Local property owner urges rezoning of commercial building for housing during public comment

At the start of the March 4, 2025, Willows Planning Commission meeting, a property owner identified as Nan Zhou addressed the commission during public comment and asked that her commercial building be allowed to change to residential use so people could live there.

Zhou described owning the building for nearly nine years and said she faces ongoing costs for property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance. "I had this building almost 9 years... I have to pay, tax, property tax and insurance and water sewer and PG and E... The money, I think every year always fixed, they already fixed to maybe cost maybe a thousand dollars," Zhou said through remarks recorded in the transcript.

Zhou said the structure appears like a house and that she planned only minor interior additions such as a shower and gas range to make it habitable. She said there are houses on each side of the property and that she has installed an 8‑inch sewer line. Zhou told the commission she has experienced squatting and described the situation as urgent; she asked the commission and staff for assistance in understanding the process and to permit the change.

A staff member responded that planner Jessica (staff) would review the materials submitted that day and verify what is needed and would get the owner scheduled for follow up. The transcript records the staff exchange: "Jessica's gonna look at the stuff that got submitted today, and then we'll verify that what's good, and we'll get you scheduled." The record does not show any formal application filed for the address mentioned during the public comment period.

The commission did not take any action on the request during the meeting; the item was delivered as public comment and not part of the posted agenda.