General Plan 2040 Update

NOTICE OF BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEARING

The Butte County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on March 28, 2023, at 9:15 am, or shortly thereafter, regarding the Certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), adoption of Butte County General Plan 2040 with recommended revisions, Findings of Facts and Statements of Overriding Consideration, approval of the General Plan 2040 Action Plan, and adoption of the Upper Ridge Community Plan. The meeting will be held in person in the Butte County Board of Supervisors’ Room, County Administration, 25 County Center Drive, Oroville, California. Public comment will be accepted in-person at the meeting or may be submitted prior to the meeting. Use the following information to remotely view the Board of Supervisors meeting, including the Public Hearing portions, online (pursuant to recent changes to the Brown Act Teleconferencing Rules, no online public comments will be taken):

Link:  https://www.buttecounty.net/324/Board-of-Supervisors

• Notice of Board of Supervisors Hearing – March 28, 2023

NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING

The Butte County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on March 9, 2023, at 9:00 am, or shortly thereafter, to consider making a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors on the Certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and adoption of Butte County General Plan 2040. The meeting will be held in person in the Butte County Board of Supervisors’ Room, County Administration, 25 County Center Drive, Oroville, California. Public comment will be accepted in-person at the meeting or may be submitted prior to the meeting. Use the following information to remotely view the Planning Commission meeting, including the Public Hearing portions, online (pursuant to recent changes to the Brown Act Teleconferencing Rules, no online public comments will be taken):

Link: http://bcdds.net/PlanningCommission
Event (Meeting) Number: 2551 541 1463
Event Password: Planning

• Notice of Planning Commission Hearing - March 9, 2023

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (DEIR)

• Cover
• Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Table of Contents
• Executive Summary (Chapter 1)
• Introduction (Chapter 2)
• Project Description (Chapter 3)
• Environmental Setting (Chapter 4)
• Environmental Analysis (Chapter 5):
  
  • 5.1  Aesthetics
  • 5.2  Agriculture and Forestry Resources
  • 5.3  Air Quality
  • 5.4  Biological Resources
  • 5.5  Cultural Resources and Tribal Cultural Resources
  • 5.6  Energy
  • 5.7  Geology and Soils
  • 5.8  Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • 5.9  Hazards and Hazardous Materials
  • 5.10  Hydrology and Water Quality
  • 5.11  Land Use and Planning
  • 5.12  Mineral Resources
  • 5.13  Noise
  • 5.14  Population and Housing
  • 5.15  Public Services, Parks and Recreation
  • 5.16  Transportation
  • 5.17  Utilities and Service Systems
  • 5.18  Wildfire
• Unavoidable Impacts, Irreversible Changes, and Growth-Inducing Impacts (Chapter 6)
• Alternatives to the Proposed Project (Chapter 7)
• Organizations Consulted and Qualifications of Preparers (Chapter 8)

On January 6, 2023, the Department of Development Services issued a Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Butte County General Plan 2040 Update. The NOA provides the public, public agencies, and responsible and trustee agencies a 45-day public review/comment period on the DEIR. The 45-day period commences on Friday, January 6, 2023 and concludes on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Any written comments (via email or letter) on the DEIR must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Written comments may be mailed to Mark Michelena, Principal Planner, Butte County Planning Division, 7 County Center Drive, Oroville, CA 95965. Email comments can be sent to [email protected].

During the 45-day review period, the Butte County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 25 County Center Drive, Oroville, to receive comments on the DEIR. The Planning Commission will preside over the meeting; however, it will not take any action on the Draft EIR or project. Staff will note general themes of verbal comments made and will address them in the Final EIR. Members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments to ensure that their specific comments are represented in the project record and addressed in the Final EIR. This hearing will also be held via an online format. Members of the public who wish to participate online in public comment are encouraged to register in advance of the hearing by emailing [email protected]. Use the following information to remotely view and participate in the Planning Commission meeting, including the Public Hearing portions, online:

Link: http://bcdds.net/PlanningCommission
Event (Meeting) Number: 2559 907 4900
or
Phone number: United States Toll Free: 1-844-992-4726     Event Password: Planning

• Notice of Availability

Notice of Preparation (NOP)

On October 7, 2022, the Department of Development Services issued a Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (NOP) for the Butte County General Plan 2040 Update. The NOP provides an opportunity for agencies, organizations and interested persons to comment on the proposed scope of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

A public scoping meeting, both virtual and in-person to receive verbal (and written) comments on the proposed scope of the EIR is scheduled from 5 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. The meeting will be held in the Butte County Human Resources Training Room, located at 3 County Center Drive, Oroville. See the Notice of Preparation Notice below for login information.

• Notice of Preparation (PDF)
• Notice of Preparation Notice (PDF)

Please send your written comments by emailing Mark Michelena with "Butte County General Plan Update EIR" as the subject or mail to:

Butte County Planning Division
7 County Center Drive
Oroville, CA 9596

Public agencies providing comments are asked to include a contact person for the agency.

