Ordinance change would allow overnight stays at wineries

At its latest meeting on Tuesday, March 14, the Planning Commission recommended that the Amador County Board of Supervisors change the county’s winery ordinance to allow wineries to offer detached rooms for overnight stays. The room would be like cabins or hotel rooms without kitchens and could only have short-term stays of less than 30 days. There are other restrictions, including a 20-acre minimum and setback requirements from property lines. The Board of Supervisors will have the final vote on the proposal.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the Planning Commission approved a modification to an existing use permit for a food truck in Pine Grove to also include a coffee wagon addition.

A proposal to create a special protection zone around the Eagle’s Nest Airport in the west end of Amador County was continued to the April Planning Commission meeting at the request of nearby property owners. The airport zoning requires notice to new property owners of the airport and its effects, puts restrictions and lighting requirements on buildings taller than 35 feet in height and limits parcels to 40 acres or more in size in the area around the airport. Neighbors raised concerns over the impact to their properties and the limited amount of time to review the proposal and the Planning Commission responded by continuing the item to its next meeting.