Visioning and Community Plan Efforts to Make a Better Valley Springs

The Greater Valley Springs Advisory Group (GVSAG) seeks community participation to support a unique vision for Valley Springs in the Calaveras County General Plan. GVSAG drafted seven topical visions that are posted on its webpage, www.gvsag.org, for public comment and holds open meetings for discussion and further comment.  These topical visions are the basis for an overall vision that highlights the unique features of Valley Springs. 

GVSAG sought and received guidance from the Community Development Agency to
help create a vision, so it may be considered for inclusion in the County General Plan.  A community survey will assure that the proposed vision statement represents a broad spectrum of opinions. GVSAG monitors community planning and supports a vision for Valley Springs that is representative of a complete array of community interests.

A comprehensive vision is the first step in creating an updated Community Plan that the County Board of Supervisors can approve and implement in the decades ahead. The Community Plan takes the vision to the next level of specificity.  It will enable new development and growth to be consistent with our community's vision of its future. It is the means to address the pressures of development on our community.  GVSAG will work with the Community Development Agency, Calaveras Council of Governments, planning consultants, the community, and stakeholders to create a community planning document that reflects the new vision statement.

GVSAG will continue to host community meetings and encourage public participation throughout the community planning document development process.  GVSAG anticipates grant funds to develop the document that will be the basis for a new community plan that can be presented to the Board of Supervisors for their approval.  Following adoption of an updated community plan, GVSAG will be attentive to the needs of community members in monitoring its implementation, because the people are the "experts" in planning our community.

GVSAG invites your participation.  Contact Mike Hazelhofer at 209-743-3987, email info@gvsag.org or visit www.gvsag.org.  Your contributions may be sent to the Greater Valley Springs Advisory Group, P.O. Box 1071, Valley Springs, CA, 95252.  Our meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the 4th Thursday of each month at the Community United Methodist Church of Valley Springs, 135 Laurel St.  A collective voice for the future of our community is stronger than a single voice.  Please join us.

Mission Statement & Philosophy

Mission Statement: 
It is the mission of the Greater Valley Springs Advisory Group to promote a healthy, safe, attractive and sustainable future for the Valley Springs area through open and ongoing community participation.

Philosophy:
The GVSAG is an ad hoc group of residents and stakeholders who recognize the inevitability of growth in the Valley Springs community and Calaveras County as a whole.  The GVSAG is inclusive and encourages broad public participation in community planning and in the general plan update.  While we embrace growth, we appreciate the small-town rural atmosphere, which is enhanced by agriculture.  We will work in cooperation with local government officials and other decision makers to ensure adequate infrastructure and services for our community.  We support:

• retail and commercial services in accessible community centers;  

• parks, preserves, and facilities necessary for children, youth, and adults to engage in organized sports and spontaneous activities;

• an identified town center from which to grow;

• increased density and infill development within community center boundaries;

• preservation and revitalization of the historic “downtown” area;

• housing for all income levels, age groups, and special populations;

•  “green” environmentally responsible site design and building and architectural standards

• tourism, outdoor recreation, education, local independently owned businesses, agriculture, and light industry; 

• protection and expansion of open space, wildlife habitat, and critical environmental areas; and

• health, wellness, safety and security.