When times were booming just a few years ago, hundreds of planning entitlements were granted to people wanting to build in Grass Valley, ranging from single buildings to small housing developments.

Entitlements that have been granted include nearly 700 residences, Planning Commission Chairman Daniel Swartzendruber said.

But the housing crash that began locally in 2007 means most of those plans are languishing.

On Tuesday, the Grass Valley Planning Commission will consider a system to automatically extend “all approved development review permits and/or use permits in effect and not expired as of Feb. 14,” according to city documents.

An ordinance under consideration would grant “a two- or three-year minimum time extension for planning entitlements... issued by the city,” according to the commission's agenda. “The intent of this ordinance is to defer the expiration date of any previously approved projects in light of the current state of the economy.”

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 125 E. Main St., downtown.

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To contact Senior Staff Writer Trina Kleist, e-mail tkleist@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4230.