GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELE-MENT UPDATE was discussed during a Public Hearing at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting March 4th in Downieville. Planning Director Brandon Pangman introduced the project stating all local jurisdictions are required to have a general plan and the Housing Element has to be updated every five years. The Housing Element is a five-year outlook for housing needs of Sierra County. With declining population, the minimum amount of housing the state requires is two. Pangman said the Housing Element has become much more complicated with more mandates every time they update, which he called pretty frustrating. He introduced Consultant Gary Price of Price Consulting Services who also works with the City of Loyalton. Price offered a bulk deal to the City and County to save them money. Gary called the process the State requires as “one size fits all”. He stated the Project was kicked off in June 2024, where they conducted surveys and worked to get the resolution that was to be adopted before the Board. Once adopted, Price stated they will send it back to the State which will put the County in a good position to apply for grants. Pangman gave some statistics on housing in the area stating median price is over $320,000. About 12% of the population have extremely low incomes. There were 65 building permits issued over the last ten years, 38 building permits for new housing units. He added there was a need for more workforce housing. Sierra County has an over 50% vacancy rate with seasonal housing so there’s not a huge demand for housing, but it needed to be distributed along all income levels. The State requires the two housing units be for low and very low, income residents. Board Chair Lee Adams opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. The Resolution was adopted as presented.
A PUBLIC HEARING for Sierra City Traffic Survey Results was held March 4th during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Downieville. Board Chair Lee Adams stated they had sent a letter to legislators, CHP and CalTrans and was happy to report that CalTrans and CHP representatives as well as Senator Megan Dahle’s representative Yolanda Cookson and Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick’s representative Mark Mezzano, were present for this hearing. Supervisor Paul Roen was absent due to a family emergency. Public Works Director Bryan Davey gave a brief background on the item, stating Caltrans did a traffic survey back in July. Results led Caltrans to believe several speed zones needed to be changed in and around Sierra City. Davey said they have had several consultations with Caltrans and expressed concerns about locations and pedestrian facilities within the community are extremely deficient as well as the design of the highway through Sierra City. He stated their primary concern is safety to drivers, pedestrians, domesticated and wild animals. Davey added the school bus stops on the highway in the community, and many driveways back out onto the highway. He stated a portion of the code allows communities to have a public hearing and Caltrans will take all the concerns under review. AB 43 and AB 1938 were discussed and hoped the legislators attending would help to change the exemption for state highways that go through communities. Adams told the audience that all letters submitted were part of the record that will go to Caltrans. Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher laid out his concerns which included, the roadway is not suitable for higher speeds, shoulders are narrow, blind intersection and corners, numerous driveways with multiple access points, and high pedestrian and bicycle traffic. He added current conditions do not support a higher speed limit. He was thankful they don’t have a lot of accidents in that area, but felt there would be a risk for increased accidents at higher speed limits. CHP Lieutenant Jose Alatorre stated one of the biggest concerns is driver behavior and the most effective way is with enforcement and roadway design. He said raising the speed limit does not make a road safer or more efficient. Caltrans does not set speeds based on conditions and after talking to them felt they would reconsider. He conducted his own independent survey measuring speeds and it was pretty much in line with Caltrans. Alatorre stated there was some flexibility in a couple roadway designs and signage and was excited to see what they bring back.
From Caltrans, Traffic Safety Branch Chief Mary Bokova said they understand all of the concerns and tried to explain what they are dealing with, calling the speed zone justification process a “broken system” because it doesn’t work. They were hopeful AB 43 would work in the community’s favor and stated the best they could do would be low-cost improvements. She said they were doing everything they could to lower speed zones and felt they have some options by Wild Plum to lower it to 50 mph for both directions or 50 mph southbound and 45 mph northbound rather than changing it to 55 mph. Chief of Safety Programs & Safe Systems Officer Fernando Rivera stated they would take the concerns into consideration. He said they were also going to drive the area that afternoon. Other Caltrans representatives were Traffic Safety Engineer Darryl Chambers who has been with Caltrans for 20 years and made his whole career in traffic safety and Jeremy Linder a Public Information Officer for District 3 who covers Sierra County and a good liaison with the department.
