By NIKKI RILEY
The Town of Truckee will hold public hearings on Nov. 16 and 17 to accept comments on the Final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Canyon Springs development. The last time a final EIR hearing occurred for this property was in 1988. While this project has been portrayed as just an extension of Glenshire, that could not be farther from the truth. This property was never intended to have such a high density, with 203 parcels plus second units proposed. Due to the established deer migratory corridor, the steep slopes, the wetlands, and many more environmental sensitivities, the most homes ever approved on this site was 87. This was a decision denied by the planning commission in Nevada County and approved via appeal to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors in 1992. Upon Truckee incorporating, the property was zoned to a maximum of one unit per acre as a result of lobbying efforts from the property owner, his lawyer, and their representative. This was the last time the public had a voice in directing an appropriate zoning for this property. The community was not allowed to talk about this property or the adjacent Teel property in Nevada County during Truckee’s general plan update in 2004 due to an open application from a previous land owner. However, Truckee citizens spoke loud and clear about managing and controlling growth, avoiding sprawl, and supporting open space during the creation of the town’s vision statement. The public and Mountain Area Preservation have been critical about development on this site since 1987. We believe the Canyon Springs project is an open door to continued and future sprawl in unincorporated Nevada County with another 275 homes and 10 acres of commercial development on the Teel property. Truckee, it’s time to make your voice heard and say no to sprawl.
~ Nikki Riley, Mountain Area Preservation’s development director
