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| Newsletter - Grass Valley
City Messenger |
| Page 6 |
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 Wishing for more parking space in our beautiful downtown area? With the help of TJKM Transportation Consultants, the City is currently looking at solutions to this dilemma such as a parking structure. The first public workshop held on April 27, 2006 provided some excellent brainstorming! The next workshop is anticipated to be held this winter and will provide some suggestions for how parking can be expanded in the future. We’ll keep you apprised! If you have questions, call Dan Chance, Associate Planner, 274-4333.
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Protection of Historic
Structures within
1872 Townsite |
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 One of the goals of the 2020 General Plan is to "Place emphasis on preservation and restoration within the 1872 Townsite and 1893 and 1894 annexation areas.”
The Historical Commission has been discussing the need to protect those structures and landmarks that lie within the 1872 Townsite which are truly historic and need some level of safeguards from demolition or significant alteration.
The Historical Commission will be working with the City Council on a draft historic preservation ordinance over the next year which could include an "overlay historic district" for the 1872 Townsite.
If you are interested in the protection of historic structures and a "historic preservation ordinance", please stay tuned and more information will begin to surface by Spring 2007.
Any questions about the 1872 Townsite and the proposed historic preservation ordinance can be directed to Barb Carman, Clerk to the Historical Commission at 274-4330. |
Development Code
Update Moving Forward |
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 The City is continuing to move forward with its first comprehensive update of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances since 1965 and 1975, respectively. The goal of the update is to modernize the code, and create development standards that will help reflect, enhance, and preserve the character of Grass Valley.
To protect Grass Valley’s character, the City will be considering some unique, "form-based", approaches which few agencies have undertaken. A "formbased" zoning code is a new approach being embraced by communities as a way to protect and continue the look and style of historic residential neighborhoods and commercial districts.
The code uses historic building forms and their setting to a public street or front yard as a general template for how development should occur in the future.
This fall, the City held series of workshops to review current and proposed development standards and the proposed rezoning of approximately 1,600 parcels. The first public hearing with the Planning Commission was appointed on October 17, 2006. The City Council will conduct public hearings on the code shortly.
For more information on this update, please call Tom Last at the City, 274-4711.
View the Draft Development Code. |
Finding Affordable Housing in Grass Valley |
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 Where does one find affordable housing in California? Well, we’ve got some options in Grass Valley. The "First-Time Homebuyer’s Loan Program" offers 30-year loans at 0% interest rates for qualifying homebuyer. To qualify, it is necessary to have a household income that is 80% of the County’s median income level or around $51,350 for a four-person family.
Also, developers of new Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) are now required to "set aside" 20% of their new units for families who are within the County’s median income. Come visit us to find out more. Any questions? Call Beth Owens at 274-2714. |
Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments ffective January 1, 2007 |
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Effective January 1, 2007, new rates will go into effect for both water and sewer utility accounts. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 05-81 on December 13, 2005, which authorized a series of three phased in rate adjustments on January 1, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The City kept water and sewer rates nearly the same for over a decade and the new rates will gradually bring rates back in line with the cost of providing service.
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