George Rebane

Next Tuesday, 9sep08, our Supervisors are planning on having the last discussion and public input for the current revision of the Safety Element of the Nevada County General Plan (also known to many as the ‘Fire Plan’ or ‘Fire Safe Plan’. But do not be confused, this is NOT the Nevada County Fire Plan).  If the Board accepts the staff’s revision, then the “policy side” of fire planning will be concluded.  We remember that the policy side is what dictates the ultimate regulations that we citizens of the unincorporated areas must abide by.  The meeting will also be the last scheduled opportunity for public input on this important element of the General Plan.

It has been a long process to get to this point which does not need rehashing here.  My own assessment is that the Board of Supervisors did a good job in keeping things safe and sane on the regulatory impact.  For those of you who have not kept up to date with this sometimes convoluted series of events, I do want to provide some ‘cut to the chase’ materials so that you’ll be up to date whether or not you attend next Tuesday’s BoS meeting.

The actual county documents comprising the revision can be downloaded from here.

I made a short appeal to BoS to simplify and summarize the fire plan’s mandates and recommendations which can be downloaded here Download FireSafePlan080826stmnt.pdf.  They accepted my recommendation and documented it in a form available here Download memotobos0903081.pdf.  Further communication with Jessica Hankins, Associate Planner, revealed that staff will also publish an “Educational Document” on the revised Safety Element (aka Fire Plan) that will contain an even more detailed summary in the suggested format.  In short, everyone will then be able to quickly see what in there impacts them without having to sort through the formal hernia pack of documents.  It was the format of these documents that got what little hair I have mussed up (see here).

This weekend KNCO will broadcast my short editorial on this topic which can be downloaded here Download knco_editorial_4sep08.pdf.

In sum, to the extent that we’re coming out of this process relatively unscathed, our Supes deserve the credit.

(5sep08 update) As promised, Jessica Hankins emailed the updated Table 2 that will be included in the Educational Document.  This format is right on the mark and contains the mandates and recommendations in an easy to read format that is in one place.  Thank you Jessica and CDA team.  You can download this table here Download SafetyElement_Table2.pdf .

(6sep08 update) My emails from you confirm that there is still a confusion about the ‘Safety Element of the General Plan’ and the ‘Nevada County Fire Plan’.  What is up for review and adoption this Tuesday is only the Safety Element.  The implication is that when the NC Fire Plan is next revised, it will reflect the provisions of the Safety Element.  But to my knowledge, no county authority has stated, let alone guaranteed, that to be the case.  Go Tuesday and ask them.