The Colusa Planning Commission last week got its first look at a tentative subdivision map in southwest Colusa County that could pave the way for the construction of new single-family homes.
The Planning Commission will take no formal action on the Wescott Project until the initial environmental studies are completed and presented, but Colusa Industrial Properties CEO Ed Hulbert sought to get input from the commission and public early so he and the planning department can put forth the most desirable project for the city, officials said.
City Engineer David Swartz has been working on the project. He is now joined by new Colusa Senior Planner Mathew Fontes, who was introduced to his first meetings of the City Council and Planning Commission on Feb. 7 and Feb. 8, respectively. Fontes is the husband of Colusa Grant Writer Fernanda Vanetta.
Hulbert is seeking to subdivide the property on Wescott Road, west of CIP’s Sunrise Landing project, to accommodate about 240 single-family lots and 14 acres of open space.
Colusa County zoned the property for future residential use in 2014, before the area was annexed into the city for sewer and water services.
Hulbert said it is his intent to have a 3.51 acre park area, which would serve both Wescott and Sunrise residents, and multiple locations within the development have been explored.
“Everybody has a different thought on where the park should be,” Hulbert said. “Some homeowners don’t like being next to a park; some don’t mind being next to a park.”
The 14-acre open space – which will line up with the 10-acres carved out from the Sunrise Landing Project – is to provide a safety corridor for agriculture aircraft, Hulbert said.
Hulbert said a commercial area of 1.17 acres could also be included in the project if the city sees opportunity there.
“If the city thinks there is a fit for some commercial – maybe a little bit of sales tax in that location, which is next to Walnut Ranch and Country Club – that’s fine with us,” Hulbert added. “We still have enough lots to make the project viable.”
Hulbert said the tentative subdivision map was also put before the Airport Land Use Commission early so all agencies involved in the decision-making process can provide input before official action is needed.
Hulbert said the traffic study has been completed, although he is awaiting additional environmental review, including the impact of the project on greenhouse emissions, now that mitigating climate impacts is a requirement under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Sunrise Boulevard will be the main thoroughfare for both the Sunrise Landing and Wescott projects, running from Highway 20 to Wescott Road.
Colusa Planning Commissioners said they liked the look of the project, although they wished it would include homes for more moderate income earners.
“I like that the project is not isolated from established neighborhoods,” said Planning Commission Chairman John Martin. “The streets are right in line with the future (sewer) collector in that area. The 14 acres I think would be a great spot for wildlife conservation and the flight path will be great for residents. And 3.5 acres of park is great for our parkland-to-residents ratio.”
Hulbert said he has not selected a builder yet for the project.
Swartz said the project will be built in phases, with contractual obligations being written into each phase.
The city requires housing developers to pay their fair share of facility improvements so as not to burden the existing taxpayers, Swartz said.
Hulbert anticipates it will take about two more years to get the housing project fully entitled to begin construction. ■