This is the message we have been delivering to the Grass Valley City Council on the four big Special Development Area (SDA) development applications.
Our Board members have been present at every City Council meeting to present this message.
We have rallied our members to be effective and vocal at these meetings.
We sent a mailer to every Grass Valley voter asking them to attend the City workshop on the annexations. 150 people attended, many our members, and the message was clear: Stick with the General Plan!
The City Council recently told the developer of Loma Rica Ranch that he must cut his proposed 1200 unit project number in half or less before they would even accept his application. This was a big victory.
This process will go on for about another 18 months. We will be there every step of the way lobbying for sensible growth, and to retain our past successes.
This is a 192 lot subdivision proposed outside of Nevada City off of Red Dog Rd. Almost all of its 1,500 cars per day would use Boulder Street and the main intersection in Nevada City. Furthermore, it is located at the inflow to Nevada City's drinking water supply. We are spearheading one of the three appeals of the certification of the draft EIR with our partners, Banner Mountain Homeowner's Association and Citizens Concerned About Traffic (CCAT). Nevada City is also appealing. We have retained an attorney to assist us. We are currently in negotiations on a revised project with the developer. We will keep you posted.
The RQFoundation has been working with the owners of the 200 acre Osborne Hill property, adjacent to Empire Mine State Park, to find grant funding to purchase the property for expansion of the park. (Many of you already use trails on the property most likely.) The property is zoned for 72 residential lots. We prefer to see a park there. We have support of the County Supervisors, the City of Grass Valley, and State Parks on this potential acquisition!
We are a signatory on the appeal of Yuba County's approval of the 5,000 home (15,000 residents) New Town next to the Spenceville Wildlife Area.
1. Paid Staff.
We have expanded our paid staff with a Land Use Projects Director, and increased our budget for printing, mailing, and legal assistance.
The Rural Quality Foundation recently proudly received two grants, $4,500 from the Rose Foundation's Grassroots Fund, and $5,000 from the Tides Foundation for general support and the hiring of a Land Use Director. These grants, matched with your generous support, are enabling us to be a much more effective voice on land use issues in Nevada County. Paid staff makes all the difference!
To continue this good work, we need your help.
If you would like to help, please call 530-265-0642.
We are making a difference as your land use advocates.
Sincerely,Board of Directors