Nevada County Land Use & Development Digest

The Fire Safe Council of Nevada County has been awarded $7.8 million by the California Office of Emergency Services to be used for the Deer Creek Defensible Space and Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project.

The Sacramento Bee takes a look at the Proposition 33 rent-control measure on the November ballot.

The public is invited to comment on the Russell Valley Fuels Reduction Project to reduce fuels in 3,000 acres of land north of Truckee.

In their September 10 meeting, the Grass Valley City Council voted to certify the final draft environmental impact report for the mixed-use Dorsey Marketplace.

For five years, California officials responding to the homelessness crisis had to work around one big restriction imposed by the federal courts: Because they didn’t have enough shelter beds, cities generally couldn’t make homeless camps illegal.

California’s inland regions are experiencing dangerous heat waves, exacerbated by rapid population growth. As more people move away from the expensive coastal areas to more affordable inland communities, these regions are seeing significant demographic changes and spiking electricity bills.

A California Strategic Growth Council grant of $500,000 to the County of Nevada and the Nevada County Resource Conservation District will fund a 3-year planning local conservation planning cycle.

The California state goal to conserve 30% of its land and coastal waters has advanced, with conserved lands reaching 25% and coastal waters 16%.

The Tahoe National Forest is asking for public input as it develops proposals for up to 143 miles of designated Class 1 E-Bike trails.

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy awarded $250,000 towards fuel reduction utilizing cultural-burning practices outside Nevada City to the California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project.

With combined Nevada County and federal funding of $3 million, a program of fuel reduction will take place on 900 acres to provide improved wildfire resilience to the communities of Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley, Rough and Ready and the City of Grass Valley.

A ribbon cutting ceremony on August 21 celebrated the completion of the 45th home constructed by Nevada County Habitat for Humanity.

The Legislature is willing to guarantee $500 million annually to affordable housing developers, but with a caveat.

The public comment deadline has been extended, and two community meetings scheduled for October, for discussion about a proposed ordinance to allow living in tiny homes on wheels on private property in unincorporated Nevada County.

The 30-day public comment period has commenced for the recently published El Dorado National Forest Caldor Fire Restoration Project Environmental Assessment.

September 5 is the last day the public may comment on a proposed Nevada County ordinance permitting people to legally live in tiny homes in the unincorporated county.

The Penn Valley Community Foundation announced the project to develop a community center on Spenceville Road in Penn Valley has entered the planning phase with a fundraiser to be held in September.

Residents in North Bloomfield came together to increase fire safety by leveraging a 3,000 fire suppression tank and a 32,000 gallon swimming pool.

Backers pulled a $20 billion affordable housing bond off Bay Area ballots today, amid fears that it wouldn’t pass.

A roundup of Nevada City news, including an upcoming car show, plans for homeless camp clearing, and an upgrade to a middle school sports field.

Some California agencies are offering incentives and hosting workshops for school districts that want to build affordable housing for teachers.

When California emerged from its colonial beginnings nearly two centuries ago and began coalescing into a distinct society, its towns and villages tended to be located either on navigable rivers, such as Sacramento, or around the 21 missions that Spanish explorer priests had established, such as San Diego.

The Grass Valley City Council approved funding for a planning study for a community garden farm to be located at Dee Mautino Park on Alta Street.

What happens when voters take to the ballot to thumb their nose at state housing law? Courts haven’t offered a clear answer.

California Forever’s announcement July 22 that it has decided to pull a ballot measure that would have let voters decide on a controversial planned city in rural Solano County drew swift reaction from political leaders and opponents.

The Truckee Fire Protection District announced recipients of Measure T wildfire protection grants.

On July 22, California Forever announced it was withdrawing its initiative to amend the Solano County General Plan off the November ballot and would instead begin working with the county through the normal, though less expeditious, process.

Letters from the Nevada County Assessor have been sent out to local property owners with information about updated assessed parcel values.

Environmental review of the remaining link of the future 72-mile bike and pedestrian trail completed, though concerns raised about eBikes.

The Nevada County Resource Conservation District exists to provide landowners with the latest scientific information and techniques for managing their natural resources.

On July 9, results of a ballot for a parcel tax measure to fund water storage and fire suppression in North San Juan were presented to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors.

Nearly every major environmental group in California opposes a bill that would modify the state’s signature environmental law to speed up upgrades to power lines. Supporters say it would help free the state from fossil fuels and make the grid more reliable, but opponents fear it would damage state parks.