Residents urge Calaveras supervisors to finish and strengthen open-space plan

A series of residents and planning advocates used the board's public-comment period to press the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors to complete overdue updates to the county's open-space plan and to adopt a clear implementation schedule.

Speakers representing the Calaveras Planning Coalition and local communities argued that the open-space element must meet statutory requirements and address equitable access, climate resilience, and wildlife connectivity referenced as the "Room to Roam" act. Linda Deasom, speaking for the Planning Coalition, said the county's planning department should prioritize finishing the update and that the county missed a statutory deadline cited in the public comments.

Speakers recommended a landscape-level approach, use of common conservation tools (permanent conservation easements, clearer guidelines for clustering and zoning application), and an implementation timeline that would help the county compete for state open-space funding. Several speakers warned that failure to update the plan could jeopardize local control and limit access to state funds.

Board members acknowledged the comments and said staff would consider the priorities raised; speakers asked the board to add implementation and schedule direction to forthcoming strategic planning work.

The comments are recorded in the meeting minutes; the board did not vote on plan amendments during the Jan. 13 session but received public testimony and staff acknowledgment of the concerns.