Planning commission approves Flaherty special‑events venue with conditions, adopts mitigated negative declaration

The Nevada County Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit for a proposed special events venue on McCourtney Road (CUP2500055) and to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program recommended by staff.

Alina Church, the county’s assistant planner and project planner for the permit, described the 23.42‑acre parcel and the proposal to hold private events for up to 150 guests and a maximum of 50 events per year, with event hours restricted to 9 a.m.–10 p.m. She said the proposal includes 95 parking spaces (92 standard, two accessible van spaces and one van‑accessible space) and relies on an existing gravel driveway and a secondary emergency access via American Ranch Court. Church recommended approval of CUP2500055 subject to findings A–L in the staff report and adoption of the mitigated negative declaration (IS EIS250013).

Public comment was largely supportive. "Our county has been in need of a venue like this," said Kathy Hinman, a Penn Valley resident who manages a local Association of Realtors chapter. Neighbor Seth Leishman and community volunteer Tisha Hambrelin also testified in favor, noting the property’s design, parking and past use by charities.

One neighboring landowner, Jules Ferdell, urged caution: he said an existing animal corridor and occasional shooting on nearby acreage raised safety and boundary concerns and requested follow‑up with county mapping and a possible record survey.

Applicant James Flaherty described operational details and mitigation measures: trash is bagged inside the barn and removed by the next morning (or taken the night of the event), and the applicant has implemented real‑time on‑site noise monitoring. Flaherty said monitoring of roughly a dozen events showed property‑line noise levels between 35 and 44 decibels, below the county standard for 7–10 p.m.

The commission included amended conditions requiring the applicant to provide written notice to all property owners within 500 feet by April 1 each year identifying the schedule of anticipated events (with the understanding last‑minute events can occur without mailed notice if they remain compliant) and to submit a solid‑waste disposal plan before operation. The Nevada County Fire Marshal will impose defensible‑space and other fire‑safety protections as a condition of approval.

Commissioners asked whether the applicant could seek future amendments if demand grows; staff said increases in guest counts or event frequency could be approved administratively or could require a return to the commission depending on the scale of change and the need to revisit the environmental review or technical studies (septic, water, traffic). The motions to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration (pursuant to CEQA Sections 15074 and 15097) and to approve CUP2500055 as conditioned passed unanimously by roll call.

The commission closed the item after the votes.