1 - Introduction 2 - Vision Statement 3 - Land Use 4 - Circulation 5 - Conservation 6 - Noise 7 - Safety 8 - Recreation 9 - Historical 10 - Community Design 11 - Glossary - Maps CHAPTER NINE HISTORICAL ELEMENT The Historical Element is an optional General Plan Element. Previous Grass Valley General Plans have placed historic considerations into the Urban Design Element, thus emphasizing solely the architectural and structural aspects of the City's history. Creation of a separate Historical Element in the General Plan acknowledges a broader role for historical appreciation in the life of Grass Valley, a community highly conscious of its colorful past. Historic appreciation is the key to historic preservation. The Historical Element first presents a brief overview of historical resources, and community activities to preserve and protect those resources. Following are historic goals and objectives adopted as part of this General Plan. Next are adopted policies and implementation actions and strategies. Preparation of this Historical Element included in-depth historical and cultural research and records survey. Documented historical and cultural features, lore, and historical appearance all contribute to the historical and cultural environment. Research methodology, text, and lists of historic features are available in City files and in the General Plan Background Report (Quad Knopf , November, 1998), a copy of which is available for inspection at the Grass Valley Community Development Department. Grass Valley's Historic Resources and Programs Grass Valley has a rich historical heritage from the California gold rush of 1849, through the tumultuous mining period which followed. The last active gold mine (until the 1990's) closed in 1956, ending 107 years of continuous production. Many valuable historical resources still remain as a reminder of the City's legacy. Rather than setting aside historic structures and districts as quaint relics or museum pieces, Grass Valley prides itself on the continued use and enjoyment of old homes, hotels, saloons, and other structures as part of the community "fabric". Grass Valley's historical mining town atmosphere is an important economic generator, luring tourists and local residents. Improvements at the Empire Mine State Park will heighten Grass Valley's attractiveness to the growing historical tourism industry. Above and beyond economic considerations, a strong sense of history is a true community attribute. Many residents of Grass Valley and vicinity equate the town's historic character with the area's quality of life. There exists growing interest within the community in protecting and restoring continuity with early Grass Valley and its lore, through preservation of historical landmarks and resources. Age and environment have taken their toll on the old buildings of Grass Valley. Many are maintained in excellent condition, but others need major maintenance, restoration, or rehabilitation for protection of their historical features, for health and safety, and to improve their convenience and function in a modern economy. A Facade Improvement Program and the Community Development Block Grant Program have been implemented by the City to assist owners in structural restoration and rehabilitation. The City of Grass Valley Historical Commission was established by the City Council in 1994, with a goal of identifying and inventorying historical landmarks and resources. The Commission has initiated a Heritage Home Awards Program, involving annual awards to owners who have restored or rehabilitated historically and architecturally significant homes within the original 1872 Townsite. The "Grass Valley Style" of architecture is distinctive. It is characterized by covered sidewalks or porches, narrowly proportioned windows and doors, iron shutters, and materials of brick, wood, natural stone, and cast iron. The style is characterized by a human scale relationship between the old buildings and the narrow streets. Covered sidewalks in commercial areas and wide porches around residences provide shade during summer and shelter from rain and snow in winter. Buildings in Grass Valley today are an eclectic mix of architectural styles constructed over a period of years from 1850 to the present. The old "Grass Valley style" may be replicated in new buildings by using the old proportions and details of windows and doors, but using modern methods and materials reproduced to resemble original materials. Examples of recent restorations are buildings in the Downtown Historic District at 146 and 126 Mill Street (Figure 9-1). Some residential neighborhoods in Grass Valley have retained their original character and reflect the cultural backgrounds of the original residents. Included are: Mill Street in the area of Echo Hill and Gold Hill, where many miner's cottages remain. Between South Church Street and South School Street and the West Main area of Nob Hill, occupied by stately Victorian homes once owned by mine owners, lawyers, and doctors. South Auburn Street, between Winchester Hill and Kate Hayes Hill, a mixture of Victorians, cottages, Tudor style homes and craftsman style bungalows once were home to merchants, carpenters, and teamsters. Along Bennett Street in the Pike Flat area east of Highway 20/49, where there is a mixture of homes from stately Victorians to miner's cottages built in the 1870's and 1880's by or for miners and employees and teamsters (freight haulers and wagon drivers) working on the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad. Eureka Heights area north of Main Street between North Auburn, Eureka, and Murphy Streets where the topography is quite steep and the lots are small with small Victorian cottages formerly inhabited by miners, merchants, masons, and carpenters. Figure 3-7 (in the Land Use Element) depicts Grass Valley's neighborhoods, many of which have historically significant origins. Figure 9-2 shows the original 1872 Townsite. Historical Goal and Objectives 1-HG Conserve and enhance the historical identity of Grass Valley. 1-HO Development and continuation of civic historic protection efforts. 2-HO Preservation of buildings of historic and/or architectural merit. Historical Policies 1-HP Delineate and describe Grass Valley's neighborhoods. 2-HP Identify and record historic neighborhoods and their characteristics in order to protect and preserve those characteristics. 3-HP Establish appropriate design standards and elements that complement Grass Valley's historic heritage in newly developing areas. 4-HP Enhance the appearance of City entryways, commercial areas, and streetscapes, in part through the use of elements in the design standards that complement Grass Valley's historic heritage. 5-HP Place emphasis on preservation and restoration within the 1872 Townsite and 1893 and 1894 annexation areas. 6-HP Encourage maintenance, rehabilitation, renovation, and restoration of older homes utilizing the Heritage Home Awards and other programs. 7-HP Rehabilitate older commercial areas utilizing the Façade Improvement Program and other programs. 8-HP Investigate and implement procedures to protect historic structures from demolition. 9-HP Inform developers, builders and design professionals of Grass Valley's community design standards and preferences, using brochures, photographic displays and other illustrative techniques. 10-HP Where historic and prehistoric cultural resources have been identified, the City shall require that development be designed to protect such resources from damage, destruction, or defacement. 11-HP If previously undiscovered cultural resources or human remains are encountered during construction or excavation, the procedures identified in Section 15064.5 of the CEQA Guidelines shall be followed. Historical Implementation Actions and Strategies 1-HI Maintain a Historic Resources Ordinance and active programs to implement City policy for historic conservation and enhancement. 2-HI Continue to encourage the Grass Valley Historical Commission's inventory of historical landmarks and sites within the 1872 Townsite. 3-HI Utilize the results of the Grass Valley Historical Commission's inventory of historical landmarks and sites to preserve and enhance resources within the 1872 Townsite. 4-HI Expand the "historical district" to include both sides of West Main Street between Church Street and Auburn Street and the north side of East Main Street between North Auburn Street and Washington Street. 5-HI Require new and restored/rehabilitated buildings in the historical district to adhere to design standards reflecting the city core's historical character. Include in design standards scale and building proportions, color palette, building materials, and architectural elements. 6-HI Use the Neighborhood map to assist private developers and the City in preserving and enhancing neighborhood identity related to historic/cultural features. Define and describe the distinctive features and characteristics to be preserved and enhanced in specific neighborhoods. 7-HI Continue to support the Historical Commission's Heritage Home Awards Program. 8-HI Initiate and support events and activities designed to give residents and visitors an appreciation of Grass Valley's historical and cultural heritage. 9-HI Continue to support the Facade Improvement Program and Community Development Block Grant Program to assist in restoration and preservation of historical features.