Butte County General Plan 2030 staff including Tim Snellings and Dan Breedon provided a presentation to the Palermo Community Association at their meeting of April 15, 2009 on the Butte County General Plan 2030 process, including the new Zoning Ordinance. Supervisor Connelly also attended and provided the perspective of their elected representative regarding the issues discussed.  Approximately 12 members of the public and Association members attended the meeting.  General Plan 2030 staff provided an overview of the Butte County General Plan 2030 process and the actions taken by the Board of Supervisors at the April 14, 2009 Board of Supervisors Meeting held on the final Countywide Land Use Map for Butte County General Plan 2030.  The various new General Plan 2030 designations, as well as the existing General Plan designations for the Palermo area were covered by staff.   Staff also provided an overview of the Deer Herd Mapping for the foothill regions, and answered questions regarding the Williamson Act and how agriculture is defined under the General Plan.

Those in attendance at the meeting were interested in the continued viability of Agriculture in the Palermo area as well as opportunities for economic development and growth.  Specific comments related to enhancing economic viability of small farms and ranches by allowing a variety of agricultural practices in the zoning ordinance, such as growing horticulture crops, and allowing equestrian related uses.  Several in attendance also voiced support for allowing clustered residential development in agriculture areas, to help provide farm families with housing opportunities without building on scattered parcels.  Those present were provided Butte County General Plan 2030 Newsletters and were provided staff contact information for staying current on the Butte County General Plan 2030 process and for providing additional comment.