Historic commission presses for map, zoning and railroad presentation on Kidder property after soil and retaining-wall concerns

The Grass Valley Historic Commission took up the future of the Kidder property and adjoining Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad parcels, hearing a history briefing and raising safety and remediation concerns that could limit redevelopment.

Commission member Greg Savelli asked for clarity on ownership and next steps after meeting with volunteers from the narrow-gauge railroad museum. John Christiansen, the director of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad and a retired lieutenant colonel, described the railroad group’s research and materials about the site and offered a 20-minute presentation for the commission.

The commission’s discussion centered on three technical constraints: an environmental review completed in February 2015 that the speakers said had identified soil problems, long-term industrial contamination from oil, coal and diesel, and a large concrete retaining wall behind former shop foundations that appears to be failing and sits close to private houses. Commissioners were told those issues reduce the property’s marketability and complicate any rehabilitation or reuse.

Developers and commission members described two distinct parcels on and near the site: a parcel with the historic Kidder-related foundations up the hill and a railroad parcel adjacent to Bennett Street. Presenters said the current owner holds both parcels. Commissioners heard developer comments that remediation could be approached by ‘‘covering’’ contaminated material for certain uses but that full residential redevelopment would likely require more extensive remediation.

Commissioners agreed on concrete next steps: Savelli will obtain and circulate a lot map and zoning for the two parcels ahead of the next meeting so the commission can better judge options. Commissioners also asked the railroad group to present its PowerPoint and materials at an April meeting so the commission can see surviving artifacts and understand interpretive possibilities. Several commissioners said they plan to inspect the site in person before the next meeting.

The commission did not adopt any policy or commit funds. The item remains a work plan topic; commissioners said future options could include a developer-led mixed-use plan that preserves historic elements or a partial donation of land for interpretive uses if remediation and ownership questions can be resolved.

Next steps: Greg Savelli will provide parcel maps and zoning information by the next meeting; the railroad director will be invited to present in April; commission members will arrange a site visit in advance of the April meeting.