Due to the time limits mandated by State law, your response must be sent at the earliest possible date, but no later than the close of the 30-day NOP review period at 4 pm on Monday, November 7, 2022.

If you have any questions, please email Senior Planner Mark Michelena or contact him by phone at 530-552-3683, or email Planning Manager Dan Breedon.

Updated Housing Element Public Draft - September 30, 2022 (See Link Below)

In an effort to address informal comments from HCD, Butte County has revised the July 2022 version of the 2022-2030 Draft Housing Element. The revised draft of Housing Element is available for review below. The HCD 90-day review period ends on October 19, 2022.

Comments on the revised draft Housing Element can be submitted by emailing Tristan Weems or by mailing or delivering written comments in person to:

The Department of Development Services
7 County Center Drive
Oroville, CA 95965.

Butte County 2022 to 2030 Housing Element Public Draft (Revised September 30, 2022) (PDF)

General Plan 2040 Survey - This survey is intended to measure how well the Draft General Plan is addressing a variety of important subjects. Once you have had the opportunity to review the Draft General Plan 2040 please take a moment to provide some feedback through this survey.

Draft Butte County General Plan 2040 (See Links Below)

Factors Contributing to the Need to Update the General Plan

• The existing General Plan 2030 was adopted nearly 12 years ago (October 26, 2010) - updates are needed to keep the plan topical and relevant to changing conditions
• Redistribution of population and impacts and recovery needs of the Camp Fire, North Complex Fire and Dixie Fire
• Legislative mandates from the State concerning climate change and adaptation policy, environmental justice policy, and fire hazard impacts
• State law mandates an update of the Housing Element in 2022 for the next effective period until 2030

Role of the General Plan

• Establish the community's long-term vision for the future, including where people in Butte County will live, work, shop, learn, and recreate.
• Guide all zoning and land use decisions within the unincorporated County.
• Shape future housing, support job growth, foster healthy and resilient neighborhoods, protect and manage natural resources and agricultural lands, ensure community safety, and promote social and economic equity.

"The General Plan is more than the legal underpinning for land use decisions; it is a vision about how a community will grow, reflecting community priorities and values while shaping the future" (Source: Governor's Office of Planning and Research, General Plan Guidelines).

Overall Goals of the General Plan 2040 Update

• Support Camp Fire and North Complex Fire recovery and changes that have taken place to populations and settings
• Address current and future needs of Butte County
• Engage community members in discussions and input regarding adaptation, community resilience, public safety, and environmental justice
• Comply with State regulations

The Public Draft General Plan 2040 is available below. You will see that each of the chapters, including each element of the Draft General Plan, has their own link for easy navigation. The Public Draft General Plan 2040 will be available for the public's review throughout 2022, with future public workshops planned in September where the public will have the opportunity to learn more about the update process. Look for updates on when and where the workshops will be held on this webpage. Consideration of the adoption of General Plan 2040 is not scheduled until January/February of 2023. Comments and questions on the Draft General Plan 2040 may be emailed to Mark Michelena.

Butte County General Plan 2040 Public Review Draft

• Introduction (PDF)
• Guiding Principles (PDF)
• About Butte County (PDF)
• Land Use Element (PDF)
• Economic Development Element (PDF)
• Agriculture Element (PDF)
• Water Resources Element (PDF)
• Circulation Element (PDF)
• Conservation and Open Space Element (PDF)
• Health and Safety Element (PDF)
• Public Facilities and Services Element (PDF)
• Area Plans Element (PDF)
• Environmental Justice Element (PDF)

Butte County General Plan 2040 Open House Workshops

Oroville

• Southside Oroville Community Center, September 20th
• 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road, Oroville, 5 pm to 7 pm

Chico

• Lakeside Pavilion, September 21st
• 2565 California Park Drive, Chico, 5 pm to 7 pm

Butte County's Draft General Plan has been made available for public review and we want your feedback! This important document will guide development in Butte County for many years to come. Please join us at our upcoming open house events to learn about the General Plan 2040 Update. Butte County Development Services and PlaceWorks Staff will be on hand to discuss the update, including information on the Environmental Justice, Health and Safety, Water Resources, Circulation, and Land Use Elements.

The two Open Houses are set up as informal settings where you can drop in anytime during the event to talk with representatives from our team. This is an opportunity for you to participate in the updating process of General Plan 2040. We are eager to hear your thoughts and feedback is strongly encouraged! Be a part of your Butte County General Plan!

For more information, please check out our flyer (JPG) or email Mark Michelena.

