On Saturday, multiple sources indicated that Nevada City’s City Planner had quit abruptly. On Monday, we sent an email to the Assistant City Manager, with questions on the city’s plans to minimize impacts on permit applicants and projects. As of publication time, still no reply from City Hall. 

Hi Lon,

I need a comment on the abrupt departure of your city planner and the implications for permit applicants,  the postponement of the ADU height hearing, projects like the General Plan update. 

What kind of delays can permit applicants expect, how soon do you expect to fill the position with a qualified candidate?

We plan on publishing later today or tomorrow morning at the latest. Please email your response to this email address.

Thanks,
Pascale

We wanted to know if and how the city planner’s departure would impact Nevada City residents, those with permit applications or plans awaiting processing by the planning department – now reduced to one technician. What happens to ongoing City projects: the skatepark, the open space element of the general plan, the Dark Skies ordinance, artwork that was supposed to be installed at the Broad Street Y, the update to the ADU ordinance (postponed as of the latest agenda) – after all, the city lists housing as one of their priorities. 

The lack of response from City Hall raises questions about transparency and its potential impact on public service, particularly given the city’s stated commitment to ‘timely and accurate responses to media inquiries.’

It is fair to expect a certain amount of triage and prioritization of requests. However it is equally fair to expect a response in a timely fashion to a query such as the one above. It was an opportunity for city staff to demonstrate the transparency to which they aspire and, if they so choose, provide reassurances to their citizens. 

Nevada City staff unveiled a new proposed communications strategy during the September 8th Economic & Community Development Committee, dubbed “Communications Nirvana” by Assistant City Manager Lon Peterson. The plan lists several objectives, including “timely and accurate responses to media inquiries and during emergencies.” [page 86 of the packet]

Stonewalling or hastily drafting a press release based on a reporter’s question to do preemptive damage control is not what a city with a small staff should focus on. Such delays can lead to the perception that communication strategies are prioritized over addressing public concerns, potentially undermining public trust. As a presumably unintended consequence, it also piques any reporter’s curiosity and “more digging” ensues.

This is not the first time a request for comment or a query has been ignored. If the city wants to “shape the message,” replying to a reporter’s email would be a good start. The community has a right to know if internal staffing issues impact service delivery or if the processes in place allow for normal operations.    

Editor’s note: This was slated as a news story, scheduled to run on Monday evening telling Nevada City residents about the city’s response. We made the decision to hold off due to indications of more significant developments unfolding at City Hall, which we are actively following.