Yuba County seeking input for General Plan

Yuba County's years-long process to update its General Plan took another step Wednesday evening, and a draft version of the document to guide the county's development in the next couple of decades is expected to be available within weeks.

A couple of dozen county residents, officials and others involved in development and planning attended a scoping meeting for an environmental impact report to accompany the plan Wednesday, each bringing their own points of concern.

But all of them seemed united on one point: As the plan sets out a vision for the county's future, their voices better be part of it.

"We're talking about our communities, our property rights, our property values," said Dalia Cahill, an Oregon House resident concerned about lot-size limits and other restrictions on private property. "How much do you think we'll be listened to?"

County planner Dan Cucchi, and Matthew Gerken, a consultant working with the county on the General Plan update, repeatedly told Cahill and others public involvement is a critical part of the process.

Part of the commitment to such input, they said, came through the meeting itself, meant to get thoughts and opinions on what the Environmental Impact Report to accompany the update should specifically examine, in addition to broader topics.

"It's not possible to tell between now and 2030 all the things that might change, so we don't try to," Cucchi said. "We want to know what the scope of the analysis with the EIR should be."

The county will take comments on the report's scope through July 19, with more opportunities for public participation when draft versions of the update and the EIR are released later this year.

Pending local and state approval, the update should be completed by January, Cucchi said.

But those who spoke at the meeting wanted strong attention paid to details directly affecting them. Tom Eres, an attorney for the Wheatland-area Hofman Ranch, said any plan for new housing development on the valley floor should strongly consider the affect on local drainage.

Too often, he added, private citizens and taxpayers feel as if they're arguing against what consultants and county staff have already decided when crafting such documents, rather than directing the conversation.

Likewise, Nick Spaulding, a longtime Oregon House resident, wanted the county to consider the economic impacts of certain development approaches, and consider shifting public opinion on man-made climate change.

Cucchi and Gerken said the best way to play a role was for interested parties to get involved early, and stay involved.

Even after the General Plan update is done, Cucchi added, the county has more work to do. An update of zoning ordinances, and creating specific community plans for at least some parts of the county, would give more room for input, he said.

Such discussions are already ongoing, such as in Dobbins/Oregon House, where a group of property owners is making slow progress on a plan meant to balance desires for continued rural living, fire safety and economic development.

SHARE YOUR INPUT

Comments on the scope of an environmental impact report to accompany Yuba County’s General Plan update will be accepted through July 19. Comments can be made through the website.