Approximately 65 people attended the Board of Supervisors Study Session held on November 27, 2007 from 2:00 pm – 10:30 pm.  Several Citizens Advisory Committee members were also in attendance.  This Study Session was the final meeting of Butte County General Plan 2030 Series #2/3 devoted to the development of General Plan 2030 Alternatives for Land Use, Transportation and Policies.  An overview of the General Plan 2030 progress and process was provided by Development Services Director Tim Snellings and General Plan consultant David Early of Design, Community & Environment.  

The Policy Alternatives, consisting of 14 topic areas and 27 policy questions were then individually reviewed by the Board of Supervisors.  The Policy Alternatives included recommendations made by the Planning Commission and Citizens Advisory Committee. The Board provided staff with numerous substantive comments concerning each of the 27 policy questions and answers.   The Policy Document will be updated by staff to include the Board’s changes and comments. The Policy Document will be used to set the framework for the more extensive and detailed goals and policies development that will take place during Meeting Series #5, scheduled to take place in the later half of 2008.

The Land Use Alternatives, consisting of 43 individual Study Areas that are grouped into three major Alternatives were then individually reviewed by the Board of Supervisors.  Input from the Planning Commission was also highlighted for the Board’s consideration. The Board made a number of substantive changes to individual Study Areas.  The Board also removed 8 of the 43 Study Areas from the Alternatives.  The 8 Study Areas removed included:  1) Study Area A North Chico Highway 99, 2) Study Area B North Chico, 3) Study Area #4 Chico Growth Area #1, 4) Study Area #5 Chico Growth Area #2, 5) Study Area #6 Chico Growth Area #3, 6) Study Area D North Butte Valley 7) Study Area F Bangor Extension and, 8) Study Area I East Gridley Road. 

The Board’s final approval of the Alternatives sets the stage for the next phase  of the General Plan 2030 process, the Selection of a Preferred Alternative (Meeting Series #4), tentatively scheduled to begin in March 2008. Prior to Meeting Series #4, an extensive evaluation will take place for each of the three alternatives and the County as a whole.  This evaluation will examine many different factors such Transportation and Circulation, Fiscal Impacts, Agricultural Impacts, Water Supply, Wastewater Infrastructure, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Public Services, and Safety/Hazards that will help identify areas suitable for growth and conservation.

To keep current with Butte County General Plan 2030, please visit us at http://www.buttegeneralplan.net .  A more detailed summary of this meeting will be available in 1 week.