*Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information from Tuesday’s (Sept. 26) Butte County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Read the transcript
KEN DEVOL, ANCHOR:
Dozens affected by the Bear Fire or North Complex gathered Friday evening (Sept. 22) to address the looming expiration of permits that allow them to live in RVs and trailers on their properties. NSPR’s Erik Adams reports.
ERIK ADAMS, REPORTER:
Residents filled Berry Creek Community Church to ask questions and communicate their concerns surrounding the county ordinance that allows the permits.
The ordinance expires on Dec. 31 and wasn’t on today’s Butte County Board of Supervisors meeting agenda. But Tara Pash, one of the people leading Friday’s discussion, suggested bringing up the issue to the board through public comment.
PASH: "The only way we’re going to get on the agenda is by showing up and speaking during public participation."
After the ordinance expires, residents can keep living on their property if they purchase a building permit, but many at the meeting expressed that they were struggling financially. Residents like Jennifer Phillips said she can't afford the cost of the permits but proposed ways to compromise with the board.
PHILLIPS: "Like if they give us a credit we can pay towards it, and over time obtain our permits. And a lot of us, that’s something that we can do, is start making small payments over time and show them that we are working towards this but we can’t do this overnight."
The ordinance expires in a little over three months.
At today’s meeting, as several Berry Creek residents made public comments to the board, Supervisor Doug Teeter assured the topic would be on the next meeting’s agenda.
