Nevada County Planning Commission approves 12,000‑sq‑ft warehouse and fabrication site with conditions

Nevada County Planning Commission on Thursday approved a development permit for a proposed 12,000‑square‑foot warehouse and light manufacturing building on two parcels near the Nevada County Airport, adopting a mitigated negative declaration and a steep‑slopes management plan and adding a requirement for awnings on the north and west elevations over pedestrian and overhead doors.

The commission found that the project, sited at 13837 and 13881 Park Court in western Nevada County, met Nevada County code standards and that proposed mitigation measures would reduce identified environmental impacts below significance, staff said.

Zachary Rubal, an associate planner with the Nevada County Planning Department and the project planner, told commissioners the two project parcels total about 7.6 acres and are zoned Light Industrial–Site Performance (M‑1 SP) with an Industrial general plan designation. The proposal calls for a roughly 12,000‑square‑foot warehouse on APN 069‑200‑15 in which 20% of the building would be used for light industrial manufacturing (furniture, cabinets, decorative metal) and the remainder for storage, while the adjacent APN 069‑200‑16 would be used as a gravel equipment storage yard screened by existing vegetation and steep slopes.

Rubal said the project includes a steep‑slopes management plan prepared by Brian McAllister of Sierra Land Solutions Inc.; a noise study by Don Bollard of Bollard Acoustical Consultants; a landscaping plan that retains existing oak trees and adds a six‑foot solid fence and shrubs on the southern property line; and exterior lighting consisting of 10 shielded, downward‑facing LED wall luminaires. Rubal said the project provides the required eight parking spaces (one accessible) and approximately 28% permanent open space on average across the two parcels, exceeding the 15% open‑space requirement.

The noise assessment analyzed the three noise‑producing components the consultant identified as most significant: on‑site metal fabrication inside an enclosed building, on‑site traffic, and truck reverse warning systems. Rubal said the analysis concluded those components would comply with the county noise code and recommended Mitigation Measure 13a, which would limit construction hours to 7 a.m.‑7 p.m. Monday‑Saturday.

Applicant Eric Cook requested the commission waive a recommended awning requirement above all windows, saying window elevations would tuck an awning under gutters and would be architecturally awkward. Cook also said he had a revised noise analysis showing compliance for operations through 10 p.m., but county staff cautioned the publicly circulated mitigated negative declaration covered 7 a.m.‑7 p.m. only and that an administrative amendment and reanalysis would be required to authorize later hours.

Commissioners discussed alternatives for meeting the Loma Rica Drive Industrial Area Plan design guideline calling for reduced visual impact of large buildings. Commissioners and staff proposed a compromise to require awnings only on the north and west elevations over the overhead (roll‑up) doors and pedestrian doors—facades most likely to be visible from adjacent parcels and roadway—and to allow the applicant and staff to refine materials and locations as a condition of approval. Commissioners expressed concern about structural and operational conflicts (forklifts, snow load) if awnings were required over every overhead door and accepted the compromise noted by staff and the applicant.

Neighbor George Marks, who said he lives roughly 275 feet downslope of the site, raised concerns during public comment about persistent noise from neighboring industrial uses, light levels, and whether truck backing alarms would continue under extended hours. Staff replied that code compliance can investigate and enforce approved noise limits and that the applicant said exterior lighting would operate on motion sensors after dark.

After discussion, the commission voted unanimously to: adopt the proposed mitigated negative declaration and monitoring plan; approve the steep‑slopes management plan prepared by Sierra Land Solutions (subject to conditions); and approve Development Permit DVP‑24‑3 subject to the conditions of approval with the added awnings amendment (required on the north and west elevations over the overhead and pedestrian doors). Commissioners French, Foley, McAteer, Garst and Chair Millman voted "Aye." Staff noted a 10‑day appeal period on the decision.

The permit approval requires compliance with Nevada County Code provisions on landscaping, screening (sections 12.04111, 12.04107), lighting (section 12.04108), and the county general plan policies cited in the staff report. The steep‑slopes plan and mitigation measures will be conditions of approval and must be followed during construction to limit erosion and protect downslope properties.

The applicant and county staff also discussed an administrative path for the applicant to pursue a post‑approval amendment to the project description and noise analysis if Cook elects to pursue operations later than 7 p.m.; staff said any such amendment would require an updated analysis demonstrating compliance with the county's lower evening noise limits before administrative approval could be issued.

The commission meeting record shows the noise study, landscaping plan, steep‑slopes management plan, and other technical reports were considered in the staff recommendation. A 10‑day appeal period begins on the date the county posts its action.

Key clarifying details: the new warehouse is about 12,000 square feet; 20% manufacturing/80% storage; contractor equipment yard on adjacent parcel is gravel and screened by vegetation; required parking: 8 spaces (1 accessible); proposed average permanent open space ~28%; nearest sensitive residence ~275 feet downslope; Mitigation Measure 13a limits construction to 7 a.m.‑7 p.m. Monday‑Saturday unless amended; exterior lights will be motion‑activated after dark per the applicant's statement.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt mitigated negative declaration: Approved, unanimous (5‑0). - Approve steep‑slopes management plan (Sierra Land Solutions): Approved, unanimous (5‑0). - Approve Development Permit DVP‑24‑3 with added awnings amendment (north and west elevations over doors): Approved, unanimous (5‑0).