On Thursday, October 21st, Nevada County held its first community-wide workshop, kicking off the Greater Higgins Area Plan development process. Over 65 residents attended the virtual workshop and a poll of attendees identified 89% in attendance were residents of the area, and 33% were employed in the area.
Area Plans are planning documents incorporated into Nevada County’s General Plan to guide future development and design standards in specific communities within the county's unincorporated areas, generally where commercial zoning exists. The Greater Higgins Area Plan will focus on amenities in the Higgins Corner and Lake of the Pines area in the South County region.
The planning effort includes two key goals:
- Establish a comprehensive future vision for the area integrating culture, commerce and housing while supporting the unique community character and culture of the South County area; and
- Serve as a blueprint for future development, with guidance on land use, economic development, transportation and circulation, public facilities and services, recreational opportunities, design goals, guidelines and standards.
Attendees heard a short overview presentation from Bruce Brubaker from County’s Consultant PlaceWorks, Inc. and participated in breakout groups to share their community vision in the coming years. The groups shared their vision of the community’s strengths and identity, housing and development, recreation and public spaces, and transportation infrastructure.
Moving forward, PlaceWorks will be synthesizing the community’s input and holding strategic interviews with various community members for the next several weeks throughout November. Members of the South County Area Municipal Advisory Council (SCMAC) are working with PlaceWorks to provide input and help promote community participation.
The public is encouraged to get involved and can find more information at www.GreaterHigginsAreaPlan.com on the process. The next community meeting is anticipated in January 2022. Members of the public are also welcome to attend the South County Area Municipal Advisory Council (SCMAC) meeting scheduled for November 10th. To sign up for meeting notices and meeting agendas of the SCMAC please signup at MyNevadaCounty.com using the County’s Notify Me portal.