Nevada City has received a ballot initiative from proponents of a measure that proposes to create a Historic Neighborhoods District within the City. The City is not the sponsor of this initiative and presently does not take a position in support of or opposition to the proposed initiative. However, State of California Elections Code requires the City to accept legally sufficient ballot initiatives and process them. The initiative — currently in the signature verification phase — could redesignate multiple neighborhoods in a vote by the council, be sent to voters for their approval, or handed to city staff for a study to be conducted.
Supporters say the initiative is intended to retain local control after the passage of Senate Bill 9, which they worry could change the character of Nevada City. Senate Bill 9 – the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act – streamlines the process for a homeowner to create a duplex or subdivide an existing lot. To be eligible for the streamlining provided by this bill, a parcel must meet a specific list of qualifications that protects historic districts, preserves the environmental quality and the look of communities, and prevents tenants from being displaced. This legislation will enable homeowners to create intergenerational wealth and provide access to more rental and ownership options for working families who would otherwise be priced out of neighborhoods.
The new historic districts created by this local initiative would not face the same restrictions as the existing downtown, commercial historic district. They also would be exempt from SB 9.
Opponents say the new historic districts would create more bureaucratic steps for anyone wanting to repair their home. Homeowners would have to appear before the Planning Commission and gain permission to install a new roof. Windows would have to conform with a historic standard.
A copy of the petition and related submissions are available on the Nevada City website.
The Nevada City Council could vote on the historic districts initiative with no vote of the people required. It could also send it the voters or decide to have staff study the issue before taking any further action. Please contact your Nevada City councilmembers for more information or to share your opinion on the issue:
Doug Fleming, Mayor - doug.fleming@nevadacityca.gov
Daniela Fernández, Vice Mayor - daniela.fernandez@nevadacityca.gov
Gary Petersen, Council Member - gary.petersen@nevadacityca.gov
Adam Kline, Council Member - adam.kline@nevadacityca.gov
Lou Ceci, Council Member - lou.ceci@nevadacityca.gov
