While members of the Natural Resources Committee have spent the last six months focusing most of their attention on one major objective – to challenge the County’s NSCARP proposal – the Planning & Zoning Committee has worked on at least six projects. The P&Z Committee, co-chaired by Charlee Schanzer and Bill Smith, reviews applications for Use Permits within Dry Creek Valley that have been submitted to the County. After careful review of a proposal, the Committee either decides to take no action, or, if it feels that the proposal might have serious negative impacts on the Valley, it brings the project to the attention of the DCVA Board of Directors. The full Board listens to the Committee’s recommendation and then votes on whether or not to take action. Action begins by discussing DCVA concerns with the applicant; then writing a letter to planning officials at PRMD; or finally appearing at a public hearing to challenge one or more aspects of the applicant’s proposal.  Here are reports by Schanzer on DCVA challenges to two use permits that were appealed all the way up to the County Board of Supervisors. --  Editor

Update on DCVA Tax Status

Despite some bureaucratic glitches that had arisen over the past few months, Ed Wilson reported in April that the IRS had finally granted the DCVA the tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status that it had been seeking.  Revising our Articles of Incorporation and obtaining membership approval of these revisions at our Annual Meeting proved essential in meeting the IRS’ requirements.

Our monthly website reports on Board of Directors meetings is evolving.  In addition to posting a brief news report accessible to all viewers ("Board Notes"), we will be publishing the complete Minutes of our monthly meetings in the Members Only section of this website.  DCVA members may access this "secure" section of our website by logging in on the Home Page.  For information about when this change will be activated and the time and place of the next meeting, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

DCVA Annual Membership Meeting

Villa Chanticleer has been reserved for our annual membership meeting, according to Charlee Schanzer, Events Committee Chair. The date of the meeting is set for March 15, 2009, and members are encouraged to enter this important date on their calendars.  The keynote speaker will be Kara Heckert, Executive Director of the Sotoyome Resource Conservation District, who will speak on creek restoration.

Other committees reporting included: