Owner may pay up to $54,000 in parking fees to develop Powell House

The Nevada City Planning Commission will discuss plans for the Powell House at it meeting Thursday, which starts at 6:30 p.m.

The three-story home on the corner of Spring and Pine streets now has seven parking spaces. In order to meet the city’s parking requirements for the project, the Nevada City resident needs to pay the city $4,500 apiece for the remaining 12 spaces, which adds up to $54,000.

 The new owner of the Powell House has agreed to pay as much as $54,000 in parking mitigation fees as part of a plan to convert the historic structure into a residential and retail unit.

  According to the Nevada City Planning Commission’s agenda, Brad Croul needs 19 parking spaces for his project, which now calls for five apartments and a retail business that could be as large as 1,900 square feet.

   The three-story home on the corner of Spring and Pine streets now has seven parking spaces. In order to meet the city’s parking requirements for the project, the Nevada City resident needs to pay the city $4,500 apiece for the remaining 12 spaces, which adds up to $54,000.

  The Planning Commission will consider the proposal when it meets at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Nevada City Hall on Broad Street. The meeting will be broadcast on Channel 17 for Comcast customers and on the web at www.nevadacountytv.org

 The plan for the Powell House calls for two 850-square-foot one-bedroom apartments on the top floor, three 550-square-foot studio apartments on the ground floor, and a commercial/retail unit of 1,900 square feet on the main floor.

  City Planner Cindy Siegfried will recommend to the Planning Commission tonight that Croul initially pay $18,000 for four parking spaces for future tenants. He would pay the remaining $36,000 if he lands a retail client, according to the Planning Commission packet. If Croul converts the entire building to apartments, he would pay no further money for parking.

  According to the city planner’s office, the owner has also agreed to lighting and landscaping plans, to preserve all stained glass windows, install a sprinkler system, prohibit storage on the property, and have future signage approved by the Planning Commission.

  In addition, the commission is recommending that Croul contact the Nevada County Historical Society to help prepare a plague on the Pelton wheel for the property.

   The original Powell House was built in the 1850s, making it is one of the oldest structures in Nevada City. It was vacant when Croul purchased it this year. The previous owner had hoped to convert the building into hotel but was unable to complete the project.