Chico must grow in, not out

We need to understand that Valley’s Edge — the Chico mega-development planned between Skyway and 20th, Bruce Rd. and Honey Run — is only the tip of the iceberg. Developers expect to build south from Chico to Butte College. Valley’s Edge, with a proposed 2,777 units, is just the start.

It’s critical now for us to decide how we want Chico to grow. Do we want to sprawl like Fresno? Or do we want to preserve the unique quality of Chico — community-oriented, historic, and intimately connected to the natural environment?

We have so much underutilized land close to downtown. Can we grow utilizing existing infrastructure, with walkable sidewalks, tree canopies, small electric buses, and aesthetic affordable housing à not wasting taxpayer’s hard-earned money on new infrastructure or sprawling over pristine lands because it’s more profitable for developers?

Let’s name some reasons why Valley’s Edge should not be approved:

FIRE: it is in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Zone. The land has already burned three times in the last 19 years!

TRAFFIC: Its design is not compatible with Public Transit, and it’s estimated to have 20,000+ car trips a day. Traffic on Skyway, 20th, and Bruce Rd. would be a nightmare.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS:

The Valley’s Edge Draft Environmental Impact Report states the emissions cannot be mitigated, causing dangerous climate change — and more fires, more drought.

WATER: Our mega-drought limits our water use, lowers our wells, creeks, and endangers our treasured heritage trees. Join www.Smartgrowthadvocates.org. “GROW IN, NOT OUT!”

— Elizabeth Devereaux, Chico