Chico hearing on Barber Yard draft EIR spotlights neighborhood worries over contamination, traffic and infrastructure

City of Chico planner Mike Sully opened a public comment hearing on the draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the Barber Yard Specific Plan, saying the city issued the draft EIR "at the beginning of the year, and that kicked off a 45 day review period that we're in the middle of right now." The project covers the old Diamond Match factory site and about 150 acres near downtown Chico.

Why it matters: speakers said the site''s historic industrial uses and current cleanup plans, combined with proposed off-site stormwater infrastructure, could affect adjacent neighborhoods, a nearby preschool and schools, local creeks and the green line that separates urban Chico from county land.

The project and draft EIR

Mike Sully described the site as roughly 150 acres that includes an L-shaped warehouse at the north end, two historic brick buildings in the middle that the plan would retain, and a roughly 3-acre asphalt cap at the south end where previous owners buried contaminated soils under orders from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. The draft plan proposes zoning changes (about 79 acres in R-2 and 26 acres in R-3, per the presentation) and a mix of parks, neighborhood streets and a possible sports facility or higher-density housing on the warehouse parcel.

Sully emphasized process: after the 45-day public comment period the city will compile comments, prepare written responses and publish a final EIR that may amend the draft. He asked speakers to submit written comments in addition to public testimony.

Neighborhood concerns raised at the hearing

Contamination and cleanup: Several residents urged a pause to the project until more testing and public review of hazardous materials is completed. Chris Nelson, identified in the hearing as a resident and…