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What: Grass Valley City Council meeting
When: Today at 7 p.m.
Where: City Hall, 125 E. Main St.
When: Today at 7 p.m.
Where: City Hall, 125 E. Main St.
Grass Valley could offer more public input into major projects like the proposed reopening of the Idaho-Maryland Mine and large housing developments if a new policy is adopted at the City Council meeting tonight.
Although that is what boosters of Measure Y and Measure Z were seeking before they got on the Nov. 4 ballot, City Administrator Dan Holler said the planning initiatives did not push the policy.
"It wasn't because of complaints. I just think it's the thing to do," Holler said Monday, adding the policy is part of his pledge to bring city government out in the open.
Mayor Mark Johnson said he recently sat down with Holler and Community Development Director Joe Heckel to draft the policy.
Johnson said he realized there was "definite anxiety on the public's end," voiced at two recent open council forums about where large projects are in the city's planning process and how they got there.
"The public isn't clear on how the process works, and those who are, want a policy that outlines and gives clear direction for the city staff and council to follow," Johnson said.
Though the city follows state law guidelines for projects now with a requisite number of hearings in the process, there is no continuity from one large development review to the next.
The policy targets "significant development projects," including ones asking for a general plan or zoning amendments that prompt a full environmental report. Measure Z calls for votes of the public whenever general plan land-use rule changes are sought.
The policy also would be in place for annexations into the city for properties more than 50 acres. Measure Y would cause Grass Valley citizens to vote on annexations.
During the environmental review process, the large project policy would call for at least one site visit by the city's Planning Commission, two public meetings, a minimum of one workshop and at least one joint meeting with the City Council.
When it comes to the application process, the policy calls for a minimum of two public Planning Commission meetings, at least one workshop-open house for the public to gather information about the project design, and a joint meeting with the City Council.
Once the City Council receives the project for action, it could elect to go through the same process of meetings and workshops that the Planning Commission did.
The costs and staffing needed for the policy will be paid by people who apply for the buildings, according to city documents.
Public outreach would occur through a list of citizens who want periodic updates, the city's Web site and statements to local media.
The proposed mine reopening would probably be the first large project to undergo the new scrutiny, because it is furthest along in the environmental report process, Johnson said. The Loma Rica Ranch project and the South Hill Village projects would be next.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
Although that is what boosters of Measure Y and Measure Z were seeking before they got on the Nov. 4 ballot, City Administrator Dan Holler said the planning initiatives did not push the policy.
"It wasn't because of complaints. I just think it's the thing to do," Holler said Monday, adding the policy is part of his pledge to bring city government out in the open.
Mayor Mark Johnson said he recently sat down with Holler and Community Development Director Joe Heckel to draft the policy.
Johnson said he realized there was "definite anxiety on the public's end," voiced at two recent open council forums about where large projects are in the city's planning process and how they got there.
"The public isn't clear on how the process works, and those who are, want a policy that outlines and gives clear direction for the city staff and council to follow," Johnson said.
Though the city follows state law guidelines for projects now with a requisite number of hearings in the process, there is no continuity from one large development review to the next.
The policy targets "significant development projects," including ones asking for a general plan or zoning amendments that prompt a full environmental report. Measure Z calls for votes of the public whenever general plan land-use rule changes are sought.
The policy also would be in place for annexations into the city for properties more than 50 acres. Measure Y would cause Grass Valley citizens to vote on annexations.
During the environmental review process, the large project policy would call for at least one site visit by the city's Planning Commission, two public meetings, a minimum of one workshop and at least one joint meeting with the City Council.
When it comes to the application process, the policy calls for a minimum of two public Planning Commission meetings, at least one workshop-open house for the public to gather information about the project design, and a joint meeting with the City Council.
Once the City Council receives the project for action, it could elect to go through the same process of meetings and workshops that the Planning Commission did.
The costs and staffing needed for the policy will be paid by people who apply for the buildings, according to city documents.
Public outreach would occur through a list of citizens who want periodic updates, the city's Web site and statements to local media.
The proposed mine reopening would probably be the first large project to undergo the new scrutiny, because it is furthest along in the environmental report process, Johnson said. The Loma Rica Ranch project and the South Hill Village projects would be next.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
Also on the council agenda...
Elderly residents of Grass Valley mobile home parks could get a reprieve from increases in their rent with an ordinance to be discussed at the council meeting tonight.The issue came up when the owner of the Olympia Glade Mobile Home Park planned to raise the space rent by an average of $65 on Dec. 1.
Vice Mayor Lisa Swarthout, Councilwoman Janet Arbuckle and city staff are trying to get the increase reduced to $34 to $37 - a move which could stave off a rent-control ordinance.
Park owners are looking to tie changes in their proposal for the park to long-term contracts.
