Marianne Boll-See Staff Writer | The Union | Jan 23, 2025 Updated Jan 23, 2025
The County of Nevada held the first day of a three-day workshop for the Board of Supervisors at the Gold Miners Inn Ballroom, located at 121 Bank Street in Grass Valley yesterday.
The purpose of the 2025 annual Board workshop is for the Board to set goals and priorities for the coming year. The workshops also provide a roadmap for the county’s budget and program planning.
The morning of Day 1 began with public comment on any of the items on the agenda during the three days. General public comments are allowed at regular Board meetings held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
Public comment
The Board heard about a dozen public comments regarding a variety of issues referencing cell towers and their safety.
“I am requesting that you also instruct the Planning Department to not allow a tower scenario in areas where there’s only one way in and out. If the tower catches fire, it’s electrical, and takes time for PG&E to shut that down, for fire personnel and equipment to get out there to fight that kind of fire,” said Hannah Finnian.
A second speaker asked that before all cell towers are approved that there be a public notification and public review.
“You’ve got to allow public review with each and every single cell antenna. This cannot be administrative,” Reinette Senum, former mayor of Nevada City said.
Other speakers asked Supervisors to consider cannabis lounges where consumption of cannabis in a safe space would be allowed, much like a wine tasting venue.
Robert Myers, a representative of Dencob retail cannabis farm said that the general public would like to learn about therapeutic benefits of the plant, and that “the majority of our customers are over 65 years old and are exploring medical, medicinal benefits as alternatives to current medications.”
“Many California counties and cities have welcomed on site consumption as a way to increase tax revenue, provide safe and regulated places to consume, and provide for consumer education,” Myers said.
Holding off on increasing any additional taxes on cannabis was a second request from Diana Gamzon, Executive Director of the Nevada County Cannabis Alliance.
“While raising taxes may seem like a straightforward way to increase revenue, there must be a balance between supporting small business growth, consumer expectations, and real estate tax projections,” Gamzon said. “California is planning on raising the excise tax up to 19% this year, which consumers will feel an additional strain, and which encourages the illicit market. In addition, local businesses will struggle to compete with lower tax jurisdiction in their immediate vicinity.”
Gamzon also supported cannabis lounges, especially for people who may live in multi-family complexes or other situations where cannabis consumption is limited.
“This is a highly regulated activity which provides a safe space for cannabis consumption,” Gamzon said. “It has proven to increase tax revenue, provide employment opportunities, and impact tourism. It’s important to research how this activity may provide economic growth to areas like North San Juan, Soda Springs, and Dencob (cannabis farm)... Cannabis lounges serve as hubs that incorporate art, music, local food, which contributes to cultural vibrancy.”
Two speakers supported the idea of expanding the new tiny house ordinance, while one individual referred to the idea as going “down a slippery slope.”
Shirley Freriks, founder of Waste Not in Nevada County, brought up “climate migration impact,” which rural communities like Nevada County may soon see as so many people are displaced by the devastating fires in Southern California.
“We’re going to attract people. It’s too nice a place, and the weather is good, and fires are one thing, but we have a lot of other things going on here. People will begin to migrate north, which is what they’re saying is what we need to be paying attention to — that and housing,” Freriks said.
Ralph Silberstein, speaking for the CEA Foundation as community environmental advocates, gave the county credit for putting efforts into reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly efforts to address existing inefficiencies and residential and commercial structures.
“We totally support these efforts, but it makes no sense to then be approving projects which increase the greenhouse gas emissions. Alternative Energy Solutions are now at the level where requiring net zero is not an obstacle to most construction. For this reason, we ask that the county institute a net zero policy for all new commercial construction projects,” Silberstein said.
Silberstein made a second point regarding the processing and environmental impact reports for the Idaho Maryland Mine.
“The draft EIR contains numerous and well documented deficiencies,” Silberstein said.
“We feel that the county should have required the draft environmental impact report to be recirculated… This could easily have been done based on solid evidence. Instead, what happened was an inevitable collision between the desires of the applicant and reality — consuming extensive time, energy and money on all sides. So we suggest the county meet with the public to help define better processes for improving review of CEQA documents.”
Eliza Tudor, Executive Director of Nevada County Arts Council and her colleague Heather Heckler shared information about plans in support of the arts and culture of the area, and encouraged Supervisors and the public to consult their new edition of the Muse Magazine, a guide to local art and cultural events and an index of artists and galleries.
JD Hoss, owner of a radio station in the Truckee / Tahoe area, told the Board and the public that he was in attendance to learn more about the direction plan and intent of the County to purchase a five bedroom, three bath, single family home in the Armstrong neighborhood of Truckee.
Hoss said that he is a resident in that neighborhood and he was “concerned about the county’s process and transparency” in an effort to purchase or lease the property located at 12255 Sierra Drive in eastern Truckee.
Hoss suggested that the property would be used as a drug rehabilitation center and that the county does not currently supervise people in similar rehabilitation centers, nor do they require drug testing.
“You need 100% supervision. You need drug testing. It is not the honor system,” Hoss told the Supervisors and the public.
To contact Staff Writer Marianne Boll-See, email mboll-see@theunion.com
The Nevada County Cannabis Alliance has written permission from Marianna Boll-See to use this article on our website.
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