Adams opened the public comment for the audience to speak. Many Sierra City residents as well as a couple from Sierraville spoke out against the proposed speed increases. Some of the points made included, the fire department’s ability to get out to emergencies with firefighters already doing traffic control. Visibility difficulty was brought up due to curves in the road. Sierra City was called a senior community with historic buildings right on the highway’s edge. Residents asked for greater enforcement. They wanted pressure on legislators to fix the system. It was stated Highway 49 is not a freeway. Highway 49 was designed to discover the Sierra Nevadas and bring people to communities like Sierra City. The economy depends on a lower speed limit. Some called this a quality of life issue, and encouraged Caltrans to walk the road in Sierra City. When Interstate 80 is closed, residents have a line of cars going through Highway 49 and the public library parking backs out at the bottom of the blind corner. Cookson said she is a Nevada City resident and shares Hwy 49. As a neighboring resident, she was there to support and felt this will happen with other towns and wanted to be able to partner together. She has lived in the district for over 20 years and been the representative for Dahle the last 6 years. Cookson stated they are most proud of “raising rural voices”. Both legislators are from small communities, so they understand where Sierra City is coming from. Cookson vacations in Sierra County and will be supporting Sierraville next. Mezzano stated he would take all points raised back to Hadwick and wants to find out why the legislation changed, adding they want to give power back to communities and laws get changed by the legislature. He will be back on the 18th for Sierraville’s public hearing. He noted over 40 people in the audience and said the power of the people will make things happen. More Sierra City residents were attending online as well.
Supervisor Lila Heuer who also lives in Sierra City stated Caltrans wants to help but it’s not just Caltrans. She said they are going to forward letters, emails, and voicemails on to the legislators and Caltrans to see if the speed limit proposal can be stopped. She added it’s “our chance to change the law” and are looking for more towns to join them. She thanked everyone for coming.
A REVOCATION OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT #965 was discussed during a Public Hearing at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held March 4th in Downieville. Planning Director Brandon Pangman explained that the property originally identified as “Coppins Meadow Lodge” located at 804 Fibreboard Road near Webber Lake obtained its Special Use Permit in 1994 along with building permits and successfully operated until 2002. The property has changed several hands since then and had unpermitted structural alterations to the main building and other unpermitted work done on the property, There has also been a considerable amount of grading done without grading permits. Pangman was concerned that large dirt piles may partially obstruct wetlands. He stated the property is listed for sale. The main lodge has had walls taken out, staircases relocated with extensive remodeling. There have been applications for three of the eight projects with noted violations and all are incomplete and property has been retagged repeatedly. Pangman said there were a lot of unknowns, calling it beautiful construction that appears safe, but is yet to be determined. He added the building must meet codes at the time you get the permit. The public hearing was opened with no comments and the owner was not present. The resolution to revoke the Special Use Permit as recommended by the Sierra County Planning Commission, pursuant to Sierra County Code Section 20.05.200 was passed unanimously.
THE REOPENING of Loyalton Middle School was discussed at a Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, February 26th at the Loyalton Elementary School. District Superintendent Sean Snider led the discussion to the group of parents and community members.He stated the CDS (County District School) Code had to be reopened for the middle school and would become active on July 1st. Snider gave out handouts for the meeting and one was a timeline for the reopening, which the school board approved on February 11th. He said the Middle School Committee consisting of parents, administrators and teachers would hammer out the fine details. Snider stated there was a lot to be done and many questions like who would be the school secretary and administrators? What type of electives, PE, and how will they get meals. Snider said the High School does not stand to lose any teachers, as numbers are based on the amount of kids from 9-12. They would need to start advertising teacher positions and would like to start sooner than in April, adding right now is prime hiring season.
He opened the meeting up for conversation. It was asked if 6th grade would be an inclusive classroom. Snider stated there are middle schools that have an inclusive 6th grade classroom and 7th and 8th move around. Current 6th grade teacher Laurie Petterson stated true middle school moves from class to class with a good transition to get used to change and one subject per teacher. From the audience it was stated, “We all want this, but are worried if we can make this happen by August.” Questions were asked about maintenance and custodial, and some felt biggest concerns are the little pieces that run things. Snider assured the group that he wouldn’t want his name on something that doesn’t run right. Special Education Teacher Miranda Prakash asked where people would go who are currently in the portables to be used for the middle school. Snider was looking into options and stated there might be an opportunity to partner with Eastern Plumas Health Care and use some of their portables. He stated he would like 5-6 portable classrooms for the middle school. School drop-off and pick-up was another question.
