Where do new homes belong?

Yuba County officials are in the process of updating the general plan that will set guidelines for the county through 2030.

But to move forward, they need public input on where houses should be built.

Project Manager Dan Cucchi said for the next step, known as the "housing element," he and his team at the county's planning department need to gather input from residents on land use and the best places to build new homes.

"We want to make sure the housing element meets the needs and the vision of the community in the future," he said.

Russ Brown, the county's communications and legislative affairs coordinator, said the result of the June 3 election showed county officials that residents were very concerned with the way county growth was headed.

Voting to unseat Supervisor Don Schrader "demonstrates there is a concern," Brown said.

Schrader voted for the Yuba Highlands project as a supervisor in 2007, and as a member of the Planning Commission, he voted for the Plumas Lake Specific Plan in 1993.

"The entire general plan update comes down to individuals and where they live and how it affects their quality of life," Brown said.

A Web site that contains information about the general plan update, as well as the ability to receive community input, was launched this week.

The Web site includes gene al plan documents, scheduled meetings and an chance for residents to sign up for e-mail updates.

"We're excited about the e-mail updates because it's just another way to communicate to people what is going on," Cucchi said. "There's also an element where residents can submit comments or suggestions"

Cucchi said the "housing element" is required to be updated every five years by state law. But since the general plan is being updated, results of the housing element will be included in that document.

"We want to know what the community wants, and it's our job to make it happen," he said.

Three housing element workshops are scheduled in June including Tuesday in Linda, June 24 in Marysville and June 26 at Lake Francis Resort in Dobbins.

Know & Go

Housing Elements Public Meetings

• June 17, 6 p.m., Health and Human Services Building, 5730 Packard Avenue, Linda

• June 24, 6 p.m., Yuba County Government Center, 915 Eighth Street, Marysville

• June 26, 6 p.m., Lake Francis Resort, 13919 Lake Francis Road, Dobbins

General Plan Update Web site: www.yubavision2030.org

Contact Appeal-Democrat report Andrea Koskey at 749-4709 or akoskey@appealdemocrat.com