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C a l i f o r n i a ’ s O l d e s t N e w s pa p e r – E s t. 18 51
Homeless shelter options to be discussed
Volume 170 • Issue 140 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Monday, November 29, 2021
Hole-y moly
News release The Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County and Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce will present a community forum on homeless shelter options at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2. The nonpartisan forum will take place at the Food Bank of El Dorado County, 4550 Business Drive in Shingle Springs. The forum will provide an opportunity for county officials to provide information about the programs under consideration and answer questions from the public. Speakers will include Sheriff John D’Agostini and Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton. Assemblymember Kevin Kiley will provide his perspective on homeless issues at the state level. Other elected and appointed officials have also been invited. The forum will be moderated by Taxpayers Association President Andy Nevis. El Dorado County has seen an increase in homelessness over the past several years, with impacts to businesses, residents and public safety. A federal court decision prevents cities and counties from enforcing anti-camping rules on public property unless a shelter is available, raising the urgency for the county to develop a shelter. The state of California has made funding available through the Project Roomkey and Project Homekey programs. Additionally, the Board of Supervisors recently discussed a proposal from D’Agostini and community members to develop a managed campground, dubbed HOSTESS. However, county residents near potential and rumored shelter locations have expressed concerns about impacts to their communities. For more information on Thursday’s forum contact Nevis at (916) 837-1385 or the Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce at (530) 677-8000.
Hangtown Creek claims more footing as pavement in the parking lot near the Main Street Tap House in downtown Placerville gave way the weekend of Nov. 13. Doug Veerkamp Engineering crews pulled the failed pavement out of the creek and back to where it is still supported and will do restoration work on the cityowned property. Months ago signs of the asphalt beginning to collapse prompted fencing off the area.
Mountain Democrat photos by Krysten Kellum
New fire engines ready to roll in El Dorado Hills Noel Stack Managing editor The El Dorado Hills Fire Department held “pushing” ceremonies for two new fire engines Nov. 15 and Nov. 17. Stations 84 and Station 86 welcomed the 2020 Pierce Enforcer Type I wildland urban interface engines, which cost approximately $755,000 each and took about 14 months to build. “These new engines will be put to great use here in El Dorado Hills because of the high angle of approach and departure that will assist with traveling up and down steep driveways and unimproved roads,” said EDH Fire Chief Maurice Johnson. “The increased horsepower and special tuned gearing will greatly increase performance in the steep terrain. Finally, both engines have the latest in safety technology, including passenger airbags, independent suspension and a collision avoidance system that can alert motorist of the approaching fire engine.” The brand-new Engine 84 and Engine 86 will serve the community for about 15 years on the front line and then go into back-up status. PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Courtesy photo
EDH Firefighters, EDH Fire Board directors and community members push the brand-new Engine 84 into the Francisco Drive station during a special ceremony Nov. 15.
El Dorado County updates ADU ordinance Eric Jaramishian Staff writer El Dorado County’s zoning ordinance will receive an update relating to accessory dwelling units to comply with state law changes that aim to give California’s housing supply a boost. An ADU is a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a single-family home. They can be attached, detached or contained within an existing building and are allowed either as new construction or conversion of existing permitted spaces such as a garage, workshop, barn or pool house, among
others. ADUs are more commonly called granny flats, multigenerational units, in-law suites or backyard cottages. Housing, Community and Economic Development analyst C.J. Freeland gave a report on new ADU rules in California to the Board of Supervisors Nov. 16, which prohibit local agencies from imposing strict requirements exceeding state mandates and prohibit local agencies charging impact fees for ADUs 750 square feet or smaller. County ADU ordinance revisions include an update to the Meyers Area Plan to allow ADUs in multi-family
residential and mixed-use zones, revisions to maximum square footage for new detached ADU construction per parcel size, revisions to parking requirements and owner-occupancy requirements and the addition of junior ADUs. A junior ADU is no more than 500 square feet contained within an existing or proposed single-family dwelling, including attached garages. For JADUs, a kitchen with appliances, owner occupancy and deed restriction provisions are required. Only one JADU is allowed per lot. Owner-occupancy is not required n
See ordinance, page A7
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