The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors decided to reschedule a public hearing on the controversial Cathey’s Valley Community Plan

CVCP). The decision came following the recommendation of the planning director, but no date was set for the next hearing.

Planning Director Kris Schenk told the board it is likely to be two or three months before the plan is ready to go forward into the public hearing stage. He explained that consultants are continuing to work on a revised work plan and the final supplement to the Environment Impact Report (EIR).

Schenk further explained that when the time comes for a public hearing, the board and concerned residents will have the zoning laws related to the plan, as well, “so there wouldn’t be any confusion, as there has been.”

There has been much more than confusion about the plan in recent weeks. The CVCP has created a firestorm of controversy in Cathey’s Valley, and Tuesday’s hearing was expected to draw a huge crowd. The planning department, however, notified residents that it intended to continue the hearing. Only about 10 people attended Tuesday’s abbreviated session.

Board Chairman Kevin Cann called the situation an “outpouring of confusion” that had at the very least, “eroded confidence” among residents about the CVCP. Noting the widespread concern, Cann agreed that the hearing should be rescheduled. “People want an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

Schenk said the process could now include a public workshop to make sure the policies are “as clear as they need to be to get at the confidence issue.”

Attorney Don Starchman told the board that the rescheduling was a good idea. “I think the final answer is where we’d all like to be,” he said. “The whole document needs to be opened and brought back to the board.”

Cann said the process will likely take place “significantly” in the future. “Whether that’s August or November, we will give substantial notice.”

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