Northwest Chico Specific Plan and EIR

City of Chico

DC&E led a consultant team to develop a comprehensive plan for a 632-acre area of undeveloped or underutilized land known as the Northwest Chico Development Area (NCDA).  The NCDA is located at the edge of the City’s sphere of influence line and has faced ongoing development pressure.  Although land use designations and zoning requirements can potentially change through the Northwest Chico Specific Plan process, existing development includes rural residential, agricultural and industrial uses, an elementary school and scattered commercial enterprises.  A number of parcels are proposed for residential development, although these proposals are generally being made in a piecemeal fashion rather than comprehensively.  In response, DC&E developed a strategic and comprehensive approach to land use, circulation and open space planning, with an emphasis on maintaining connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists.  DC&E also planned for a mixed-use commercial core adjacent to a proposed 36-acre community park.  In addition to a careful analysis of stormwater runoff associated with future development, other infrastructure issues will require new development in the NCDA to be comprehensively planned in order to ensure appropriate and sustainable development while adequately addressing existing and proposed impacts.