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Nevada City neighbors divided over a proposed 273-unit mini-storage and fears of high-density housing will voice their concerns to county supervisors at a public hearing today.
It is the final stage of an approval process for a project straddling the city and county border in a long drawn-out debate that started a year ago.
The project site is within the Nevada City Sphere of Influence. Nevada City's zoning ordinance does not permit mini- storages and when given the opportunity to annex the property last January, the city declined, giving the county ultimate authority.
Last month, after a lengthy and emotional outpouring from both sides, the county Planning Commission approved the mini-storage project owned by Roy Arashi on Gracie Road.
Nevada City resident Erin Minett, who lives near the proposed mini-storage, has collected more than 400 signatures against the project, she said.
Shortly after the commission's decision, Minett paid $1,200 of her own money to appeal it.
Neighbors Joe and Melinda Solis-Day also signed the appeal. They own an existing mini-storage business located nearby on Joe Day Road and also live in the neighborhood affected by the new development.
Minett argues that Arashi overlooked the environmental impacts of the project, including disturbance of hazardous soils found at the old mill site.
Others think the mini-storage is the best alternative for the neighborhood.
Funneling more cars onto her home street is a threat resident Susan Mahaffy doesn't take lightly. Her property abuts the project site, and she has lived on Gracie Road for 24 years.
"That means a lot of traffic, a lot of light, a lot of noise and a lot of people. For us, (a mini-storage) would be better for our neighborhood then a gagillion houses," Mahaffy said.
The project's two northern parcels are designated as "planned development" in Nevada City's general plan and "industrial" by the county books.
The other southernmost parcel is designated as "estate" by the city, with parcels ranging between one and three acres, although Gold Run Creek could limit the density size, according to a staff report by the county's Community Development agency. Arashi has plans to develop only two parcels at this time and Nevada City could annex a third for housing in the future.
A public hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the board chambers of the Eric Rood Administration Building, located at 950 Maidu Ave. in Nevada City.
To contact Staff Writer Laura Brown, e-mail lbrown@theunion.com or call 477-4231.
It is the final stage of an approval process for a project straddling the city and county border in a long drawn-out debate that started a year ago.
The project site is within the Nevada City Sphere of Influence. Nevada City's zoning ordinance does not permit mini- storages and when given the opportunity to annex the property last January, the city declined, giving the county ultimate authority.
Last month, after a lengthy and emotional outpouring from both sides, the county Planning Commission approved the mini-storage project owned by Roy Arashi on Gracie Road.
Nevada City resident Erin Minett, who lives near the proposed mini-storage, has collected more than 400 signatures against the project, she said.
Shortly after the commission's decision, Minett paid $1,200 of her own money to appeal it.
Neighbors Joe and Melinda Solis-Day also signed the appeal. They own an existing mini-storage business located nearby on Joe Day Road and also live in the neighborhood affected by the new development.
Minett argues that Arashi overlooked the environmental impacts of the project, including disturbance of hazardous soils found at the old mill site.
Others think the mini-storage is the best alternative for the neighborhood.
Funneling more cars onto her home street is a threat resident Susan Mahaffy doesn't take lightly. Her property abuts the project site, and she has lived on Gracie Road for 24 years.
"That means a lot of traffic, a lot of light, a lot of noise and a lot of people. For us, (a mini-storage) would be better for our neighborhood then a gagillion houses," Mahaffy said.
The project's two northern parcels are designated as "planned development" in Nevada City's general plan and "industrial" by the county books.
The other southernmost parcel is designated as "estate" by the city, with parcels ranging between one and three acres, although Gold Run Creek could limit the density size, according to a staff report by the county's Community Development agency. Arashi has plans to develop only two parcels at this time and Nevada City could annex a third for housing in the future.
A public hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the board chambers of the Eric Rood Administration Building, located at 950 Maidu Ave. in Nevada City.
To contact Staff Writer Laura Brown, e-mail lbrown@theunion.com or call 477-4231.