August 11 Planning Commission Housing Element Workshop

The Butte County Planning Commission will hold a workshop to receive a presentation on the Draft 2022 to 2030 Housing Element. This workshop will be held via a hybrid (in-person and remotely online) format. In-person will be held at 25 County Center Drive, Oroville. To access the workshop online, the public is encouraged to register in advance of the hearing by emailing [email protected] Use the following information to remotely view and participate in the Planning Commission meeting, including the Public Hearing portions, online or:

• Phone number: United States
• Toll Free: 844-992-4726
• Event Password: Planning
• Meeting Number: 2552 278 493

At this workshop, County staff and consultants will provide an overview of State Housing Element requirements and the process for updating the Housing Element. The consultants will then make a presentation on the draft Housing Needs Assessment prepared to support the Housing Element Update process, as well as its implications for revisions to the existing Butte County Housing Element. The workshop will seek input and direction from the Planning Commission and the public to refine the draft Housing Element and associated strategies to be considered later by the Butte County Board of Supervisors.

• Agenda Report (PDF)
• Attachment A - Policy Document (PDF)
• Attachment B - Housing Needs Assessment (Appendix A) (PDF)
• Attachment C - Rebuild Sites (Appendix B) (PDF)
• Attachment D - Public Comments (PDF)
• PowerPoint (PDF)

2022 to 2030 Housing Element - Public Review Draft August 11 Planning Commission Workshop

The Butte County General Plan's 2022 to 2030 Draft Housing Element is available for public review and comment for 30 days, from June 4, 2022, to July 5, 2022. The 2022 to 2030 Draft Housing Element is the County's plan for addressing the housing needs of residents of all income levels in the unincorporated areas of Butte County. The major updates and required changes are centered on the revised housing allocations based on the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), addressing Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing in accordance with State law, and a review of the success in meeting the goals and objectives of the previously adopted Housing Element. Public comment may be submitted in writing by email to Senior Planner Mark Michelena or by mail to:

The Butte County Department of Development Services
7 County Center Drive
Oroville, CA 95965

Please provide comments by 4 pm, Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

• 2022 to 2030 Housing Element - Public Review Draft (June 2022) (PDF)

Interim Transportation Threshold for Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and Related Update to Butte County's Environmental Review Guidelines

The Interim Transportation Threshold and the update to Butte County's Environmental Review Guidelines were presented to the Board of Supervisors on April 26, 2022. The Board, by resolution (No. 22-065), adopted the Interim Transportation Threshold of Significance under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for Vehicles Miles Traveled (VMT) and the update to Butte County's Environmental Review Guidelines.

• Interim Transportation Thresholds (PDF)
• Butte County's Environmental Review Guidelines (Amended - April 26, 2022) (PDF)

Overview

Butte County is updating the General Plan. Since the current General Plan was adopted, the devastating Camp and North Complex Fires destroyed nearly 17,000 structures, including more than 14,000 homes, and displaced many more residents. The updated General Plan will support the County's efforts to rebuild and create a more resilient future. We are also using the update as an opportunity to address issues related to climate adaptation and environmental justice, as well as other new State laws. To achieve these goals, the County is working closely with community members and stakeholders to ensure we fully understand community needs and opportunities and how to address them.

What Is a General Plan?

The General Plan establishes the community's long-term vision for the future, including where people in Butte County will live, work, shop, learn, and recreate. It guides all zoning and land use decisions within the unincorporated County. It will shape future housing, support job growth, foster healthy and resilient neighborhoods, protect and manage natural resources and agricultural lands, ensure community safety, and promote social and economic equity.

Project Goals

• Support Camp Fire and North Complex Fire recovery
• Address current and future needs of Butte County
• Engage community members as key decision-makers for adaptation, community resilience, public safety, and environmental justice
• Comply with State regulations

Components

• The updated Health and Safety Element will address the life-changing impact of recent disasters like the Camp and North Complex Fires and the Oroville Dam crisis and respond to community needs, values, and priorities that have emerged in their aftermath. It will also provide a framework for adaptation and resilience to climate change, as well as develop community evacuation modeling to assist in the development of future evacuation plans.
• The updated Housing Element will include a plan to ensure that residents of all income levels can find housing, including rebuilding fire-destroyed units.
• The new Environmental Justice Element will address the topics of pollution exposure and equitable access to resources and opportunities to advance environmental justice in the county, as required by Senate Bill (SB) 1000. Environmental justice means the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes in decisions about land use and other environmental regulations so that no communities are disproportionately burdened by pollution.
• The Land Use Element will be revised to manage development in a way that supports the community's vision for the future of Butte County as well as updating information regarding equitable access to infrastructure and public services in compliance with SB 244.
• The revised Circulation Element will address how the County evaluates the transportation impacts of new development. It will also respond to new and emerging County priorities, including increased support for active transportation, and changing conditions like new transportation technologies.
• The updated Water Resources Element will focus on water conservation opportunities to sustain Butte County's groundwater, as well as policies to support resilient water supply and infrastructure.