by David McKay
On March 22, 2002 at 2pm, the Nevada City City Council held special meeting to
discuss and expedite the rebuilding of the Elks Building on N. Pine St. that was
destroyed by fire on March 20. An Urgency Ordinance was passed authorizing
the demolition of a building in the historic district of Nevada City.
The steps taken to allow this were:
1) the Municipal Code that requires the Planning Commissions approval prior to the demolition of any building was waived.
2) the Municipal Code requiring filing, processing, review and approval of a Site Plan by the Advisory Review Committee and Planning Commission was waived.
3) the Council found that the rebuilding project is Categorically Exempt from CEQA requirements and a Negative Declaration will be issued based on the fact that the replacement structure will be of the same footprint, size and likeness as the previously existing building.
These three steps were taken when our City Engineer, the County Building Dept Engineer and a consulting structural engineer determined that the remaining walls that were still standing had been so damaged that the structural integrity was com promised to the point of presenting an acute safety hazard.
The Council felt it was in the Cities best interest to expedite the demolition and rebuilding to have the least economic impact to other businesses on Pine and Commercial streets.
Other measures that were taken to help this process was the County waived it's Transfer Fees at the County dump for the removal of the destroyed structure.
To see this community and local government come together during a time of crisis such as this was very heart warming for all of us in this community. It is a prime example of how as a people we are able to set aside political and
personal differences and work for the common good for everyone. It is what
I strive for on a regular basis as an elected City Council member. David McKay, Nevada City Council Member