By Susan Meeker
COLUSA, CA (MPG) Colusa officials said all the city needs to update its General Plan is about two years and $1 million.
All California cities must have a general plan, which serves as a blueprint to guide the physical development of the city.
“The last general plan was adopted in 2007,” said City Manager Jesse Cain, at the March 5 City Council meeting. “It’s typically a 20-year plan.”
Cain said the city must start preparing for the update now so as not to let time escape. The city’s plan will outline vision and policies for future development, and cover various aspects, including land use, community character, circulation, safety, parks, recreation, conservation, noise, municipal facilities, public services, and housing.
“It’s a big project,” said City Engineer Dave Swartz. “That is why I really want to get in front of it.”
Swartz will be working with Cain to outline the scope of work that will need to be done, at its estimated cost to bring it back to the City Council.
In addition to general plan language changes, which will go before the Colusa Planning Commission during its regular meetings, the city will complete an Environmental Impact Report and approve zoning changes where appropriate.
Consultant Jake Morley, of Chico-based Guillon Inc., said the process will require outreach and public engagement.
Morley said some of Colusa’s elements may just need minor “surgical” updates to outdated language and incorporate changes in state law. The city’s housing element, the only part of the general plan that must be updated every five years, was recently updated.
The state, since the passage of Senate Bill 100 in 2016, also requires an environmental justice element, addressing equal treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
City officials said they hope to get the general plan process started by October or November.
While the consultant will be doing the majority of the planning, EIR, and zoning updates, Marley said a full general plan update could run as high as $3 million and take up to three years to complete, but city staff, including Swartz and Colusa Planner Mark Tomey, will do as much work “in house” to keep costs down.
Cain said the cost of the general plan update must be borne by the city’s general fund and cannot be split with enterprise funds, such as water and sewer.
But without it, the city would lose eligibility and opportunity for grant funding, officials said.
Colusa Mayor Daniel Vaca said an updated general plan and EIR will also help the city attract new businesses.