Business breakfast packed

The Yuba-Sutter area is growing, and growth is good.

That was the message at the Business Connection Breakfast sponsored by the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce on Friday morning at the Plaza Room in Hillcrest Plaza.

"We really believe that Yuba and Sutter counties are the wave of the future," said Randi Knott, director of government affairs for developer KB Home.

About 90 people attended the breakfast.

"It's the biggest (breakfast) we've ever had," said Mary Anderson, a member of the breakfast committee. "People are interested in growth. Every time we have any growth issues (a lot of people attend)."

KB Home plans to build about 750 homes in the area over the next four years, Knott said. She said there are no plans to build attached units (apartments or condominiums), but that could change in the future.

"We've proven that there is a market for them ... and if the government makes it easier, we will have more," Knott said.

Building condominiums would give buyers more choices, said Darin Gale, a legislative advocate with the Building Industry Association.

Though some local residents do not support growth, homes are going fast, Gale said.

"We are not supplying enough," he said.

Gale said the demand for new homes has led to additional building, and that has also created more jobs in the Yuba-Sutter area.

"Builders are building new communities and leaving room for commercial areas," he said. "As soon as there's enough people, the McDonald's will move in, the gas station will move in. Builders build homes for the people, and the people demand the services."

Gale is aware of concerns people have about the growth. Those concerns are natural, but more homes may allow more people to "have the American dream of owning a home," he said.

"Builders are building new communities to enhance the existing community," Gale said.

Business owner Christina Schneider of Yuba City told the gathering that she is content with the community's growth because it should bring in more customers. Still, she worries about possible problems like traffic congestion.

"More building brings more jobs, and it brings more money. It just has to be well-controlled," Schneider said.

Appeal-Democrat intern Olga Muñoz can be reached at 741-2400. You can e-mail her at omunoz@appeal-democrat.com.