Sierra Central Credit headquarters OK'd in Yuba City

Sierra Central Credit Union headquarters plans won unanimous approval on Tuesday by Yuba City City Council members who called the development evidence of an economic turnaround.

"It's nice to see, finally," Councilman Kash Gill said. "Hopefully, there'll be more."

Ron Sweeney, chief operating officer for Sierra Central Credit, said after the vote that the project was put on hold in 2008 because of the economy.

"Certainly, for us, the worst of it is over," Sweeney said.

He said the financial performance of the credit union is connected to the employment of its members. Construction may begin in the summer of 2013, Sweeney added.

The development on 8.2 acres at Butte House Road and Harter Parkway covers three phases and a 132,600-square-foot project.

Aaron Busch, community development director for Yuba City, told the council before its vote that, "It's nice to have a development project to present."

Architect Rick Rengel said electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle parking areas were added to the credit union's plans to comply with the city's new green building code.

City planning staff recommended approval for the project development plan at their Oct. 24 meeting. They found the development would not have a significant impact on the environment.

Sweeney had told commissioners the development consolidates five administrative sites here for the credit union.

The first phase would accommodate at least five years of growth before the second phase is considered. At buildout, the project is proposed to have three buildings of 53,600, 42,000 and 37,000 square feet.

Darin Gale, economic development manager for Yuba City, said Sierra Central has 14 branches in Northern California and that the development will serve as the corporate headquarters.

The branches will continue to operate, he added.

CONTACT Ryan McCarthy at rmccarthy@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4780. Find him on Facebook at /ADrmccarthy or on Twitter at @ADrmccarthy.