[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6531376,"mediaKeyId","3541870-bf82b9e6f2d1b5e423cfc37dc4299454","parentId",3541870,"title","Grass Valley committee approves replacement of 28 windows at 514 West Main, limits casements to meet egress and require simulated divided lights","audioSeconds",963,"startMs",1768000,"endMs",2731000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3541870-bf82b9e6f2d1b5e423cfc37dc4299454&start=1768&end=2731","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3541870-bf82b9e6f2d1b5e423cfc37dc4299454/thumbnail_1768000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6531376/Grass-Valley/Nevada-County/California/Grass-Valley-committee-approves-replacement-of-28-windows-at-514-West-Main-limits-casements-to-meet-egress-and-require-simulated-divided-lights","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531376-b98f652d2312592da5fc1cc21d5a1afa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157338&Signature=lDk6uCnBP9xsLVa-oVjqsVSq3xdIa4nrr7xkYr-7nF3CbN-X4CqwLmLi9q3kfauymP4RLVoBc6NeUBbM5V824oZuuZamMmNlbMkE0BJ7qmN502dq3Y1diuNpWaD1wqa5~mYj8KjlMuy-BjoTZDS0UyhNc0u4~Slmak0V-ucRa7AFnUvFOYd0wfDCoTl7P8UZPatu3GiDVlEDCDhLz2Y8xTehBc2hqyJ9U99ewA~fDeTVwl8RFYuPusD3Xa-vwivkm53RrTsoA1CuLIflisLXP0VmKo7WAjPrBKOOTC0ISSU8bUeBcSZs35jMCo6WUD0PQZyMAestX-2JoDXCDKKmAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-28T14:10:06.637Z","article","The Grass Valley Development Review Committee approved an exterior modification at 514 West Main Street on May 27, 2025, allowing replacement of 28 original wood double-hung windows with composite units, with conditions to preserve the building's historic appearance.

Staff said the structure, built about 1880, is a priority 2 resource that has retained good integrity. The applicant proposed replacing 28 wood double-hung windows; nine would be casement-style to meet building-code egress requirements from bedrooms. The Historical Commission recommended that casement windows intended for egress be fitted with true simulated divided lights (a physical muntin with depth) so they present the appearance of double-hung sash, and that where windows occur in pairs the two units retain the same functional type.

Why it matters: The work affects a priority 2 historic residence in a visible West Main block. The committee balanced preservation guidelines with building-code requirements for egress and adopted conditions designed to minimize visual impact while meeting life-safety rules.

During the hearing the applicant (participating remotely) told the committee that casement units were chosen only where code-required egress made double-hung sash infeasible. Committee members discussed which panes are visible from the street and whether rear-facing windows need the simulated mullion detail; the committee agreed that rear windows not visible from public rights-of-way could be exempted from the simulated divided-light requirement if not prominent.

The Historical Commission's suggested language — that simulated divided lights be a \"true\" divided-light detailing with depth (not merely a strip between panes) — was discussed and accepted by the applicant. The applicant said the intent is to use the minimum number of casements required for egress and to keep paired windows functioning the same.

Amy Wilson moved to approve the replacement with the stated conditions, including a CEQA categorical exemption per the staff report; Robert Pawlowski seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

