Your Opinions

Valley’s Edge built mainly for outsiders

Valley’s Edge developer Bill Brouhard proclaims, “What’s visionary about the plan is a lifestyle infusing nature, trails and outdoor recreation into daily life.” Unsaid is that this lifestyle is intended mainly for the benefit of wealthy outsiders who can afford to buy in Valley’s Edge.

Only nine acres of 1,448 acres are allocated for small houses on small lots, townhouses, and apartments. This plan is designed for wealthy non-locals. Perhaps living space for the serfs needed to serve these newbies could be upgraded pallet housing behind an aesthetically designed high fence.

Beau Beagle, 12/29, writes that he “would much prefer Valley’s Edge over the indiscriminate rows of cookie-cutter apartment buildings and houses built almost on top of one another.”

Mr. Beagle what sort of housing do you prefer for the majority of Chicoans who could not possibly afford to live at Valley’s Edge?

Valley’s Edge developers could have planned a stunning development that provided the housing that Chicoans need and can afford, but they would have needed to be creative and content with less profit.

Admittedly, building affordable housing is challenging and less profitable, but Valley’s Edge as proposed is absolutely inappropriate for these times when US inequality is insane, and housing for too many hardworking Americans is unaffordable.

For a pleasant future the US had better deal with that grotesque inequality in its very stressed, heavily armed society.

Affordable housing not reliant on vehicle ownership with easy access to jobs, shopping and nature would be a start.

— Lucy Cooke, Butte Valley

Open space needed more than an HOA

I have spent my entire life in Chico excepting only the four years I spent at UC Santa Cruz. As anyone who’s been here over the past 30 years can attest, we are now seeing Chico grow faster than ever. At first when I saw all the new development, I thought “Great, here is the additional housing we need to make the supply meet the demand so that prices can be affordable again.” Much to my dismay, none of these new places are affordable.

When I was studying Ecology at UC Santa Cruz, my teacher told us that oak grassland is an extinct ecosystem. I remember seeing the pictures of this “extinct ecosystem” and thinking that it looks just like home. Here in Chico we are blessed to be surrounded by this unique and absolutely beautiful open space. Are we going to allow economic interests to take this away from us?

Chico doesn’t need any more expensive HOAs badly enough to sacrifice such a precious ecological marvel. This would be the definition of paving paradise to put up a parking lot. The public will have to pay for access to the parks. Trees should not be a luxury with barriers to access.

I hope my community will stand against the Valley’s Edge Development. If these developers truly care about the “Respect and Conservation of Chico’s natural landscape” then they would not pick the most beautiful oak grassland to bulldoze.

— Pearl DiGenova, Chico

Moving to Chico, and closing the door

I am perplexed at those writing in opposition to Valley’s Edge by the fact many are recent transplants to Chico and found a place to live because some greedy builder/developer designed a project and built a home they could buy. So they arrived and now want to shut the door to others with the same desire.

When a project as well-designed and thought out as Valley’s Edge is proposed it should be supported especially when it conforms to all aspects of the General Plan. Were any of the naysayers involved in formulating it? That was their chance to be a part of how the city and county grow. If you did not, now is not the time to say this is not what we want.

Housing of all types is needed in our area, California and most of our nation. Infill projects are also needed but as seen in several recently proposed projects they face the same “not in my back yard” opposition. Don’t build it here, then where?

The Character and Charm of our town is not determined by number or types of houses, it is a result of the actions of us who occupy those homes.

Having lived in Chico for 35 years and Butte County for 60-plus I am in favor of this project. I am not a recent transplant who wants to close the door.

if you support Valley’s Edge show up Jan. 3 and let your voice be heard, don’t let the vocal minority be louder.

— Carl Henker, Chico

Seeking some better stewards of the land

The City of Chico, planning commission and city council are back at it again. Another building development which would mean a loss of woodlands, loss of wetlands, loss of view and open spaces, creating more urban sprawl, traffic congestion, wildfire risks, destruction of wildlife corridors and threatening water and air quality protection. Why should developers and the city work so closely together to plan sprawling, gated, off limits (HOA) housing and open spaces most Chicoans cannot access and are an eyesore and traffic mess for everyone else? Our community demands better.

The city is currently working on improving treatment of our urban forest and seeking feedback on the first draft of a 40-year urban forest master plan (UFMP). In its first paragraph, the UFMP cites Mechoopda natives as exceptional stewards of our area. Could the city include tribal members or like-minded community members on the UFMP panel? Can the panel recognize the incredible responsibilities private landholders have to insure they are land stewards who show respect for and act responsibly as the keeper of our community heritage? Can there be some representation for the natural resources, especially the trees which offer a treemendous economic boom to Chico.

Who will insure 5 miles of rock walls on this property be protected or will they be destroyed like the ones just north of Valley’s Edge on Bruce Rd?

— Liz Mosher, Chico

Seek insurance info about Valley’s Edge

Insurance has not been an obvious concern in the articles and opinions, pro and con, regarding the proposed Valley’s Edge development. Perhaps it was inferred within “affordability” or “sustainability.” This is short sighted. One question for both sides of the issue is — -can homeowners, renters, parks, or businesses afford to STAY?

Paradise was my home for 46 years. The Camp Fire instantly educated me about the value of homeowners insurance. The purchase of another home in 2019, came with a refresher course in the new realities on the subject.

I now live in the East Oroville foothills, within the WUI (Wildland Urban Interface). Valley’s Edge is proposed within the WUI area of East Chico. Developers, planning commissioners, Chico City Council members, and all concerned should contact local insurance brokers to learn each insurer’s “wildfire risk scores.” Will insurers even insure VE homeowners, or will everyone be held to the costly California FAIR Plan? Who will insure proposed parks and businesses? Which insurance companies want to leave California (they may initially insure, then drop and depart).

Commissioner Lara recently enforced the nation’s first wildfire safety regulation, Safer from Wildfires, to help drive down the cost of insurance. Go to insurance.ca.gov and read the October 17,2022, press release. Click on the embedded regulation. Reads great but has consequences to be considered.

The Valley’s Edge development proposal seems almost too good to be true … you know the rest of the adage.

— LInda Oslin, Oroville

A proposal that fits our General Plan

I have always felt serving our nation and community was both a privilege and an honor. Locally, over the past several decades, as a former County Supervisor, City of Chico Councilmember, and current City Planning Commissioner, I’ve felt the same about my commitment to my hometown of Chico. Throughout my time in public service, I’ve seen and supported good ideas that laid the groundwork for long term enrichment of our town and its residents such as adequate housing, parks, schools, roads, libraries, health care and police and fire stations. If you live in Chico today, it’s because the people who lived here before you made space for you. One home at a time.

As we look forward, Chico’s long-term quality of life hinges on opportunities for future planning and building to add value to our community. In 2011, Chico’s decidedly liberal City Council adopted the 2030 General Plan which describes the public expectation for the Valley’s Edge area. Anyone who has read the Specific Plan knows that it far exceeds every requirement, and every expectation.

It is far and away the most thoughtfully planned, recreationally minded and environmentally friendly plan ever proposed in Chico. But for some, regardless of the immense value Valley’s Edge presents to Chico’s current and future residents, it’s just another chance to organize, mischaracterize, demonize, delay, and discourage those who care greatly about Chico and our future.

It is better to be informed than to be misled. Please support Valley’s Edge.

— Larry Wahl, Chico