Planning commission approves Chico Area Recreation District aquatic facility with conditions

The Chico Planning Commission on Thursday approved a use permit and architectural review for a proposed outdoor Chico Aquatic and Recreation Facility at the northern corner of Esplanade and Garner Lane, voting 4–0 to adopt Resolution 25-08 and approve Use Permit 25-01 and Architectural Review 25-01 with recommended conditions.

The project, proposed by the Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD), would replace a former golf course site with an outdoor aquatics complex that the applicant and staff say would include two main pools (a competition-size 50-meter pool and a warm-up pool), a third play pool, a water slide tower with multiple slides, a concession building, party rooms and support facilities. CARD estimates operations would be “from 05:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. during peak seasons,” and the site plan shows 87 vehicle parking spaces, five maintenance/delivery spaces and 20 bicycle parking spaces.

Madison Driscoll, Associate Planner, told the commission the site is zoned community commercial and designated “community mixed use” on the general plan. Driscoll said the project site borders a green line established in 1982 that separates Chico’s urban area from prime agricultural land and that the “active area of the proposed aquatic park would meet the 100-foot agricultural buffer requirements contained in Chico Municipal Code Section 19.64.040.” Driscoll recommended adoption of the CEQA finding that the project is categorically exempt under CEQA section 15183 because the proposal is consistent with existing zoning and general plan density assumptions.

Annabelle Grimm, representing the applicant CARD, said the project was first conceptualized in 2008, advanced by a 2016 feasibility study and moved forward in 2023 when the land was donated to the district. “Our vision is to create a modern inclusive aquatic center that meets a broad range of community needs,” Grimm said, listing swim lessons, lap swimming, therapeutic uses and recreational amenities as intended functions.

Why it matters: commissioners and several public speakers framed the project as both a local recreation asset and a potential driver of sports tourism. Nicole Farley, executive director of Explore Butte County, called the facility “a smart investment in Chico sports tourism opportunities.” Opponents and nearby landowners raised concerns about compatibility with adjacent agricultural uses, water use and landscape species selection.

Commission discussion and conditions

Commissioners pressed CARD and staff on pedestrian access, frontage improvements and timing. Driscoll and CARD staff said Garner Lane will be improved as part of a city capital improvement project, and that Esplanade improvements would occur later and be clarified in a modified memorandum of understanding (MOU) between CARD and the city. Driscoll told the commission that sidewalks along the frontage would be a separated cross section with “a 7-foot parkway strip and a 5-foot sidewalk.”

Commissioner comments led to an added condition asking staff and the applicant, during final plan check and coordination with the city’s capital improvement program, to “consider the feasibility of widening the sidewalk from Esplanade to the project entrance during final plan review.” That feasibility review was included as a condition of approval but did not change the project’s entitlement.

Public comment and environmental review

Speakers at the public hearing included nearby landowners, sports organizations and residents. Jeff Cripe, who said he owns adjacent orchard land, expressed concern that active agriculture “will be incompatible” with the park during the season and urged staff to take active farming into account. Several swimmers and lifeguards described a lack of modern pool facilities in Chico and urged approval.

Concerns about water use and CEQA exemption were raised during public comment. Driscoll and CARD staff said the project’s potable water for pools would be provided by California Water Service (Cal Water) and that irrigation would use an existing on-site well historically used for the former golf course. On environmental review, Driscoll said CARD acted as lead agency and filed the exemption under CEQA §15183, and staff indicated supporting studies—including a biological resources assessment and traffic study—were prepared as part of project review.

Votes and official action

The commission recorded a single motion to adopt Resolution 25-08, approving Use Permit 25-01 and Architectural Review 25-01, with the additional condition to consider widening the sidewalk during final plan review. The motion passed 4–0.

Ending

With entitlements approved, the project will proceed to final engineering, MOU updates with the city for frontage improvements and building permit review. CARD representatives said they will continue coordination with the city’s urban forester on tree species selection and with Cal Water on service arrangements.