Meyers Residents Turn Out to Fight For their Community

Information was circulating that Meyers was going to be taken over by large parking garages and other unwanted development including a Athlete's Village or Basecamp type feature, much of what was created by a now buried Catalyst Plan. "The Catalyst Project is dead," El Dorado County Supervisor Norma Santiago told the packed house at the California Conservation Corp (CCC) building in Meyers on Wednesday night. Santiago said she got caught up in the excitement about having an exciting plan for Meyers and never meant to cause anxiety, fear and divisiveness with the Catalyst Project. "For that I am truly, truly sorry and I take full responsibility."

Almost 200 people showed up to listen to what the Meyers Community Advisory Council was going say about the new Meyers Area Plan. The uniqueness of Meyers will be highlighted and will incorporate the required TRPA Plan and County general plan and ordinances as the Meyers Plan is created. The meeting facilitators asked the crowd if they wouldn't rather have just one set of clear & simple rules when building or remodeling.

Why update? The current plan was created in 1993 and was originally supposed to be the guide for a 5 year period. A new plan will provide consistency, simplify rules, have local control and create a community vision.

As evident in other community workshops, residents just want to have a say in the future of their neighborhood and community. During Wednesday's meeting people were told that suggestions for the new plan include having more public pedestrian areas, public gathering areas and an incentive program for fixing up properties to fit the new plan. Another suggestion is to have county fees waived should a property provide access to the Pat Lowe Trail, or if it exceeds energy efficiency standards or if the building improves aesthetics.

The height of buildings and maximum density are another hot topic for Meyers. The new proposed plan expands where motels can be placed. Currently they can only be where the current CCC building is. The current drafted plan allows for 40 rooms per acre in the approved area unless incentives are utilized, then it's 30 rooms per acre. Apartments and condos may grow to 25 units per acre from the current 15 per acre. 20 units would be allowed without incentives. The plan is suggesting to have building height max to be 35-45 feet (Lira's is 36 feet).

The ending theme of the night was teamwork, working together for a result that everyone can live with, and continued participation in the process.

There will be another public workshop on March 19th at the CCC from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.