An opportunity to help map out the Yuba’s future

Yuba County supervisors want residents to serve on an advisory committee for the general plan update.

Sixteen people will serve on the committee, including two from each of the county’s five districts.

The panel will be rounded out by one person each from the Building Industry Association, California Rural Legal Assistance, a yet-to-be-decided local environmental group, a representative from Beale Air Force Base and the Yuba County Office of Education.

“This is a two-year effort,” Supervisor Mary Jane Griego said Tuesday. “I believe it’s a worthy effort.”

The general plan is a document that serves as a blueprint for future growth. It is comprised of at least seven components called “elements” which cover housing, land use, community development, transportation and circulation, public facilities and services, conversation and open space, and economic development.

No set deadline is in place, but county officials hope to have the first public meeting in June or July with a finishing date for the plan in early 2009.

In February, supervisors contracted with EDAW Inc. to carry out the general plan update for about $1 million.

The advisory committee will meet six times at key points in the update process but not make decisions.

Panel members will comment, raise questions and make suggestions to the general plan consultants.

The volunteers should have knowledge about planning and environmental issues, possess in-depth knowledge about one or more of the key general plan issues and are familiar with significant geographic areas of the county.

Supervisors initially debated the committee size and who should be appointed.

Supervisor Dan Logue wanted representation by a senior citizen. Griego wanted people representing Olivehurst, Arboga and Plumas Lake.

Planning staff recommended representation from Yuba College, the Linda Business Association, Dobbins/Oregon House Action Committee and others.

Community Development and Services Agency Director Kevin Mallen recommended a compromise by replacing those representatives with two people from each district.

County officials said there will be opportunities for people not on the committee to give their suggestions during workshops that will be held throughout the process.

Staff members wanted the number of committee members large enough to represent the diverse interests in the county without making the committee so large it become ineffectual. With more members, “It becomes not as useful,” said Senior County Planner Dan Cucchi.

County Administrator Robert Bendorf, Economic Planning Coordinator John Fleming and Planning Director Wendy Hartman will assist the committee.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Daniel Witter can be reached at 749-4712. You may e-mail him at dwitter@appealdemocrat.com.