Look, feel of Colusa County's future under review

Public interest has been high as the county undergoes an extensive update of its general plan.

Visioning meetings held in Stonyford and Williams were the first in a series of workshops where the public provided input on the future of Colusa County.

The meetings assist planners in determining preferred land uses and identifying community goals and priorities for the next two decades, according to planning consultant Ben Ritchie, of DeNovo Planning Group of Sacramento.

"It's a key part of the process," Ritchie said.

About 15 people attended the workshop in Stonyford two weeks ago, according to Colusa County Supervisor Denise Carter. About the same number attended Tuesday's meeting in Williams.

Each workshop focused on general plan issues pertinent to the community where they were held. Workshops are scheduled for Arbuckle, Maxwell and Colusa.

"There is a lot of diversity in each of the communities," Carter said. "It's going to be interesting to see how it all comes together."

Ritchie said the general plan is a "blueprint" that will guide future development within the county. Elements of the plan will focus on land use, traffic and transportation, housing, safety and noise, air quality, water management, agriculture resources and economic development.

For the first time, the county's general plan will have to address climate change as required by the state Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, better known as Assembly Bill 32 - introduced by Assemblyman Fabian Nuñez, D-Los Angeles, and Assemblywoman Fran Parley, D-Agoura Hills.

The county's current general plan was adopted in 1989, Ritchie said.

At the meeting in Williams, public input comprised of the county's need for industry, public infrastructure and housing.

Jerry Maltby said most of his work group were in agreement that the county should focus on attracting and retaining agriculture-related businesses and tourism that will allow the county to retain its rural character.

"Housing would follow," he said.

Ritchie said the general plan update process will include many more public hearings.

The Board of Supervisors last week created a general plan steering committee to serve as a temporary advisory body for both the board and the Planning Commission during the general plan update.

The steering committee's duties will include community outreach and building community support for the plan, according to Planning Director Steve Hackney.

The board is expected to seat about 15 members on the committee.

The general plan update should be completed by November 2010, Ritchie said. The housing element of the plan is the only element that has a specific legislative deadline.

Due to the requirement, the housing element will be completed in advance of the draft general plan, Ritchie said.

GENERAL PLAN VISIONING MEETINGS

ARBUCKLE
7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 6
Arbuckle Fire Department
506 Lucas St.
COLUSA
7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22
Colusa Industrial Properties Conference Room,
100 Sunrise Blvd.
MAXWELL
7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 4,
Maxwell Veteran’s Hall, 250 Oak St.
INFORMATION
458-0408
www.countyofcolusageneralplan.org.

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.