COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Little has changed since Colusa last updated its General Plan in 2007, when expectations were that the population of the city would exceed 12,000 by 2027 after five new housing subdivisions added some 4,900 new homes.
While that did not happen, the State of California requires cities and counties to periodically update their general plan to serve as the blueprint for future growth and development. The plan is a long-term policy document that outlines the vision and goals for the community and provides a framework for making informed decisions on land use, whether they come to fruition or not, officials said.
Colusa City Manager Jesse Cain said the cost of a general plan update will be considerable.
“We actually put out a request for proposals,” City Manager Jesse Cain told the city council at their Feb. 4 meeting.
Colusa grant writer Sadie Boggs Ash said the proposals for $1.6 million and $1.7 million indicate that some of the planning work will have to be done by city staff.
“We reached back out to the two firms and asked for the ‘handholding’ version, where they will provide some oversight as the city does as much of the planning in house,” Ash said. “No matter which way we go, we are not going to get it for under $1.2 million.”
Ash expected at least three bids, but noted many cities are currently updating their general plans.
Colusa’s 2007 General Plan was the first new growth plan the city had adopted in 13 years and was five years in the making. Cities typically update General Plans every 10 to 20 years to reflect changes in conditions and community priorities. Public participation is an important part of the planning process, ensuring that the plan represents the community’s vision for its future, officials said.
Ash said city staff, because of the cost, will begin prioritizing the tasks and elements, dealing with the most important matters first and deciding what can be kicked down the road.
General Plans have required elements, including land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, safety, and environmental justice. The plan may also include optional elements that address other important local issues, such as economic development, community health, or historic preservation.
Cain said the city will not do a full update of all the elements, but some elements will be a priority, particularly housing and open space, the latter being required by Jan. 1, 2026.
“You have to stay on top of those,” Cain said.
Colusa Mayor Ryan Codorniz said some cities adopt housing design guidelines, something the city does not currently have, so neighborhoods maintain a cohesive look when new homes are built, but Ash said she does not recommend Colusa do that.
Cain said the city council must keep in mind that any updates to the General Plan will come at a prohibitive cost. The city is streamlining the requirements and will seek additional quotes before the council approves a consultant contract.
Ash stated that approximately 20 percent of the tasks will require immediate attention, 10 percent will be strongly recommended, and 70 percent can be deferred to a later date.
“We are getting close to the end of our current General Plan,” Ash said. “A new General Plan will get us to 2045 or 2047. You are not looking at everything every year. Some are just every five years.”
Ash said because the current General Plan is not manageable, the city should begin fixing what needs to be fixed.
The city council did not specify when the next discussion on the General Plan will be back before them for action, but asked staff to keep them apprised of the priorities and costs as next year’s budget is developed.
“The longer you wait, the more expensive it’s going to get,” Cain said.