Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
NSPR aims to bring you accurate and comprehensive fire coverage in the North State. Here you will find all of our fire updates and stories.Our staff will not be providing updates on wildfires overnight. You can stay updated on the latest information by tracking and monitoring fires on social media. To ensure you're alerted if there is an emergency in your area, sign up for emergency alerts in your county, and always have an emergency kit ready to go in case of an evacuation.

Butte County Board Of Supervisors Approve Housing Revisions

AP Photo

Post fire housing, revenue and water figured large at Tuesday’s Butte County Board of Supervisors hearing. 

 

 

As expected, the board approved several revisions aimed at easing the housing crunch faced by the displaced. 

 

The modifications won’t create housing units, but will allow small temporary RV parks on agricultural land and in both the rural and foothill residential zones.  Something Supervisor Doug Teeter said already happened.  

 

“There’s plenty of parcels with more than two RVs on it. This allows them to be legitimate.” Teeter  said.

 

Supervisors are reluctant to take similar actions for mobile or manufactured homes which are typically connected to utilities, especially on agricultural land. Supervisor Bill Connelly said the difference is investment.  

 

 

“If you put mobiles in, you’re going to be putting the infrastructure in to support it. You’re going to have to put a septic and a leach line in and it’s not temporary anymore and then, try moving that out.” Connelly said.

 

As part of the package, the board approved a stipulation requiring temporary RV park owners to secure bonds for property restoration. Temporary parks must close before Jan 1 2021. 

 

In other action, Supervisor Tami Ritter said Forest Ranch residents feel the county’s emergency notification system isn’t reliable. She said residents said land contours and spotty cell coverage make service unreliable in normal times.

 

The board also heard a report on the county’s finances. Meegan Jessee, Deputy Chief administrative officer, said the general fund will take a hit, but overall revenue is stable. She noted Sacramento’s vow to make up any property tax shortfalls for three years. With 10 percent of the county’s dwellings obliterated, that hole could prove substantial. 

 

The board also heard that subsurface aquifers---the source of most drinking and irrigation water in the county---continue receding, but not at an alarming rate. Christina Buck, assistant director of the Butte County Water and Resource Conservation Department said officials are recognizing trends. After wet years and once seasonal pumping ends, levels mostly recover.  

 

“As soon as the wells go off, in the groundwater dependent areas, water levels immediately begin to come up, so there’s a recovery that immediately happens.” Buck said.

 

Levels are being monitored more closely due to the 2014 sustainable groundwater management act.