|
2007-04-18, Cohasset Area Workshop
(Development
Services Presentation)
Wednesday, April 18th
at 6 p.m.
Cohasset Community Center
11 Maple Creek Ranch Road, Cohasset 95973
Butte County General Plan 2030
Community Meeting Summary
The Butte County General Plan
2030 Community Workshop for Cohasset was held on
April 18, 2007 at the Cohasset Community Center.
This meeting is one of 20 community meetings
scheduled to take place in all of the unincorporated
parts of Butte County. The meetings are designed to
take input directly from community members about
their area’s assets, issues, and consideration of
land use changes by the General Plan 2030 process.
About 35 people attended the
Cohasset meeting. Also in attendance were 2 members
of Butte County's Citizens Advisory Committee (Bruce
McClintock and Mike Evans). Butte County Department
of Development Services staff Pete Calarco and Noel
Carvalho gave an overview of the Butte County
General Plan 2030 process as an introduction to the
evening. For the next 70 minutes, they facilitated a
discussion about the area's assets, issues, and
areas for potential future change. The following
summarizes the assets and issues discussed at this
meeting (a complete listing of community assets,
issues, and areas mentioned for change is also
available):
Assets
Once known as a logging community
and for its award winning apple orchards, the
community of Cohasset treasures it historic roots.
Located approximately 15 miles northeast of the
Chico, residents enjoy the peace and quite the
forested foothill community offers. While secluded
from urbanization, they appreciate the short drive
to Chico for daily or weekly needs not available in
the community. Residents specifically enjoy the
abundance of trees, creeks and riparian areas found
in and around the community, providing habitat for
wildlife including the migratory deer herd. The
community is sheltered from excessive noise and
light pollution from the valley and is not densely
populated. Additionally, the general store and
elementary school are greatly appreciated and
recognized as an asset.
Issues
Cohasset is a community
constrained by a limited and variable water supply.
Little rainfall during the winter months can cause
some wells to run dry in late summer while others
are unaffected. A few concerns were expressed about
ground water pollution resulting from parcels with
high concentrations of livestock located adjacent to
existing wells. Additionally, there is some fear
that increased housing density will put more strain
on the limited water supply. At this time, there is
no alternative water supply to supplement households
in need during a dry season.
The community at large agrees
that Cohasset Road is an issue for several reasons.
It is the main road in and out of the community. In
the event of a wildfire, many doubt its adequacy for
handling an evacuation. Neighbors agree it is in
much need of widening and repair. Many cyclists use
the road for recreation. Without bike lanes or
shoulders there is little room for cyclists and
drivers to share the road safely. Many voiced
disappointed at the county’s failure to widen the
road as promised in the past. Some members in the
community ride share to Chico but are frustrated at
the lack of a ride share parking lot. Additionally,
during the snowy winter months, it was indicated
that poorly maintained roads added to the safety
concern and that snow removal equipment congests the
roads further as a result of limited equipment
staging areas. Aside from Cohasset Road, community
members identified several unpaved county roads that
generate dust and debris. Many bridges were also
pointed out as poorly maintained.
There are a small number of
poorly maintained mobile homes and trailers
scattered throughout the area. Many are visible from
the road. Neighbors would like to see these sites
cleaned up to help improve the character the
community. Additionally, trespassing, vandalism,
partying, illegal dumping, vehicle abandonment and
firearm discharging on private property is an issue.
Many residents are forced to clean up the debris
left behind as a result.
One member noted that Cohasset is
a foothill community with different needs from
valley communities and that the county needs to
recognize this difference by not applying a uniform
set of goals, policies and codes across the county.
Future/Vision
Proud of it history and
character, the community agreed that maintaining and
enhancing its identity through improved building and
design standards is important. They liked the idea
of some design consistency throughout. One member
suggested establishment of a gateway and roundabout
with a historic monument along Cohasset Road to help
identify the entrance and center of town. Included
in this improvement, residents would also like to
see the roads widened to accommodate both vehicles
and cyclists. Some members suggested a bike route
separate from the road that connected Cohasset to
the existing bike trail at the Chico airport. This
would improve safety and provide transportation
alternatives some desire.
Also suggested were County
incentives for green building design and alternative
energy, a future water reserve to serve the entire
community during the dry months and a community
park.
While some residents favored
little or no change, many residents were not opposed
to future development as long as it is in harmony
with the area, follows the communities envisioned
identity and does not put additional strain on the
water supply.
The information obtained from
this meeting will be provided to the Butte County
2030 Citizens Advisory Committee, the Planning
Commission, and the Board of Supervisors. The
information will be used to help create the Butte
County General Plan 2030 land use alternatives that
will be discussed in Workshop Series #2, which
begins with a Public Workshop on May 17, 2007 at
6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Oroville Municipal
Auditorium. This Public Workshop will follow with
additional meetings with the Citizens Advisory
Committee, Planning Commission, and Board of
Supervisors. |
