Osborne Hill Trails Threatened - Help Save Local Trail Access!

Developers have planned to implement a high density, out-of-town, expensive home development atop Osborne Hill near Empire Mine. As many of you know, this area is packed with outstanding singletrack that has been used for decades by cyclists, equestrians and hikers alike. Current plans for this development would obliterate much of this trail network with disregard for existing usage.

State Parks has expressed interest in acquiring the property and annexing it to Empire Mine Historic State Park. There are pending grant applications supported by the Nevada County BOS and the Grass Valley City Council that would make this annexation a reality. Trail users and the community would be best served by this approach, instead of another high end development far from town that shows no regard for existing trails.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Nevada County is accepting public comment on this proposed development. Please comment by APRIL 23 using a version of the sample letter below or your own tailored message:

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Tod Herman
Nevada County Planning Department
950 Maidu Avenue
Nevada City, CA 95959

Dear Mr. Herman:

This letter is in regards to the proposed Osborne Hill Project. As an area resident and trail user, I am very concerned about this proposal for the following reasons:

- The proposal does not accommodate or preserve existing trails or trail access. This area includes an extensive network of publicly used trails used by the community for many years.

- The proposal involves extensive grading and vegetation removal, all of which will negatively impact these trails. The plans do not address how existing trails will avoid damage from this disruptive activity.

- The proposal involves extensive construction of roads and buildings including an extensive sewage treatment field. Again, such construction will either negatively impact or completely destroy existing trails. Such impact is not addressed in the application.

- The proposal does not address if existing public trail access will be preserved in the development. Such trails should continue to be acknowledged and supported by any such proposal.

In conclusion, this application is incomplete until it fully addresses these issues. I urge the County not to accept the application until the project is sharply reduced or altered so as to accommodate public trail access.


Truly,
YOUR NAME HERE