School Board President Kelly Champion stated this first year may have a lot of growing pains that will work into something better. 3rd grade teacher Annie Tipton commented not wanting growing pains at the expense of three grade levels of kids. High School teacher Caleb Dorsey asked the odds this will work? Snider stated he is an eternal optimist and felt it is doable, and will generate additional revenues. Parents stated if the middle school doesn’t happen, something needed to change and asked what the alternatives were. One mother stated she didn’t feel her kids were safe at the high school. Dorsey wanted this to work and suggested tapping into people who have had middle school experience, like past Middle School Principal Mike Filippini. Parent Mike Rahe suggested maybe not biting off the whole chunk for the first year and just do 6th grade next year and work on the middle school problems at the high school. It was asked how the District plans to get teachers to come here and suggested incentives. Snider agreed and said Plumas County is having financial problems and may have to lay off teachers, so there may be local teachers needing positions.
Prakash really wanted a middle school, but doesn’t know how they will get it done to benefit students, adding it seemed very rushed. It was asked, if it doesn’t happen this year, will they keep trying to get a middle school up and running? Snider stated he and the board are very committed, adding there are financial incentives to get this done. He said they are looking for ways to increase revenues and this is another way. Dorsey felt they needed to be competitive enough to get good teachers, as this will affect kids in the rest of their schooling. Snider stated he would be out recruiting and expand hiring range beyond the local area. Snider ended the meeting by stating he appreciated everyone’s time, openness and commitment and would keep everyone posted.
SEPARATING THE OFFICES of County Auditor, Treasurer, and Tax Collector was introduced and suggested to waive the first reading of the ordinance at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on March 4th. Board Chair Lee Adams explained the Board held a workshop on February 11th and directed the separation of offices due to the upcoming retirement of Van Maddox the current County Auditor/Treasurer/Tax Collector. The separation of offices would not go into effect until June 25, 2025. Any increase in the budget would become a general fund expense for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Supervisor Sharon Dryden stated they had spent several hours talking about these offices, wanting the public to know this decision was not taken hastily. Adams agreed and stated Maddox came to the County with some unique qualifications and there was some concern at combining the offices back then. Maddox felt this was a good idea and made sense to separate the offices. The ordinance amending Section 5.04.130 (F)(1)(c)(ii) passed unanimously.
Assistant Treasurer/Tax Collector Jenny Varn was appointed as the Sierra County Treasurer/Tax Collector effective June 25, 2025. Personnel will begin the recruitment process to fill the upcoming vacancy of the County Auditor position.
A PUBLIC HEARING for Sierra City Traffic Survey Results was held March 4th during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Downieville. Board Chair Lee Adams stated they had sent a letter to legislators, CHP and CalTrans and was happy to report that CalTrans and CHP representatives as well as Senator Megan Dahle’s representative Yolanda Cookson and Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick’s representative Mark Mezzano, were present for this hearing. Supervisor Paul Roen was absent due to a family emergency. Public Works Director Bryan Davey gave a brief background on the item, stating Caltrans did a traffic survey back in July. Results led Caltrans to believe several speed zones needed to be changed in and around Sierra City. Davey said they have had several consultations with Caltrans and expressed concerns about locations and pedestrian facilities within the community are extremely deficient as well as the design of the highway through Sierra City. He stated their primary concern is safety to drivers, pedestrians, domesticated and wild animals. Davey added the school bus stops on the highway in the community, and many driveways back out onto the highway. He stated a portion of the code allows communities to have a public hearing and Caltrans will take all the concerns under review. AB 43 and AB 1938 were discussed and hoped the legislators attending would help to change the exemption for state highways that go through communities. Adams told the audience that all letters submitted were part of the record that will go to Caltrans. Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher laid out his concerns which included, the roadway is not suitable for higher speeds, shoulders are narrow, blind intersection and corners, numerous driveways with multiple access points, and high pedestrian and bicycle traffic. He added current conditions do not support a higher speed limit. He was thankful they don’t have a lot of accidents in that area, but felt there would be a risk for increased accidents at higher speed limits. CHP Lieutenant Jose Alatorre stated one of the biggest concerns is driver behavior and the most effective way is with enforcement and roadway design. He said raising the speed limit does not make a road safer or more efficient. Caltrans does not set speeds based on conditions and after talking to them felt they would reconsider. He conducted his own independent survey measuring speeds and it was pretty much in line with Caltrans. Alatorre stated there was some flexibility in a couple roadway designs and signage and was excited to see what they bring back.
