Ione planning commission approves Picnic Hill improvements using water-efficiency grant

The Ione Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a site-plan permit for the Picnic Hill improvements at Howard Park, authorizing staff to file a California Environmental Quality Act notice of exemption and move ahead with grant-funded irrigation and accessibility upgrades.

City planner Susan Peters told the commission the city entered into a grant agreement with the Amador Water Agency to fund water-use efficiency work at Howard Park, and that the Picnic Hill plan was reworked away from full turf replacement toward pathways, irrigation repairs and an amphitheater-style event area. "The city recently entered into a grant agreement with the Amador Water Agency, to make water use efficiency improvements at Howard Park," Peters said during her staff report.

The project, as presented, would remove turf in the Picnic Hill area, repair leaking irrigation, add Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant pathways and parking, and construct tiered seating and event space intended for concerts, weddings and community gatherings. Peters said staff considered the plan categorically exempt under CEQA guidelines (sections 15301, 15303 and 15304) and recommended adoption of Resolution PC 2025-02 approving the site plan permit and directing staff to file a notice of exemption.

Thomas Borg, president of Axios Homes, described his companyand contractor partnersvolunteering time and in-kind services to stretch grant dollars. "When we first learned that the city had received a grant, we were intrigued by that and I immediately approached the city to actually see if we could help in any way to give back," he said, explaining design choices such as terraced seating and low-water grapevine arbors to provide shade and reduce irrigation needs.

Speakers and public commenters pressed staff about trees, staging, and the project timetable. Peters said an arborist had been brought in to identify hazardous trees and that the design seeks to retain mature oaks where feasible. Regarding timing, staff and the Amador Water Agency emphasized a tight end-of-year deadline to obligate grant funds; a meeting participant later characterized the grant total as "about $985,000." Peters and staff said the Amador Water Agency will help front reimbursements so the city can proceed without long waits for state payments.

After public comment and questions from commissioners, the commission voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution PC 2025-02 and approve the site plan permit for the Picnic Hill improvements. The resolution directs staff to file the CEQA notice of exemption and proceed toward contracting and implementation under the grant timetable.

The project description and recommended findings are recorded in the staff report; staff said more detailed engineering, cost estimates and construction phasing would follow as the city and contractor finalize procurement and grant compliance requirements.