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A voters' initiative to curb Grass Valley development was filed late Tuesday at City Hall, with hopes of qualifying for the November ballot - rekindling a growth versus no-growth debate that has divided residents for years.
The newly formed "Friends of Grass Valley" filed the initiative to allow residents to vote on developments that the group argues could push the city's population past about 25,000 projected in its general plan by the year 2020 - though recent flat growth could change the plan's projections.
"Recent decisions by the City Council make it clear that the city may allow a much larger population growth than agreed to when the general plan blueprint was adopted," said initiative filer Grant Cattaneo, a member of the new group and Citizens Concerned About Traffic, which has opposed development. The Rural Quality Coalition also supports the measure.
Cattaneo expressed concerns that the city was not following the intent of the general plan in some instances, such as the proposed Loma Rica Ranch development. Loma Rica developer Phil Carville could not be reached for comment, though he has argued the mixed-use project, based on "new urbanism" design, is well suited to the area's demographics.
The initiative also targeted the proposed Idaho-Maryland Mine re-opening.
"The measure would affect land within city limits and new areas being annexed," said a memo to supporters. "For instance, since the Idaho-Maryland Mine re-opening requires a general plan amendment and zone change, the voters would be allowed to vote on the proposal."
Not much growth has been happening lately, some officials pointed out.
With flat growth the past few years, Grass Valley "is not matching the (population) numbers in the general plan," according to City Community Development Director Joe Heckel. Grass Valley's population now stands at 13,000.
In addition, four projects that could spur the growth - Loma Rica Ranch, North Star, Kenny Ranch and Bear River Mill - are nowhere near acceptance and "we haven't even got to environmental impact reports," Heckel said.
Friends member and former Nevada County planner Sharon Boivin said the group is shooting to get the initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot. Signature gathering of registered city voters will begin in about two weeks, Cattaneo said.
To qualify, the initiative backers will have to get the signatures of 750 registered voters, or 15 percent of Grass Valley's 6,203 on the voting roles, according to County Clerk-Recorder Greg Diaz.
If they do, the city can include the initiative vote on the county's general election and not have to pay for a special election, Diaz said.
Some criticized the process.
"I don't agree with ballot box governance," said Nevada County Contractors Association Executive Director Barbara Bashall. "You elect a city council to do a job and allow them to do it.
"We have a pretty good (development review) process here that takes a lot of public input."
Cattaneo complained that he and his new group feel like they are not being listened to. "It's like we're not there," Cattaneo said.
Boivin said her group considered filing for referendums on large projects themselves "but that seemed unfair to the development community. This seemed to be the best and straight forward way to do it."
The initiative and its notice to circulate petitions to qualify for the November ballot are now on file with the City of Grass Valley.
To read the filings, go to www.TheUnion.com.
Anyone seeking more information about the initiative can call Grant Cattaneo at 477-8458.
The newly formed "Friends of Grass Valley" filed the initiative to allow residents to vote on developments that the group argues could push the city's population past about 25,000 projected in its general plan by the year 2020 - though recent flat growth could change the plan's projections.
"Recent decisions by the City Council make it clear that the city may allow a much larger population growth than agreed to when the general plan blueprint was adopted," said initiative filer Grant Cattaneo, a member of the new group and Citizens Concerned About Traffic, which has opposed development. The Rural Quality Coalition also supports the measure.
Cattaneo expressed concerns that the city was not following the intent of the general plan in some instances, such as the proposed Loma Rica Ranch development. Loma Rica developer Phil Carville could not be reached for comment, though he has argued the mixed-use project, based on "new urbanism" design, is well suited to the area's demographics.
The initiative also targeted the proposed Idaho-Maryland Mine re-opening.
"The measure would affect land within city limits and new areas being annexed," said a memo to supporters. "For instance, since the Idaho-Maryland Mine re-opening requires a general plan amendment and zone change, the voters would be allowed to vote on the proposal."
Not much growth has been happening lately, some officials pointed out.
With flat growth the past few years, Grass Valley "is not matching the (population) numbers in the general plan," according to City Community Development Director Joe Heckel. Grass Valley's population now stands at 13,000.
In addition, four projects that could spur the growth - Loma Rica Ranch, North Star, Kenny Ranch and Bear River Mill - are nowhere near acceptance and "we haven't even got to environmental impact reports," Heckel said.
Friends member and former Nevada County planner Sharon Boivin said the group is shooting to get the initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot. Signature gathering of registered city voters will begin in about two weeks, Cattaneo said.
To qualify, the initiative backers will have to get the signatures of 750 registered voters, or 15 percent of Grass Valley's 6,203 on the voting roles, according to County Clerk-Recorder Greg Diaz.
If they do, the city can include the initiative vote on the county's general election and not have to pay for a special election, Diaz said.
Some criticized the process.
"I don't agree with ballot box governance," said Nevada County Contractors Association Executive Director Barbara Bashall. "You elect a city council to do a job and allow them to do it.
"We have a pretty good (development review) process here that takes a lot of public input."
Cattaneo complained that he and his new group feel like they are not being listened to. "It's like we're not there," Cattaneo said.
Boivin said her group considered filing for referendums on large projects themselves "but that seemed unfair to the development community. This seemed to be the best and straight forward way to do it."
The initiative and its notice to circulate petitions to qualify for the November ballot are now on file with the City of Grass Valley.
To read the filings, go to www.TheUnion.com.
Anyone seeking more information about the initiative can call Grant Cattaneo at 477-8458.