From Caltrans, Traffic Safety Branch Chief Mary Bokova said they understand all of the concerns and tried to explain what they are dealing with, calling the speed zone justification process a “broken system” because it doesn’t work. They were hopeful AB 43 would work in the community’s favor and stated the best they could do would be low-cost improvements. She said they were doing everything they could to lower speed zones and felt they have some options by Wild Plum to lower it to 50 mph for both directions or 50 mph southbound and 45 mph northbound rather than changing it to 55 mph. Chief of Safety Programs & Safe Systems Officer Fernando Rivera stated they would take the concerns into consideration. He said they were also going to drive the area that afternoon. Other Caltrans representatives were Traffic Safety Engineer Darryl Chambers who has been with Caltrans for 20 years and made his whole career in traffic safety and Jeremy Linder a Public Information Officer for District 3 who covers Sierra County and a good liaison with the department.
Adams opened the public comment for the audience to speak. Many Sierra City residents as well as a couple from Sierraville spoke out against the proposed speed increases. Some of the points made included, the fire department’s ability to get out to emergencies with firefighters already doing traffic control. Visibility difficulty was brought up due to curves in the road. Sierra City was called a senior community with historic buildings right on the highway’s edge. Residents asked for greater enforcement. They wanted pressure on legislators to fix the system. It was stated Highway 49 is not a freeway. Highway 49 was designed to discover the Sierra Nevadas and bring people to communities like Sierra City. The economy depends on a lower speed limit. Some called this a quality of life issue, and encouraged Caltrans to walk the road in Sierra City. When Interstate 80 is closed, residents have a line of cars going through Highway 49 and the public library parking backs out at the bottom of the blind corner. Cookson said she is a Nevada City resident and shares Hwy 49. As a neighboring resident, she was there to support and felt this will happen with other towns and wanted to be able to partner together. She has lived in the district for over 20 years and been the representative for Dahle the last 6 years. Cookson stated they are most proud of “raising rural voices”. Both legislators are from small communities, so they understand where Sierra City is coming from. Cookson vacations in Sierra County and will be supporting Sierraville next. Mezzano stated he would take all points raised back to Hadwick and wants to find out why the legislation changed, adding they want to give power back to communities and laws get changed by the legislature. He will be back on the 18th for Sierraville’s public hearing. He noted over 40 people in the audience and said the power of the people will make things happen. More Sierra City residents were attending online as well.
Supervisor Lila Heuer who also lives in Sierra City stated Caltrans wants to help but it’s not just Caltrans. She said they are going to forward letters, emails, and voicemails on to the legislators and Caltrans to see if the speed limit proposal can be stopped. She added it’s “our chance to change the law” and are looking for more towns to join them. She thanked everyone for coming.
A REVOCATION OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT #965 was discussed during a Public Hearing at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held March 4th in Downieville. Planning Director Brandon Pangman explained that the property originally identified as “Coppins Meadow Lodge” located at 804 Fibreboard Road near Webber Lake obtained its Special Use Permit in 1994 along with building permits and successfully operated until 2002. The property has changed several hands since then and had unpermitted structural alterations to the main building and other unpermitted work done on the property, There has also been a considerable amount of grading done without grading permits. Pangman was concerned that large dirt piles may partially obstruct wetlands. He stated the property is listed for sale. The main lodge has had walls taken out, staircases relocated with extensive remodeling. There have been applications for three of the eight projects with noted violations and all are incomplete and property has been retagged repeatedly. Pangman said there were a lot of unknowns, calling it beautiful construction that appears safe, but is yet to be determined. He added the building must meet codes at the time you get the permit. The public hearing was opened with no comments and the owner was not present. The resolution to revoke the Special Use Permit as recommended by the Sierra County Planning Commission, pursuant to Sierra County Code Section 20.05.200 was passed unanimously.
