Nevada County Local News: Land Use & Development


All Local Land Use & Development News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: The 1965 law known as the Williamson Act has been responsible for keeping about half of California's farmland out of the hands of developers.
The Williamson Act: How the Law That Protects California’s Farmland Works

The Williamson Act, passed in 1965, now keeps more than 16 million acres of farmland out of the hands of developers. Here's how the law puts the brakes on the development of California agricultural properties.

Image caption: Does California’s signature environmental law protect the state’s scenic beauty, or cause more problems than it solves?
CEQA: The Surprising Story of CA’s Key Environmental Law

The California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA, is both the state’s signature environmental legislation, and is also often named as the villain in the state’s housing shortage. But the story may not be that simple.

Image caption: The Baldwin Hills area in South Los Angeles is one region where a state conservancy would keep open land accessible to the public.
California’s 10 State Conservancies: How They Protect Parks and Open Land

How California’s 10 state conservancies buy up open land and shield it from developers to preserve the natural environment for public use.

Image caption: Since 1972, the California Coastal Commission has ruled over the state’s shoreline.
California Coastal Commission: Where It Comes From, What It Does

What is the California Coastal Commission? How one of the state’s most powerful agency protects public access to the state’s scenic coast from Mexico to Oregon.

Image caption: How California reclamation districts turned millions of acres of wetlands into fertile agricultural land, starting in the earliest days of the Gold Rush.
Reclamation Districts: Turning ‘Swamps’ Into Farmland

California has used reclamation districts to turn millions of acres of unusable swamps into fertile agricultural land, starting in the earliest days of the Gold Rush. Here’s how it happened.

Image caption: Zoning laws tell you what you can and can't build on the property you own. How does government get away with that?
How Zoning Laws Shape California and Society

Zoning laws determine what can be built and where. These laws have shaped California, but are they really just tools for social engineering? The history of zoning is closely tied to racial segregation, as well as the state's shortage of …

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04/25/2024
CalFire announced that starting May 1, permits will be required for outdoor burning in Nevada and Placer Counties.

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04/24/2024
Image for display with article titled Truckee Donner PUD Adopts Integrated Resource Plan, Approves Watershed Stewardship Efforts

Truckee Donner Public Utility District's board of directors oversaw a packed agenda at the April board meeting.

California Local Pin Marker From The Union...

04/24/2024
Spring prescribed fire projects are set to begin in the Tahoe National Forest as early as April 29, depending on conditions.

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04/24/2024
Nevada County is seeking public input for a survey on a pedestrian improvement plan for a roundabout at the Ridge Road and Rough & Ready Highway intersection closes May 9.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

04/22/2024
Image for display with article titled City of South Lake Tahoe Awarded State of California Prohousing Designation

The City of South Lake Tahoe was awarded the State Prohousing Designation for efforts to encourage development of housing at all income levels.

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04/19/2024
Image for display with article titled Northstar Wood Energy Facility Receives $250K Boost for Forest Health and Wildfire Mitigation

In a significant step toward enhancing forest health and addressing wildfire risks, the Northstar Community Services District Wood Energy Facility has received a $250,000 boost from the Tahoe Fund and Vail Resorts EpicPromise program.

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04/18/2024
In an April 17 community meeting in Grass Valley, dozens of area skateboarders gathered for a presentation on design options for the Condon Park Skatepark Project.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

04/17/2024
Image for display with article titled Call for Nominations for 2022-2023 Best in Basin Awards

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is calling for nominations for projects completed in 2022 or 2023 that display outstanding environmental design to be recognized in the 31st annual Best in Basin awards program.

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04/15/2024
Image for display with article titled Truckee Invites Community Input for River Revitalization Project

The Truckee River is more than just a waterway; it's a cornerstone of the community, offering ecological richness and recreational value.

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04/15/2024
Image for display with article titled Nevada County, Truckee, Friends of the Truckee Library Select Architect for New Truckee Library

Nevada County, the Town of Truckee, and Friends of the Truckee Library took another step forward toward building a new 20-000-square-foot Truckee Library facility at Truckee Regional Park.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

04/12/2024
Image for display with article titled South Tahoe Ongoing Efforts for and Against a Vacancy Tax; Signature Deadline Looms

A red, white, and blue clad Uncle Sam has jumped into efforts opposing the vacancy tax, waiving a rally sign, followed by a newly launched website from a recently formed coalition advocating against the tax and other measures.

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04/12/2024
Four different master housing plans are available in Nevada County which are pre-approved by the Nevada County Building Department to help reduce costs in housing construction.

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04/10/2024
Image for display with article titled Rocker Memorial Skatepark Receives $100K Grant  for Construction of New Skate Park in Truckee

The Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation presented a $100,000 grant to the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District (TDRPD) during its March Board of Directors meeting.

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04/10/2024
Having reached the Phase 1 fundraising goal of $1.5M, the project to acquire the 230+ acre project and return it to the descendants of its original native inhabitants is advancing.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

04/05/2024
Image for display with article titled Forest Service Announces Decision for Burke Creek Restoration

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit in partnership with the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District, issued the final decision for proposed restoration of Burke Creek on Lake Tahoe's southeastern shore.

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04/04/2024
Image for display with article titled Town of Truckee Asks Residents to Join the Conversation About River Revitalization Efforts

The Truckee River is an integral part of the community, an ecological gem that also provides a prime spot for recreation and fun. That is why Truckee Town Council established the River Revitalization Steering Committee (R2SC) in May 2023, as a specific action of the General Plan 2040 adopted last year that same month.  

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04/03/2024
Image for display with article titled Town of Truckee Urging Residents to Embrace the Night, Launches Dark Skies Rebate Program

The Town of Truckee is launching a $50,000 dollar rebate program to encourage responsible outdoor lighting and to facilitate a switch to new fixtures for homeowners and business owners.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

04/02/2024
Image for display with article titled California’s Most Controversial Housing Law Could Get a Makeover

Some of California’s top lawmakers want to clear up, but also rein in, the “builder’s remedy.”

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