Nevada City in the Sierra Nevada Foothills in California is a poem, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream.
Nevada City is an accumulation of well preserved 19th century Gold Rush architectural treasures and a few that are not. It is a state of being, a paradox. It is many things to many people and nothing to some.
Its survival is determined by the attitude of those people who are willing to care. -John Stienbeck, Cannery Row
Some overarching goals that are further stated in the introduction are to preserve historic buildings and sites; to not expand development into the surrounding open forest; and encourage design which is appropriate to its own age, but which is unassertive, allowing the dominance of the City's primary, 19th century historic period.
Yes, yes, yes!!
Simply put, this a slow-to-no growth community that does not embrace urban sprawl and unsightly architecture. Community's like Nevada City are rare today, especially in our current social and economic climate. It is likely, when you think of your hometown growing up and compare it to today there are glaring differences. Many beautiful, special places have been overrun by strip malls, housing developments, and superstores such as Home Depot or Walmart. These big box stores are not only unaesthetic but they have pushed out small business. Without a general plan in place, such as this one, the sprawl is almost guaranteed to happen.
Imagine growing up somewhere and coming back as an adult with everything the same as when you left. Imagine starting a small business and knowing that you are surrounded by a community of people who honor small businesses and will patron your store out of loyalty to small town living. These are the ideals that we would like to embrace even if it means paying more for less. Ah, Nevada City Love!
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