CHICO — Only standing room was available at the Planning Commission meeting Thursday night to discuss the Valley’s Edge development plan.
The Chico Planning Commission received a lengthy presentation on the city’s largest proposed development plan as well as a statement by the applicant and considerable public input. In fact, there were 45 members of the public who turned in comment cards.
Principal Planner Mike Sawley opened the presentation and provided some details on the Valley’s Edge Specific Plan, widely referred to at the meeting as the VESP. Sawley and staff recommended that the commission certify the Environmental Impact Report and approve zoning changes to allow for the development before it goes before the Chico City Council.
Sawley provided some information regarding how the project will be broken down. For example, the southern part of the development is planned to be designated for seniors 55 and older. Below that zone will be what Sawley labeled the Regional Park zone which runs along Honey Run Road. This is where the majority of open space would be.
Additionally, there will be a four-acre space meant for 90 affordable housing units, Sawley said.
Christine Kronenberg handled the environmental impact portion of the presentation. The majority of issues presented could be mitigated with the exception of two parts: Aesthetics and greenhouse gas emissions.
Aesthetically speaking, the visual environment will be impacted on multiple sides as opposed to the vast open area that is present currently.
For greenhouse gas emissions, the development will affect the city of Chico’s ability to meet gas reduction goals for 2040 and 2050, Kronenberg said.
The applicant for the project, Bill Brouhard, was given a portion of time to provide additional information on the project before the commission as well as why he thinks the project is important.
Brouhard cited multiple aspects of the project that he believes will have a positive impact on the city, such as 750 acres of open space that will be available to the public, comparing it to Bidwell Park.
The project is set to take at least 20-30 years to come to fruition as planned and mapped out.
In regards to public comment, the chambers were loaded with residents ready to speak out for or against the development.
Comments against the development project consisted of a wide range of concerns including drying wells, water usage, increases in traffic, environmental impacts and air quality. Those speaking in favor of the project, most of which came from real estate agents and those who helped in the development process, cited the housing crisis and protecting open space and growth as reasons for supporting the project.
One speaker was removed from the building as requested by Planning Commission Chairwoman Toni Scott.
A decision was not reached in time to meet the deadline for this newspaper. The decision as well as more detailed public comment will be provided in a later story.
