[Nevada County Supervisor Ed Scofield represents what we here call ‘south county’. In his district there is a laudable yet long-suffering development called Rincon Del Rio that has jumped through every conceivable governmental and activist-opposed hoop imaginable. And yet its proprietors have prevailed, and may yet build the Continuing Care Retirement Community on a riverside agricultural parcel that is well suited for its intended purpose.
One of the three economic pillars of the county is the community of retirees who move here from large urban areas for our country and small community lifestyle in a scenic setting that is home to many cultural and recreational venues. The retirees are a major cash importer in the county whose presence treads softly on the county’s infrastructure and public services. These folks are well-to-do and ensconce themselves in appropriate real estate (acreage and/or town homes) when they arrive.
But as they age, sooner or later most of them will find their first homes here to become a bit too much effort to keep up or even to enjoy. Their schedules become filled with activities that are more cerebral, involve community service, and extended travel. They are still in the prime of their intellectual abilities and not yet ready for a ‘waiting for God’ type rest home. These people want to move into a secure community of like-minded people wherein they may purchase a high-end apartment or connected housing that is designed for supporting the next stage of their lives - a community that lets them continue their activities and relationships built up during their previous home maker years.
There currently exists no such community in Nevada County, and this causes most of these cash importing retirees to seek such a lifestyle elsewhere. Rincon Del Rio is designed to fill exactly that niche for county retirees reaching this stage of life. Supervisor Scofield sent me the following piece in which he weighs in on his support for Rincon Del Rio. gjr]
Ed Scofield
I recently was chastised by a good friend for my stand on Rincon Del Rio. Her comment was that I campaigned for keeping South Nevada County rural and yet supported a project with more of a traditional urban setting.
Without getting into the economic benefits to the County and the fact that we are one of California’s most advanced aged populations, here are my thoughts on justification of this project.
I am a strong supporter of agriculture in Nevada County. I support the Williamson act for legitimate agricultural use of property. I also recognize that ranching and farming can be a difficult way of making a living and agricultural families can end up land rich and cash poor. This often means selling of the land; and typically, this means housing developments. Perfect examples are Lake of the Pines and most recently Darkhorse and Cascade Crossing.
Now we have property that is wonderful range land and has ideal soil for produce, crops, orchards and vineyards. Sadly, it’s not likely a buyer for the property is going to develop this property for its agricultural potential. So what is the zoning? It does have a Special Project zoning, while at the same time allowing the potential of approximately seventy single dwelling homes. Yes, it remains rural, and it is similar to surrounding neighborhoods; but, is it the most appealing option for our South County?
We had another option. The owners of these 225 acres of land presented the County with a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) instead of the more likely housing development. Why would a developer of a CCRC be proposed on the Bear River instead of within Grass Valley or Nevada City? I believe it is precisely for the rural environment. As a senior about to retire, you now have many options for living in Nevada County. One of the most unique options will be a retirement community overlooking the Bear River complete with open space for walking, boating, and even a community garden. Many of your basic services will be available within the community and there will be transportation available for trips into the nearest towns.
I believe in some ways this project will have less of an impact on the rural quality of life than the more common option of housing. I also believe that upon completion, Rincon Del Rio will be a project that South County will take pride.
As a Supervisor serving his fifth year representing our South area, you begin to see my thinking more clearly than the new guy just making campaign promises. Some of you won’t agree with me on my decisions. Not all agreed with my support of the Higgins Market Place project. This project has been held up in court challenging our approval. As of early October, the project won the court case and hopefully we’ll see construction begin soon.
Whether we agree or not, I’ll always listen and try to do what’s best for our wonderful County.
One of the three economic pillars of the county is the community of retirees who move here from large urban areas for our country and small community lifestyle in a scenic setting that is home to many cultural and recreational venues. The retirees are a major cash importer in the county whose presence treads softly on the county’s infrastructure and public services. These folks are well-to-do and ensconce themselves in appropriate real estate (acreage and/or town homes) when they arrive.
But as they age, sooner or later most of them will find their first homes here to become a bit too much effort to keep up or even to enjoy. Their schedules become filled with activities that are more cerebral, involve community service, and extended travel. They are still in the prime of their intellectual abilities and not yet ready for a ‘waiting for God’ type rest home. These people want to move into a secure community of like-minded people wherein they may purchase a high-end apartment or connected housing that is designed for supporting the next stage of their lives - a community that lets them continue their activities and relationships built up during their previous home maker years.
There currently exists no such community in Nevada County, and this causes most of these cash importing retirees to seek such a lifestyle elsewhere. Rincon Del Rio is designed to fill exactly that niche for county retirees reaching this stage of life. Supervisor Scofield sent me the following piece in which he weighs in on his support for Rincon Del Rio. gjr]
Ed Scofield
Without getting into the economic benefits to the County and the fact that we are one of California’s most advanced aged populations, here are my thoughts on justification of this project.
I am a strong supporter of agriculture in Nevada County. I support the Williamson act for legitimate agricultural use of property. I also recognize that ranching and farming can be a difficult way of making a living and agricultural families can end up land rich and cash poor. This often means selling of the land; and typically, this means housing developments. Perfect examples are Lake of the Pines and most recently Darkhorse and Cascade Crossing.
Now we have property that is wonderful range land and has ideal soil for produce, crops, orchards and vineyards. Sadly, it’s not likely a buyer for the property is going to develop this property for its agricultural potential. So what is the zoning? It does have a Special Project zoning, while at the same time allowing the potential of approximately seventy single dwelling homes. Yes, it remains rural, and it is similar to surrounding neighborhoods; but, is it the most appealing option for our South County?
We had another option. The owners of these 225 acres of land presented the County with a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) instead of the more likely housing development. Why would a developer of a CCRC be proposed on the Bear River instead of within Grass Valley or Nevada City? I believe it is precisely for the rural environment. As a senior about to retire, you now have many options for living in Nevada County. One of the most unique options will be a retirement community overlooking the Bear River complete with open space for walking, boating, and even a community garden. Many of your basic services will be available within the community and there will be transportation available for trips into the nearest towns.
I believe in some ways this project will have less of an impact on the rural quality of life than the more common option of housing. I also believe that upon completion, Rincon Del Rio will be a project that South County will take pride.
As a Supervisor serving his fifth year representing our South area, you begin to see my thinking more clearly than the new guy just making campaign promises. Some of you won’t agree with me on my decisions. Not all agreed with my support of the Higgins Market Place project. This project has been held up in court challenging our approval. As of early October, the project won the court case and hopefully we’ll see construction begin soon.
Whether we agree or not, I’ll always listen and try to do what’s best for our wonderful County.
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