Public comments welcomed regarding proposed event center in Penn Valley

John Conger, the owner of the 7.8 acre property located at 12616 Country Heights Drive, has filed an application request for a use permit to allow a special events venue for up to 150 guests, according to Zachary Ruybal, Nevada County Assistant Planner.

“My first concern is being a good neighbor. This is an environmentally sound project that will employ people and is good for the community,” Conger said.

The Planning Commission is now seeking public comments and questions which must be submitted by March 21 and can be directly emailed to Ruybal at zachary.ruybal@nevadacountyca.gov or calling 530-470-2488.

A public hearing is slated for the Planning Commission on March 28 at 1:30 p.m. at the Eric Rood Administrative Center located at 950 Maidu Avenue in Nevada City.

Events will be held outside between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. with no amplified music after 10 p.m.

The proposed special event area location will consist of live music or a DJ with speakers… The noise produced on-site from the amplified music will be in compliance with the Nevada County Noise Ordinance for both the daytime and evening hours of operation, according to the project description.

“The County knows what it’s doing and how to mitigate concerns. They have ensured that this project is done right,” Conger said. “I’m a responsible resident of Nevada County for over 25 years.”

Parking has been a concern voiced by some residents in the Penn Valley area who have posted comments on social media; specifically the concern that an overflow of vehicles onto the roadway could occur when 150 people attend an event and can not fit into 48 parking spaces unless a large portion of them carpooled.

“The minimum number of parking spaces required for the special events venue is 38, and the project proposes 43 standard parking spaces within a graveled area with landscape islands on the western side of the property plus 2 ADA parking spaces to be constructed near the restroom facility, for a total of 45 parking spaces,” according to the project description.

In comparison, other venues such as The Center for the Arts in downtown Grass Valley can hold 500 or more people with fewer than 20 parking spots available; most attendees walk a few blocks from the neighborhood or make use of public parking nearby.

The proposed venue is in the general agricultural (AG-10) zoning district, according to information shared by Ruybal.

Events will be held outside only and include private celebrations such as weddings, anniversaries, family reunions, memorials, birthdays, and the like.

“The frequency of special events is anticipated up to 20-25 times per year, and although these special events may be held 7 days a week, it is anticipated that most of the events will be scheduled on weekends,” according to the project description.

Food and drinks will be allowed; however, all food prep will be done off-site.

The owner of the property said that the project is a give back project, for his family and for the community.

“It is an heirloom project that I want to pass down to my kids who grew up here and have lots of friends here,” Conger said.

The special events venue will be accessed from Country Heights Drive at the driveway entrance designated on the site plan for the special events venue only, and one monument sign with no lighting will be located to the right of the special events venue driveway entrance.

A new fire standard gravel road on the western side of the parcel will be constructed for the special events venue.

Plans for landscaping in the parking lot and around the property have met requirements, according to the project description.