Grass Valley committee recommends murals for Highway 49 underpass

The Grass Valley Development Review Committee voted 4-0 on May 13 to recommend that the Planning Commission approve a city-sponsored mural project for the State Route 49 underpass at South Auburn Street.

The committee’s motion, as recited in the staff report, included a determination that the project is categorically exempt under California Environmental Quality Act guidelines, Class 1 (Section 15301), and would approve a mural sign permit with conditions of approval described in the report.

City staff said the underpass is within Caltrans right-of-way and is a prominent entry to downtown that currently lacks the visual character of adjacent areas. Staff described the project as a transportation art application developed under Caltrans’ art program; proposed renderings were solicited from local artists and bundled by the project team for review.

Caltrans’ regulatory framework, staff said, places several limits on permitted…