Placer 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 …

Placer Herald logo From Placer Herald...

04/25/2024
Image for display with article titled Rocklin Moves Forward on College Park Apartments

The 180-unit, affordable senior housing portion of the larger College Park development at Sierra College in Rocklin should begin construction by the end of the year, officials said.

Auburn Journal logo From Auburn Journal...

04/23/2024
Image for display with article titled Placer County Approves Additional Funding for Colfax Skate Park

The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved an additional $130,000 be provided to the city of Colfax for the proposed skate park.

Auburn Journal logo From Auburn Journal...

04/19/2024
Image for display with article titled Placer Rezone Final EIR to Be Released, Moving to Planning Commission

Placer County announced the final environmental impact report (EIR) for its rezone program is available for public review.

Sierra Sun logo From Sierra Sun...

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.

Auburn Journal logo From Auburn Journal...

04/12/2024
Image for display with article titled Construction Kicks Off on Pickleball Courts

Auburn is on its way to adding three pickleball courts and a multiuse space at School Park Preserve. Construction has officially begun on the space, a cement pad which formerly housed school facilities.

California Local Pin Marker From Gold Country Media...

04/12/2024
The Placer Conservation Authority is seeking to fill two vacancies on its 12-member public advisory committee, which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Placer County Conservation Program’s land conservation planning.

Lincoln News Messenger logo From Lincoln News Messenger...

04/11/2024
Image for display with article titled 'The Big Dill': Lincoln's Pickleball Courts Grand Opening April 20

The City of Lincoln Recreation Department and Lincoln Hills Pickleball Club are putting the “pickle” in pickleball with the grand opening of the McBean courts on April 20 at 65 McBean Park Drive from 10AM - to 2PM.

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.”

Sierra Sun logo From Sierra Sun...

03/29/2024
Image for display with article titled Pines to Mines Trail Unites Community, Expands Accessibility, Drives Economic Growth in Nevada County

About a decade ago, former Nevada County Supervisor Richard Anderson spearheaded a project that united trail advocates from across the county to explore ways of creating an interconnected trail network.

Sierra Sun logo From Sierra Sun...

03/27/2024
Image for display with article titled Truckee Town Council Moves Forward With Findings From Biomass, Bioenergy Study

The Truckee Town Council met on Tuesday, March 26, to discuss Wildephor Consulting's Biomass/Bioenergy study involving the use of an Air Curtain Burner (ACB) to manage woody biomass.

California Local Pin Marker From SF Gate...

03/24/2024
Rumors are flying that California Forever is using dodgy tactics to gather signatures.

Auburn Journal logo From Auburn Journal...

03/22/2024
Image for display with article titled Foothills Motel Renovation Highlights Property's Historic Charm

A look at the four-year project to upgrade a 1950's motor inn while retaining its period look and charm.

Sierra Sun logo From Sierra Sun...

03/21/2024
Image for display with article titled Empowering Farms, Enriching Communities: Inside the Force of Tahoe Food Hub

The Tahoe Food Hub isn't just about providing fresh produce; it's a comprehensive endeavor that promotes regenerative farming practices, fosters fair market opportunities for family farms, and strives to enhance access to locally sourced food.

Auburn Journal logo From Auburn Journal...

03/19/2024
Image for display with article titled Placer County Certifies Yankee Jims Bridge EIR

New 2-lane bridge proposed; existing bridge, built in 1930, to remain in place

Auburn Journal logo From Auburn Journal...

03/15/2024
Image for display with article titled Auburn Passes Resolution Supporting Local Control Regarding Housing Issues

The Auburn City Council passed a resolution calling out the state of California specifically around housing legislation usurping local control of land use decisions.

Placer Herald logo From Placer Herald...

03/14/2024
Image for display with article titled Roseville Approves Ordinance Targeting Long-Term Camping on Private Property

“The police and code enforcement, we got together and collaborated with the city attorney, who noticed an uptick in the number of issues associated with camping on private property,” Roseville Police Department Captain Doug Blake said.

Loomis News logo From Loomis News...

03/14/2024
Image for display with article titled Rocklin Looks Toward Park Improvements

Following the Sunset Whitney Recreation Area Master Plan, the city council approved a contract with includes design and preparation work for the park space.

Auburn Journal logo From Auburn Journal...

03/12/2024
Image for display with article titled Auburn Family Restores Historic McCann House

Sarah and Simon Gowring have put more than a year and a half of their lives into breathing some life back into a historic Victorian home in the center of downtown Auburn, once home to revered Auburn Journal Editor and community volunteer Vernon McCann.

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