If you’ve ever looked at a county planning agenda and thought, “Do I need a law degree and three pots of coffee to get through this?”—you’re not alone. Planning meetings can feel like a foreign language, filled with acronyms, red tape, and the occasional debate about zoning laws that sound more like a game of SimCity than real life.
But here’s the thing: planning decisions actually shape our neighborhoods, roads, parks, and even housing options. And Nevada County is throwing us regular folks a bone with an upcoming workshop designed to make sense of it all.
The Workshop Details
Date & Time:
Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location:
Board of Supervisors Chambers
950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City
Livestream the workshop here
This free public workshop is hosted by the Nevada County Planning Department and promises a 30-minute presentation on how the planning process actually works.
Oh, and there’s a Q&A—so if you’ve ever wanted to raise your hand and ask, “What the heck is CEQA, anyway?” this is your moment.
Topics will include:
What goes into permits (like subdivisions, land use, and development applications)
How residents can comment on and shape proposals
Ways to engage with long-term county development plans
Planning Director Brian Foss has said the goal is to “demystify” the planning process and empower residents to get involved.
Translation: this is your chance to know what’s happening in your own backyard before a bulldozer shows up.
Whether it’s housing projects, trails, or community infrastructure, having your voice heard can actually influence how Nevada County grows. And this workshop is basically a crash course in how to go from “clueless” to “confident citizen.”
Planning meetings don’t have to be boring or intimidating—especially when the county is giving us a clear roadmap on how to get involved. Mark your calendar, grab your questions, and either head down to Maidu Avenue or tune in online. This is small-town civic life at its best: your voice, your county, your future.
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