CABPRO Report

Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party - 04.15.09

Nevada County Planning Commission 4/9/09 Agenda: 2nd Units ~ "Granny" Units

Please attend and show your support to allow property owners to build 2nd Units  or “Granny Units”.

Nevada County Planning Commission Meeting - April 9, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Board of Supervisors Chambers
950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA   95959

Agenda Item:  2nd Units ~ “Granny” Units

ORD08-003: EIS09-004 Continued from 3/26/09 Planning Commission Meeting Proposed amendments to the Nevada County Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) Sec. L-II 3.19 Second Dwelling Units to create a process for permitting second dwelling units as an allowed use in the R1, RA, AE, AG, FR and TPZ base zoning districts. This proposed ordinance amendment will effectively allow second dwelling units that are located beyond the dead-end road limit pursuant to Nevada County LUDC Chapter XVII, certified as equaling or exceeding the California Fire Safe Regulations pursuant to 4290, without providing secondary emergency access while maintaining fire safety.  LOCATION: Unincorporated Territory of Nevada County ENVIRONMENTAL RECOMMENDATION: Negative Declaration. APPLICANT: County of Nevada.  PLANNER: Tyler Barrington, Senior Planner

Background/History:
2nd Units are permitted by law and have been strengthened this past year with additional legislation in recognition of our changing society where parents are moving in with children and children are moving back with their parents. It has been a real problem to build these units mostly because the regulations make it cost prohibitive.. The biggest problem  is building these units on what are considered dead end roads.  For some reasons our friends the Jorgensen’s, Nancy Weber, the Rivens etc are living and dying on this issue.

Right now it is cost prohibitive to build on a dead end roads because you are required to improve the road to county standards all the way to the second unit  One claim we keep hearing is that it will double the density!   Unfortunately CAL-FIRE has come out against the proposal to allow 2nd units on what is considered dead end roads.

Hank Weston, District 4, started this process because he had some constituents that were having problems.  He wanted the ordinance revised so that it would be less costly to build these units.  The State Housing Department has told the County that they cannot require additional improvements if it makes building a unit cost prohibitive. Our position is that legislation gives a property owner the same right to build a 2nd unit as a primary residence as long as it is not a public safety concern. (This is where the planning commission has problems).  The ordinance still has some strict requirements on fuel modification and requires that you prepare a fire plan with exit routes etc.

Please attend and show your support to allow property owners to build 2nd Units  or “Granny Units”

Update 4/10/09: The Planning Commission voted (3-2) to approve a 2nd Unit ordinance!  Another step forward for Nevada County!!

Dan Logue, 3rd District Assemblyman speaking April 8, 2009

Please attend the CABPRO Speaker Series on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 12:00 PM when Dan Logue, 3rd District Assemblyman, will be addressing "North State Concerns".

We will be at The CABPRO Office in the  Robinson Building on Lower Grass Valley Street.

A light lunch will be served.  $8.00 per person.

Please RSVP by end of business April 6th by telephone (530) 478-1881 or Email: info@cabpro.org.  Seating is limited.

Thank you!

Martin Light

Executive Director

Update 4/9/09:  Thank you Assemblyman Logue!  People came to hear the straight talk from you. You've got folks listening so keep it up. We're in tough times and need leaders.  Unfortunately, there aren't many willing to step forward like you.