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Public commenter accuses officials of 'destroying' Grass Valley's historic downtown
Summary
A recorded public comment at the Nov. 25 DRC meeting accused council members, commissioners and others of profiting from changes that "destroy" the historic downtown and named a company shorthand 'MEC'; the commenter said he would pursue the matter in court on Dec. 15.
A recorded public comment played during the Grass Valley Development Review Committee meeting on Nov. 25 included an extended allegation that city officials and local boards are "destroying" the historic town and personally profiting from redevelopment.
The comment was submitted by Matthew Coulter, who identified himself at the start of the recording. "This comment is related to the destruction of our historic town, the changing of the town to promote a Roseville type attitude," Coulter said. He accused "the people that are profiting from it directly that are on the council, that are on the planning commission, that are on the development review committee, that are on the historic commission," and added, "You guys are destroying it bit by bit, and it's not welcome, and you're profiting from it directly." Coulter also asked, "Is it MEC by chance? I believe it is," and said, "I'll see you in court on the December 15."
Committee staff and members did not provide a response to the allegations during the meeting; the item the recorded comment touched on (a nearby awning replacement on Mill Street) proceeded through staff presentation and committee deliberation. The committee neither investigated nor acted on the allegations during that meeting.
The comment contains assertive allegations about misconduct and potential legal action. The committee's record from this meeting does not include evidence substantiating or rebutting Coulter's claims, and no member presented supporting documentation in the session. The recording appears in the public comment portion of the meeting and is part of the meeting's record; the committee's formal action that followed concerned the separate planning item and did not address the accusations.