Conditions of approval require that: casement-style windows used for egress include simulated divided lights with physical muntins visible both inside and outside; paired windows retain the same function (both casement or both double-hung); and rear windows that are not publicly visible may be treated differently as noted in the motion. The applicant indicated they will revise the plans to minimize casements and provide details showing the simulated divided-light construction prior to final permits.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Development Review Committee Meeting 5.27.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Development Review Committee approved replacing 28 historic wood windows at 514 West Main with composite units, requiring casement windows used for egress to include true simulated divided lights and that window pairs retain the same function; the motion passed unanimously.","taxTitle","Grass Valley, Nevada County, California","taxId",59323,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6531381,"Grass Valley committee approves demolition of 1885 barn at 603 West Main for ADU replacement",960,686000,1646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3541870-bf82b9e6f2d1b5e423cfc37dc4299454&start=686&end=1646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3541870-bf82b9e6f2d1b5e423cfc37dc4299454/thumbnail_686000.jpg","/articles/6531381/Grass-Valley/Nevada-County/California/Grass-Valley-committee-approves-demolition-of-1885-barn-at-603-West-Main-for-ADU-replacement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531381-8552c833e4b89f7298fa7cf7c9df159d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157338&Signature=UfIG-JdXl9sYlQYBzD66rDkojPeuSFRwgqBXpZwdeIgRORxxBSy50cawT6NgvyjaSCF3N1d4ZGAIltXso0LeYqSPM6ZBLSCl5G5lKVp6KzvVY90l02xZKOCQHqs1Kz0PdjvvTp1MznnD0TgbYyt2dlTrIFwYHPcrmn~Uh~mKmUKhXzEvcvdV5MZ0mtbk9AZRJla8Q4HcqorcisKn5W9s9smR6eVyYjVrEpb9IFRrMYT8qCXJ3iBTJtLbifxGApLgw9E8fDtIqufI7MQlHaidgpGVUkxwL6zK1Lvnm~wLmOXCpJ822xkZNHEVIZWcsiVLJvbB2AeZSfJCl3muCBtVIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grass Valley Development Review Committee voted to approve demolition of a barn at 603 West Main Street and authorized a replacement accessory dwelling unit on May 27, 2025, following staff and historic-review findings and public comment.

The decision followed a historical resource re-evaluation provided by Dana Superowitz, who concluded that cumulative alterations — including reconstruction of the west elevation, interior slab work, a rebuilt stair, and replacement siding — have diminished the structure's historical integrity. Staff recommended approval under the city's historic-demolition standards and proposed objective design conditions so the replacement building approximates the barn's exterior aesthetic. The committee's motion cited a categorical exemption under CEQA as noted in the staff report.

Why it matters: The barn is listed as a priority 2 structure in the city's inventory, a classification that denotes significance to the neighborhood's historic character. Committee approval allows removal of a late-19th-century structure on the property and construction of an accessory dwelling unit that staff said would be positioned fully on private property to remove the existing encroachment into the city's right-of-way.

Committee and staff presentations summarized the historian's assessment referencing the city's municipal code provision cited in the staff report. Staff said the existing barn sits partially in the public right-of-way and that the applicant proposes to shift the replacement structure onto the owner's parcel. The Historical Commission reviewed the application on May 13 and expressed support for a replacement structure that preserves a similar exterior aesthetic.

The applicant told the committee the existing building is in poor condition and difficult to renovate for productive use, and that the replacement would \"give homage back to the old historic barn\" while serving as an ADU. Committee members discussed exterior details such as keeping a brick-or-plaque-style date element reading \"1885\" as a commemorative feature but agreed it should not be confused with address signage. Fire and safety questions focused on how the new unit will be addressed and marked for emergency access; staff said any new ADU address would follow the parcel's addressing and that the property owner must clearly mark unit access for fire crews.

One public commenter, Matthew Coulter, opposed the demolition in a prerecorded virtual comment, saying the removal \"goes against the city charter\" and expressing broader concerns about loss of historic buildings in Grass Valley. The committee acknowledged the public comment but moved forward with the staff recommendation.

Committee member Amy Wilson moved to approve the demolition with the conditions and findings in the staff report; Robert Pawlowski seconded. The chair called the vote; committee members voiced aye and the motion passed with no opposing votes. Conditions of approval require objective design standards for the replacement so it approximates the historic aesthetic and that the replacement be located off the city's right-of-way. The staff report also states the project was determined categorically exempt pursuant to the CEQA reference in the report.

The committee did not adopt additional restrictions on the commemorative date element beyond design preferences discussed in the hearing. The approval allows the applicant to proceed to finalize construction documents and address permitting and addressing requirements with city staff.","The Grass Valley Development Review Committee on May 27 approved demolition of a priority 2 historic barn at 603 West Main, finding its integrity diminished by alterations and conditioning approval on replacement design standards and relocation off the city right-of-way.","actionData","errors"]

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Grass Valley committee approves replacement of 28 windows at 514 West Main, limits casements to meet egress and require simulated divided lights

Grass Valley committee approves demolition of 1885 barn at 603 West Main for ADU replacement