Oroville City Council rezones Thermalito neighborhood
City’s sign law updated as well
OROVILLE » After approving by a vote of 7-0 on all but one of the items on Tuesday’s consent calendar, the Oroville City Council approved an amendment to rezone the village at Ruddy Creek subdivision before that area is annexed by the city.
The amendment changes the zoning designation on approximately 23.95 acres at 18th Street and Feather Avenue in Thermalito to allow for the development of 97 single family residential lots rather than previously proposed high density housing, which could include apartments and condominiums.
The council initiated annexation procedures Dec. 15 for that area, which is adjacent to other land outside the city limits that is also zoned single family residential.
Among other councilors, Mayor Chuck Reynolds spoke on the topic and said that he has received emails from the public about concerns
and has walked the area of the development himself.
He said he sees it as a way to clean up an area that has become a “junkyard.” Also he said he sees it could attract businesses to the area and keep the high income positions with the companies in Oroville. Reynolds and Councilor Eric Smith mentioned how many people commute to Oroville for work from places like Chico.
“Over 8,500 people commute to Oroville but have a lot of our high income jobs,” Reynolds said. “I’m a little embarrassed that we’re trying to get better restaurants and clothing but there’s nowhere for their managers and upper staff to live. We need to raise our standards, up our game, we need to provide.”
Councilor Janet Goodson raised her concerns for the project, stressing housing
for all is of much importance to her.
It passed 4-1, with a no from Goodson and Councilor Art Hatley and Vice Mayor Scott Thomson recused from the discussion due to their homes in near proximity to the development.
Signs
A public hearing was held regarding the zoning code amendment and proposed revision of Oroville Municipal Code 17-20 regarding the city’s sign ordinance.
In general, the changes clarify approval authority, stiffen maintenance and abandonment requirements, allow more freedom for the design of commercial signs, increase the maximum height of signs within a quarter mile of Highway 70, and add regulations for dimensional signs and electronic programmable signs, according to the city’s agenda packet.
Councilor Art Hatley raised concern about private property and government control over it, while others raised concern over the use of billboards and advertising signs around the city. A motion to waive the first reading and introduce the new code by title No. 1849 was passed 6-1, with Hatley voting no.
Records
Councilors voted unanimously to approve a $200,000 budget for the scanning and archiving of old city hall documents through Left Coast Scanning in Chico.
City staff said that initial costs should reach near $153,000 leaving flexibility for blueprints and flexibility for the project to grow if needed. Staff said the project will pay for itself in four years due to money saved on public records requests.
Skid steer
The approval of the purchase of new Caterpillar skid-steer loader, a Bobcat type vehicle, as well as a trailer to tow it, for the city was passed unanimously. City staff said the current one has been operating for 33 years and has two years left before it will have to be taken out of service. The new one will have rubber tracks instead of tires, saving the city the cost of replacing flat tires, staff said.
Revisions to the city’s budget policy and purchasing procedures was voted on and passed 6-1 with a Hatley no.
The next meeting of the Oroville City Council will be held at 4 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Oroville City Council Chambers, 1735 Montgomery St. The meeting will be broadcast on cityoforoville.org and YouTube.