What is Wolf Craft?

Wolf Craft School is a proposed multi-discipline craft school situated on 15.77 acres in South, Nevada County, California. Founder by two avid learners and students of the arts, Leslie and Jay.

Where exactly is this located?

We’re conveniently located on Wolf Road, about 3/4 of a mile west of HWY 49 at the Higgins Corner intersection, in South County Nevada County. It’s a beautiful wooded spot, about halfway between Auburn and Grass Valley. 

What planning has gone into this project?

We’ve been working closely with the Nevada County Planning Department for over three years, to achieve a thoughtful and sensitive design that addresses overall use of the site, the buildings, landscape and environment. It’s been a highly collaborative and detailed process, involving multiple rounds of feedback and refinement. Our application was finalized in May, and the Planning Department published a comprehensive CEQA document, which outlines the environmental impact of the project. We’ve had one public hearing so far, and while we didn’t get approval, we’re appealing to the Board of Supervisors, with the next hearing scheduled for October 22nd at 10:30am.

Is this an event center?

No. We understand that hosting events can be a concern and we want to preserve the peace and quiet of the area. That’s why we’ve decided to remove events from our application and focus on the craft school, not gatherings.

Is the property zoned for this?

Our property is zoned Rural Agricultural. We’re applying for a Conditional Use Permit as a year-round Low Density Camp—think of it like a weekend summer camp for adults. In Nevada County, schools like ours are only allowed on rural properties, rather than put in water-intensive agriculture like others, we believe this use will better fit the intended use of the land without the strain of local resources. We’re passionate about using this land in a way that honors its roots, from raising animals like sheep and goats to offering hands-on classes that teach traditional skills.

Are you building this all at once?

No, we are taking a slow, phased approach to this project. We want to start as small as we can and see what resonates with the community and grow from there. Phase One will include the land's essential infrastructure(septic, plumbing, and electrical), a barn and office, a ceramics studio and 2 classrooms, small-tent cabins and a space to cook, like a food truck or fun little trailer. To apply for our use permit, we’ve made some assumptions and are projecting our vision of the future design without any real time feedback from customers. We've outlined our intended phasing plan for how we hope the project will go, but we continue to remain as flexible as possible to pivot with the needs of the community, students and the school. Phase Two would include our own private residence, with a wood and metal shop. Phase Three may include adding a permanent kitchen and converting some of the tent cabins to permanent cabins.

How are you addressing fire safety?

Fire safety is incredibly important to everyone, including us. We’re approaching the land using fire-resistant materials in our buildings and have worked with the fire marshal to ensure our property is as safe as possible. We’re fortunate to have plenty of water on-site, which gives us additional security in case of an emergency. Protecting this land and our community is a top priority.

Who’s behind this project?

We’re Leslie Barbazette and Jay Morgan, two people who share a deep love of learning and craftsmanship. Like many, we spent time during the pandemic reflecting on what truly matters to us, and that’s when the idea for this school was born. We wanted to create a place where people can come together in nature to learn new skills, just as we’ve always enjoyed doing.

Why Grass Valley?

Grass Valley is deeply meaningful to Leslie and Jay. Leslie’s family roots here date back to 1853, and they continued their lives her for over 100 years. Leslie she’s spent countless weeks enjoying this beautiful area with her family and friends. Jay, too, fell in love with Grass Valley during their many trips to the area. It’s a place that has always felt like home, and they’re excited to contribute to its future.

Is this a trade school?

While we admire trade schools and their important role in education, we’re not a trade school. Our focus is on teaching traditional crafts and skills, not offering professional certifications in trades like plumbing or electrical work. However, we do plan to collaborate with local high schools to provide enriching field trip experiences and expanding education opportunities the area. 

Will this project cause traffic?

We conducted a traffic study as part of our application process, and the results show that our project will not significantly impact traffic on Wolf Road. To address any further issues around the risk of accidents and ease any potential concerns, we’re planning to add a left-hand turn lane for traffic heading south on Wolf Road.

What about noise?

We’ve taken the painstaking time to conduct a noise study and ensure that our activities won’t disrupt the peace of our neighbors. Our course offerings are quiet, immersive craft-driven classes that don’t not contribute to the ambient noise of the region. We’re committed to continue keeping the area as quiet and serene as possible.

How will you handle light pollution?

Our buildings and landscape plan are carefully designed, using energy efficient, indirect lighting that only illuminate the essential areas of the project. Making use of down-lighting, and minimizing uplighting and outward light pollution, ensuring we keep the night sky as dark and clear as possible. Our design adheres strictly to the county guidelines and enhances the safety of the area. 

Will there be accommodations?

Yes! For those seeking multi-day courses, and immersive experiences we intend to offer cozy accommodations with up to 9 tent cabins built on platforms, each with a comfortable bed and a private bathroom. For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, we also offer an additional 4 tent cabins with shared bathroom facilities.

If you have any other concerns or questions, we’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out to us at hello@wolfcraftcollective.com. We’re here to listen and discuss any thoughts you have.