Meriam Park draft EIR out

One of the biggest development proposals in Chico’s history took center stage Monday night (Dec. 4), when a public meeting was held to consider the 900-page draft environmental-impact report for Meriam Park.

The mixed-use (residential and commercial) project would locate from 2,300 to a maximum of 3,200 residential units—from townhouses to detached single-family homes—and 250,000 square feet of commercial facilities on 272 acres immediately west of Bruce Road and north of East 20th Street.

This is the third and largest project in Chico from New Urban Builders, creators of the Doe Mill Neighborhood subdivision just east of Bruce Road and the Westside Neighborhood project on Nord Avenue now under construction. The group is noted for its “new urbanism” style of development featuring such neo-traditionalist elements as through streets (no cul-de-sacs), garages on alleyways, colorful designs, village commercial centers and an emphasis on walkability.

Meriam Park is still in the early stages of the lengthy process of moving through the city of Chico’s permitting process. The purpose of Monday’s public meeting was not to generate dialogue or discuss the merits of Meriam Park but rather to present the public with the DEIR and solicit oral comments on it.

Holly Keeler, the city’s engineering administrative manager for the project, said the city is halfway through the process leading to a final EIR.

Tom DiGiovanni, president of New Urban Builders, said the project was designed to reduce the dependency on automobiles in people’s everyday lives. “It’s a basic approach but in a more sustainable manner by creating an area that is compact, complete and connected,” he said.

In addition to its commercial center, Meriam Park will include a creekside greenway along Little Chico Creek, a 20-acre nature preserve on the north end of the property, and a dozen small neighborhood parks and open spaces. A ballpark designed to house the Chico Outlaws is also proposed.

New Urban Builders sent out more than 2,000 notices to neighbors in the areas around the proposed project, but only a small number showed up for the meeting. Although the meeting was not intended to discuss the merits of Meriam Park, some community members chose to do just that.

Some voiced concerns over air pollution, noise and traffic, while others were more concerned with possible amplified music and light emanating from the ballpark. One resident asked the city to consider the quality of life for people who already live in Chico.

The comments came as no surprise to Brendan Vieg, the city’s senior planner for the project. “I imagine we will see more comments along the themes mentioned tonight,” he said.

The full DEIR is on the city’s Web site, www.ci.chico.ca.us. People wishing to comment on it may do so there.