Wayne Nader: The challenges in Placer County's District 5

Placer County Supervisor District 5 is geographically immense; it goes from just above Newcastle, including some of the Mt. Vernon area, all the way to the Nevada border, taking in part of the north and western areas of Lake Tahoe along the way. By law, each district within a county must have equal population numbers. With the significant growth that has, and is continuing, in the southwestern part of Placer County, each time there is a new census, the districts in the lower part of the county will keep getting smaller, while District 5 gets bigger in size. The foothill and mountain regions of District 5 have seen very little population growth. Due to the rugged physical terrain and infrastructure limitations, this district is not likely to see much growth in its resident count in the years ahead. District 5 is very unique from the more populated areas of Placer County. The mindset of the residents leans heavily toward rural. There is a quaint charm about the region that has drawn people, not just from the Bay Area but nationally as well. The longtime locals have expressed, sometimes loudly, their concerns for the potential of a change of character in their beloved area due to the influx of these new residents. Certainly, the hope would be their desire to move here was because of what it is rather than what it could be. More than 75 percent of the population of District 5 is in the greater Auburn area. It's critical that the county supervisor for this district live where the concentration of residents are, because they have a greater understanding of the area and will fight for it every day. The current office holder's background and living situation has always been in the Tahoe City area. A clear and present danger for District 5 vs. other parts of the county continues to be wildfire. Many homes in the district are integrated into tree-covered landscapes that make for an idyllic setting but comes with great risks. This calls for a vigilant effort by everyone in the district to harden their properties against this threat. Much has been done by individual property owners and on a larger scale along the canyon areas of the American River, but future progress on this still needs be an ongoing top priority of locals and the elected. The homeless issue in the district, particularly concentrated in the Auburn area, has and continues to be a troubling issue. The county has been challenged by the legal constraints that surround the national crisis of homelessness. It is unrealistic to believe the homeless problem can ever truly be resolved. It is just a matter of managing it in a way that does not allow it to jeopardize the safety and quality of life in our communities. Over the past 10 years, it seems like the county has had a trial-and-error method of addressing the homeless problem in North Auburn, but it now appears they are getting on the right track to manage it in a more effective manner. The Gathering Inn's work in North Auburn, through a contract with the county, has been making a big difference in getting this issue under control. For District 5 residents in the greater Auburn area, Highway 49 is becoming problematic for traveling through much of the area. Most say they try to avoid 49 as much as possible. It is critically important that any development that would add traffic to 49 must cautiously be evaluated. Growth in Grass Valley/Nevada City and areas along the way are likely adding to the congestion in Auburn. Every effort should be made to get all through traffic, especially large trucks, to use the Bell Road "expressway" to and from I-80. Electronic signs encouraging that route should be installed. Given its close proximity, many Auburn residents enjoy time at North Lake Tahoe. That part of District 5 has been changing, and not in a good way. Overloaded roadways frequently cause lengthy backups in traffic. The infrastructure simply can't handle the heavy influx of vehicles. Placer County has allowed development and is continuing to consider more projects that have and will compound this issue. The county has also provided thousands of short-term rental permits in the Tahoe area, which in effect has turned not often used second homes into almost literally motels that are used on a regular basis. The cumulative impacts of these unfortunate decisions are ruining the once-wondrous and magical experience of the unrivaled beauty of Lake Tahoe. As a Placer County native and longtime resident of Auburn, I have been troubled by decisions by the Board of Supervisors that appear to have a bias toward special interest rather than the community's interest. Over the past three decades, I have been in various positions of public service, from eight years on the Placer County Planning Commission to 12 years as chair of the Placer County Audit Committee to serving on boards and committees that addressed issues on fire services, transportation, agriculture and regional planning. I am passionate about Placer County and will continue to boldly stand for what is best to ensure that it continues to be a wonderful place to live. Wayne Nader is running for Placer County District 5 Supervisor. He can be reached at wnader@wavecable.com.