THE REOPENING of Loyalton Middle School was discussed at a Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, February 26th at the Loyalton Elementary School. District Superintendent Sean Snider led the discussion to the group of parents and community members.He stated the CDS (County District School) Code had to be reopened for the middle school and would become active on July 1st. Snider gave out handouts for the meeting and one was a timeline for the reopening, which the school board approved on February 11th. He said the Middle School Committee consisting of parents, administrators and teachers would hammer out the fine details. Snider stated there was a lot to be done and many questions like who would be the school secretary and administrators? What type of electives, PE, and how will they get meals. Snider said the High School does not stand to lose any teachers, as numbers are based on the amount of kids from 9-12. They would need to start advertising teacher positions and would like to start sooner than in April, adding right now is prime hiring season.
He opened the meeting up for conversation. It was asked if 6th grade would be an inclusive classroom. Snider stated there are middle schools that have an inclusive 6th grade classroom and 7th and 8th move around. Current 6th grade teacher Laurie Petterson stated true middle school moves from class to class with a good transition to get used to change and one subject per teacher. From the audience it was stated, “We all want this, but are worried if we can make this happen by August.” Questions were asked about maintenance and custodial, and some felt biggest concerns are the little pieces that run things. Snider assured the group that he wouldn’t want his name on something that doesn’t run right. Special Education Teacher Miranda Prakash asked where people would go who are currently in the portables to be used for the middle school. Snider was looking into options and stated there might be an opportunity to partner with Eastern Plumas Health Care and use some of their portables. He stated he would like 5-6 portable classrooms for the middle school. School drop-off and pick-up was another question.
School Board President Kelly Champion stated this first year may have a lot of growing pains that will work into something better. 3rd grade teacher Annie Tipton commented not wanting growing pains at the expense of three grade levels of kids. High School teacher Caleb Dorsey asked the odds this will work? Snider stated he is an eternal optimist and felt it is doable, and will generate additional revenues. Parents stated if the middle school doesn’t happen, something needed to change and asked what the alternatives were. One mother stated she didn’t feel her kids were safe at the high school. Dorsey wanted this to work and suggested tapping into people who have had middle school experience, like past Middle School Principal Mike Filippini. Parent Mike Rahe suggested maybe not biting off the whole chunk for the first year and just do 6th grade next year and work on the middle school problems at the high school. It was asked how the District plans to get teachers to come here and suggested incentives. Snider agreed and said Plumas County is having financial problems and may have to lay off teachers, so there may be local teachers needing positions.
Prakash really wanted a middle school, but doesn’t know how they will get it done to benefit students, adding it seemed very rushed. It was asked, if it doesn’t happen this year, will they keep trying to get a middle school up and running? Snider stated he and the board are very committed, adding there are financial incentives to get this done. He said they are looking for ways to increase revenues and this is another way. Dorsey felt they needed to be competitive enough to get good teachers, as this will affect kids in the rest of their schooling. Snider stated he would be out recruiting and expand hiring range beyond the local area. Snider ended the meeting by stating he appreciated everyone’s time, openness and commitment and would keep everyone posted.
SEPARATING THE OFFICES of County Auditor, Treasurer, and Tax Collector was introduced and suggested to waive the first reading of the ordinance at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on March 4th. Board Chair Lee Adams explained the Board held a workshop on February 11th and directed the separation of offices due to the upcoming retirement of Van Maddox the current County Auditor/Treasurer/Tax Collector. The separation of offices would not go into effect until June 25, 2025. Any increase in the budget would become a general fund expense for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Supervisor Sharon Dryden stated they had spent several hours talking about these offices, wanting the public to know this decision was not taken hastily. Adams agreed and stated Maddox came to the County with some unique qualifications and there was some concern at combining the offices back then. Maddox felt this was a good idea and made sense to separate the offices. The ordinance amending Section 5.04.130 (F)(1)(c)(ii) passed unanimously.
Assistant Treasurer/Tax Collector Jenny Varn was appointed as the Sierra County Treasurer/Tax Collector effective June 25, 2025. Personnel will begin the recruitment process to fill the upcoming vacancy of the County Auditor position.
