News & Notes (1/26/15)

DOWNTOWN LAND USES TO GET A FRESH LOOK

The Modesto Planning Commission will hold a study session tonight to discuss a city proposal to rezone downtown based on what is called form-based code principles. They emphasize a building’s form over its function. The city says the objective is to foster a larger range of uses and stimulate development. The proposed rezoning of downtown will complement work based on form-based code principles adopted by the city in 2010. The study session is 6 to 8 p.m. in Room B300 in the basement of Tenth Street Place, 1010 10th St. For more information and to review the draft ordinance and map, go to www.modestogov.com/ced/projects/downtown-core.asp.

RESOURCE ADVOCATE WILL SPEAK IN SONORA

Dan Daggett, an Arizona-based advocate for resource use, will speak at the March 14 annual dinner and auction of the Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and Environment. It will be at 5 p.m. at the Sonora Elks Lodge, 100 Elk Drive. Tickets are $38 until Feb. 14, then will rise to $40 until Feb. 28 and $50 afterward. They can be ordered at (209) 586-7816 or tucare@mlode.com. TuCARE supports logging, ranching and other resource uses in the Sierra Nevada.

FOG COULD FINALLY GIVE WAY TO RAIN

The National Weather Service forecast areas of dense fog around Modesto for this morning, followed by a 20 percent chance of showers tonight and a 40 percent chance Tuesday. The storm would break a virtually rainless streak this January, which on average is when the season peaks. December brought near record rainfall to the city, according to the Modesto Irrigation District. The snowpack in the central Sierra Nevada, the main source for MID and several other water suppliers, is still doing poorly. It was at 28 percent of average in the latest report from the California Department of Water Resources.

This story was originally published January 25, 2015 at 9:46 PM with the headline "News & Notes (1/26/15)."