The Butte County Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the Maidu Mountain Line housing development in East Oroville, including a General Plan amendment, a rezone to Planned Development and a tentative parcel map. Roland Hickel, Senior Planner with the Development Services Department, told commissioners the applications propose 22 residential units on a 7.6-acre site at 4001 Hilldale Avenue and that staff recommended the commission adopt two resolutions with findings for the Board's consideration.

Hickel said the project would be built in two phases and remain below the existing medium-density residential zoning's potential density. "The applicant is proposing only residential development, 22 units," Hickel said, adding the first phase would create 12 single-family homes on a 4.5-acre parcel and the second phase five duplexes on 2.8 acres. He told the commission the project parcel now contains a vacant single-family home and a detached shop that would be demolished and that the site is served by the South Feather Water and Power Agency and the Loafer Creek/Oroville Area Public Utility District.

The application package paired two resolutions: one recommending the Board approve the General Plan amendment, the planned development rezone and development plan; the other recommending approval of the tentative parcel map. Hickel also told the commission staff determined the project was exempt from further environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15.183 and that a site-specific biological resources assessment found only low potential habitat for three species; no individuals were detected on site. He said the project would replant about 47 oak trees and be consistent with the county’s oak woodland management plan. The development would include three new access roads built to county standards, on-site stormwater retention and roof-mounted solar on the homes.

Commissioners asked logistical questions about how the planned development structure would be handled in the future and whether individual lots could be split later. Hickel said landowners would have to return and amend the planned development to change that structure. No public comment was offered on the item.

Commission action: a commissioner moved to adopt the two staff resolutions recommending the Board of Supervisors exempt the project under CEQA Section 15.183, approve the General Plan amendment, approve the planned development rezone and development plan, and approve the tentative parcel map. A second was given and the chair called for the vote; commissioners voiced assent and the motion carried with no opposition. The commission’s recommendation forwards the project to the Board of Supervisors for final action.

The Board will consider the commission’s recommendation at a future meeting; the Planning Commission record includes staff reports and the biological resources assessment for the Board’s review.