Matthew Pera, Staff Writer

May 18, 2017

Nevada City council members unanimously approved a tentative final map design last week for The Grove, a 71-unit housing development plan proposed by Nevada City Tech Center.

“I think [developer] Robert Upton with the Tech Center has taken the initial steps to bring Nevada City into the 21st century, and this project will be another bold step,” said Council Member David Parker.

The technology center proposes developing a 12.97 acre site at 500 Providence Mine Road, adjacent to the company’s offices.

The project is described by the developers as “affordable by design,” because it clusters a large number of homes onto a small plot of land and incorporates second dwelling units on many of the lots.

The project plan includes a condition that forbids homeowners from using the second dwelling units as vacation rentals, which planning commissioners said would help ensure that the development would serve to increase the availability of housing for locals.

It also uses energy-efficient design methods to help reduce the cost of energy bills for residents, and would be built in a strategically-chosen area which promotes walking to nearby businesses and workplaces so that residents can be less reliant on cars, according to the developers.

The project will go back to the planning commission for design review.

“This is an extremely important development when you consider how badly we need local, affordable housing,” said City Manager Mark Prestwich.

To contact Staff Writer Matthew Pera, email mpera@theunion.com, or call 530-477-4231.