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Nevada City considers changing preservation rules to protect historic downtown from wildfire
Summary
At a joint meeting, city and planning commissioners heard Headwaters Economics warn that embers cause most home loss and urged updating design guidelines and codes so historic buildings can be ‘hardened’ without losing character; staff will bring a proposal and a small ad hoc committee was agreed as the next step.
Nevada City officials and planners opened a public conversation about changing historic‑preservation rules to reduce wildfire risk, hearing on Tuesday from Headwaters Economics that embers—not visible flame fronts—are the dominant cause of home loss in wildfires.
Council Member Peterson told the joint meeting of the Fire Safety Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission that protecting the city’s historic fabric is central to Nevada City’s identity and economy, noting that “Nevada City’s future is in the preservation of its past.” He also warned that some local ordinances may prevent use of materials that could help harden buildings against embers and urged a careful, community‑engaged review rather than wholesale change.
Ryan Handy, co‑program manager for Headwaters Economics’ Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program, explained three…
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