Policy A-5

Improve Mariposa’s Investment and Development Climate.
Many areas with high standards for development are viewed as being “no growth”. While in some cases communities have used development standards to discourage growth generally, Mariposa County is not a “no growth” dominated community. The “no growth” image, however, is projected to prospective investors due to permit processes which involve lengthy and complicated public permitting systems which do not rely on objective standards of review and approval. Development permit systems need to produce predictable and consistent results.

The predictability, consistency and fairness of the development permit system is one of the principal means by which investors evaluate investment opportunities in any community. If Mariposa County is to be effective in attracting quality development investment, which can afford to address identified social, economic and environmental objectives of the County, present rules and standards must be revised.

Quantifiable Objective:
By the Year 2000, the Mariposa County EDC’s objective is to:
1. Prepare and periodically review, clear quantifiable social, economic and environmental standards for development proposed in Mariposa County.
2. Propose an amendment to Mariposa County development regulations which eliminate the need to unnecessarily submit development proposals to discretionary permit review procedures,; propose regulations which limit discretionary permit review procedures to adopted and specific social, economic and environmental standards.


Implementing Programs & Actions
A-5a Establish a committee of business, environmental, community and government leaders to review and propose revisions to County permit regulations.
A focus group of community leaders should be established by the Mariposa County EDC for the purpose of reviewing, and proposing revisions to, Mariposa County development review regulations including zoning standards, subdivision standards, improvement standards and others.

A-5b Provide a public forum for the development of social, economic and environmental standards for the County.
In cooperation with County government, schools, social organizations and the general public, sponsor community forums to provide input in the formulation of a set of objective and measureable standards by which public agencies should evaluate growth impacts of development proposals.

A-5c Encourage the County to update its 1980 General Plan to reflect current attitudes and philosophies of the community regarding growth and development.
The present Mariposa County General Plan is in need of updating and revision. Since its original drafting in the late 1970’s many changes have occurred in Mariposa County which have resulted in making many of the Plan’s provisions outdated. The process of updating the General Plan will necessarily involve a broad spectrum of the public which will result in clarifying community ideals and goals for future development. This process will minimize speculation regarding community “growth” and “no growth” attitudes and provide clear guidelines for future development and investment in the community. The Mariposa County EDC will encourage the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and Staff to undertake this project and become involved in the process of the update.