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October 21, 2008
Study Area 9
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| Image: An image from the
study area 9 "vision" provided to City and County leaders. It shows
open space, park, and conservation areas. The document can be downloaded
from here (3MEG PDF) and describes the project in rough terms. Back in February I took an ATV tour of the Doe Mill study area 9 property with Bill Brouhard. This property is located in south Chico between Potter Rd., Skyway, and the Doe Mill development. Brouhard has taken roughly 200 people on this tour on behalf of the land owner Steve Schuster. There have been stories in both the E-R and CNR describing the tours and the potential project. City Councilors, County Supervisors, and staff members of various agencies have all been to the property. In short, the project would exist on a 1425+ acre site. ~1500 homes are proposed by the land owner and about 900 acres would be set aside as open space. The 900 acres includes a 400 acre regional park with many of the characteristics you find in Bidwell Park. There is also a 60-90 acre Community Park that CARD has penciled into the plan. I think study area 9 describes very well some of the land use issues that the City Council is dealing with tonight for inclusion into the General Plan. The county is discussing the possibility of developing the property as it falls outside of the city limits. The county anticipates a need for 16,000 new residences in its General Plan update. The land owner can develop the land in 20 acre home sites under existing county rules. Or the city could expand into the area through LAFCO (Local Area Formation Commission) and allow it to be developed under city control. From an environmental standpoint there are not a lot of obstacles to developing this property. Water flows only seasonally and the site represents something close to 0.1% of the Tuscan aquifer recharge area. No endangered plants or animals have been found on the site in three years of studies. Water from this site does flow into an adjacent meadowfoam preserve (during the winter) and impact on that area and the aquifer would need additional studies. During the winter the site is used for cattle grazing by cattle trucked down from Susanville. From a recreational standpoint the additional community park land for CARD is certainly desired. More importantly, as the city grows additional pressure on Bidwell Park could be relieved with the 400 acre regional park that would separate the developed property from Honeyrun Road, Stilson Canyon, and property east of the study area. The Bidwell Park expansion fund is currently at -$1,800,000. This balance, and the city's budget problems, ensure that Bidwell Park won't be expanded anytime soon. More problems like the fallout between the preservationists and the disc golfers-paragliders will occur as Chico grows. The ~400 acres of open space not used for the large parks would create open space corridors along seasonal water routes, neighborhood parks, and habitat conservation areas. Hiking, mountain biking, disc golf, and equestrian use are being discussed. The property owner has expressed an interest in funding all infrastructure for the project, although I don't know if that includes extending sewer trunk lines to the site which could be costly. I think the initial concept of this project is significantly different from other developments that I've seen proposed. The opportunity to add so much park land and another regional park is significant. If the city passes on this project I hope the county moves it forward. |
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| Full Disclosure: I like this project quite a bit from a recreation standpoint. But since I often point out connections between people and projects in Chico, I think it's necessary for me to point out that I have connections to the project proponent, and the site. I've been out to the site about a dozen times since February and have been checking out possible areas for recreation components. I also consider Bill Brouhard a friend who helped considerably with the Nico Project I worked on last year. Guillon Inc. Construction, Brouhard's employer donated about 70% of the concrete work for the playground. The following link is a photo-record of the construction of the Nico Project. If you've never seen it check it out, it turned out great, and is located in Caper Acres in lower Bidwell Park. Image Below: A graphical representation ot the park acrage proposed in this project versus existing and desired standards. |
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Posted by Lon at October 21, 2008 08:54 AM
Comments
Butte County Study area 9 will be the majority of City Council's "compromise". They will urban reserve anything else (which means place it off the oven much less the back burner) and have the plan consist of at least one aspect of what C doesn’t. This will allow the majority to radicalize Planning Commissions recommendation and allow the progressive Council to “appear” flexible. This will save the Holy Grail for their constituents who have drawn a line in the “Prime Ag”, Bell Muir / Mud Creek area (City of Chico's Growth Area 1) and keeps face with referendum wheeling Dolan.
At least that’s my pre-game show analysis. Enough with the “ “ already.
Posted by: Jason Bougie at October 21, 2008 04:22 PM
"Jason"
I think the whole urban reserve thing is misguided. It promotes a belief that private development can be called up at the city's whim. Capital is available to develop property based on the property being in a position to be developed. You don't just wave a wand and expect a business to be there with cash to build homes and pay development fees.
I think you're right and they'll choose something larger than option C, in an effort to swing closer to the middle.
Let me know tomorrow if what they select is closest to A, B, or C. I don't think I'll watch the show.
Lon
Posted by: Lon at October 21, 2008 04:36 PM
What, no gateway cafe'?
Isn't Area 9 where the alien spacecraft crashed in 1947? What about the extraterrestrial impact report, has it been done?
Just wait 'til the (insert agenda here)-shed folks get a hold of this. OK, I am way too cynical.
Posted by: David Walton at October 21, 2008 06:00 PM
They've replaced all gateway cafes with Volkswagon dealerships incorporating outdoor seating and espresso machines. It's going to be very walkable, and very German.
Lon
Posted by: Lon at October 22, 2008 09:12 AM
"very German" - vas ist das? no bier garten?
Posted by: juanita at October 24, 2008 10:28 AM