Sierra Institute for Community and Environment has paused plans to build a two-story headquarters in Taylorsville.
Bella Bledsoe, the director of collaborative engagement, announced this change after the Plumas County Board of Supervisors took no action on a proposal to partner with the institute for a Community Resilience Center grant.
The grant application aimed to fund a $10 million building that would provide office space and serve as an emergency evacuation center during wildfires. The institute needed a government partner to qualify for the grant, with a deadline of September 30.
Several supervisors, including Jeff Engel, opposed the county’s involvement. Engel said the concept has merit but criticized the institute’s preparation for the project.
Local residents raised concerns about lack of public input. An email survey conducted by Sierra Institute did not satisfy many in Taylorsville. Dan Kearns, a resident, said the survey did not represent the community accurately and called for in-person meetings.
Emily Webb, who has lived in Taylorsville for 47 years, objected to the building’s proposed location. She said the project would harm the town’s small historic character.
Deb Hopkins from Quincy questioned the institute’s track record. Sierra Institute built a biomass plant in Quincy in 2019 and a sawmill in Crescent Mills in 2022, but neither is operational.
Supervisor Mimi Hall pointed to the biomass plant as an example of why long-term planning matters. She noted the plant costs more to run than it saves in energy.
Supervisor Kevin Goss said government partners should require community meetings before agreeing to projects. Supervisor Dwight Ceresola agreed on the need for more public openness.
Ariana Bernstein, the institute’s development specialist, said they had intended to do more community engagement if they received the grant. The early email survey was an intentional first step.
Though the building plans are paused, Bledsoe said the institute still needs more space to support growth. The organization employs 100 people during summer.
In other county news, supervisors quickly approved changes to the telecommunications ordinance. The new rules remove an exemption for towers on timber land, require certificates and special use permits for new towers, and increase neighbor notification distances.
Plumas County Elections Official Marcy DeMartile reassured residents that mail-in voting will proceed for the November 3 election despite national concerns. She promised all registered voters will receive ballots and said she will protect the voting process.
