preserve more than 50,000 acres in western Placer County has reached the Board of Supervisors for a possible vote today.
The plan has been lauded by supporters, who say it would clearly define growth and conservation areas, but attacked by farmers and landowners, who say the proposal would take away their property rights.
Supporters say it would speed up the permitting process between developers and state and federal agencies in charge of protecting the environment. They also say it would create balance between development and open space and provide Placer with a contiguous buffer at its western borders.
But farmers, landowners and developers in the proposed conservation areas claim the Placer County Conservation Plan, or PCCP, will restrict their options on how to use the land.
They also say the conservation area will lead to inequities in land values. Owners of properties with vernal pools or protected trees could sell their acreage to developers who need mitigation land to satisfy federal or state requirements.
"Some of the folks in the (conserved areas) have no vernal pools or blue oaks," said Supervisor Bruce Kranz. "Their land has no high value under this plan."
