A large retirement community near Lake of the Pines has taken a major step toward reality. After an hours-long hearing Tuesday afternoon, Nevada County Supervisors have approved some modest changes to the Rincon del Rio project, which the Planning Commission recommended in March. Martin Wood, with SCO Planning and Engineering in Grass Valley, told the board says he believes wildfire safety has been addressed, which has been the biggest concern expressed…

click to listen to Martin Wood

The project will still have 345 units, with a maximum population of 415. But one critic says the changes significantly alter the types of residents who would live there…

click to listen to critic

But County Supervisor Heidi Hall says, although she has some reservations, Rincon del Rio is needed, with such a severe housing shortage in the area…

click to listen to Heidi Hall

Rincon del Rio will be on 48 acres, with an adjacent 167 acres of open space. Amenities would include walking trails, community gardens, an aquatic fitness center, bocce ball courts, tennis courts, and pickle ball area. There is no groundbreaking date at this time.