Scotia Subdivision News
County Review Process Now Complete.
- Final Program Environmental Impact Report Certified
- General Plan Amendment and Rezone Approved
The Scotia Subdivision project has now advanced to LAFCO.
To keep residents, employees, friends and neighbors in and around Scotia informed and aware of the progress on this important project, we have committed to post the important review documents here, on the Town of Scotia Web Page, in their entirety. Please see the links at left and below to review the project descriptions, alternatives analyses and mitigation discussions, as well as the several dedicated studies prepare for LAFCO review.
A brief review Chronology follows:
- This project was commenced long ago, in summer of 2007, by the Pacific Lumber Company (PALCO) – then the owner of the Town of Scotia and the surrounding timberlands.
- A Draft PEIR was issued late that year, and circulated for public review and comment for the required 45 day public comment period, ending about a year ago, in January of 2008.
- Between Draft EIR and Final EIR, Palco underwent Reorganization. Town of Scotia Company, LLC (TOS) has succeeded to all Palco’s Scotia assets, rights and responsibilities. TOS is now the applicant.
The specific Land Use application detailed in the environmental documents is for a General Plan Amendment, Zone Reclassification, Final Map Subdivision, Planned Development Permit, Designation of the Urban Limit Line, and Establishment of a Community Services District (CSD) for the Town of Scotia (collectively “the Scotia Project”).
- The purpose of the subdivision is to create individual parcels for existing residential and commercial properties and public facilities. The subdivision and Final EIR were approved by the Humboldt Board of Supervisors on November 10, 2009.
- The purpose of the CSD is to transfer some portion, or all, of the infrastructure and public utility services currently managed by the landowner to a Community Services District in support of a subdivision. The CSD application now goes before the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO).
NEXT STEPS IN THE PROJECT PROCESS:
With these critical approvals from the County, what remains is to complete the BOS' 'conditions of approval.' There are basically two categories of 'conditions.'
- The first is the establishment of an agency to maintain and deliver the same utility services now provided by TOS - the Scotia Community Services District or 'CSD.'
- The second form of condition involves the implementation of specifically engineered improvements or 'upgrades' to the utility infrastructure. Examples include the following:
a. re routing/replacing old water and sewer lines so that they are brand new, centrally located and logically arranged in the public
streets and rights-of-way for long life and ease of maintenance;
b. repaving streets and improving sidewalks and intersections throughout town so that they are compliant with the Americans With
Disabilities Act (ADA);
c. modernizing, resizing and reconfiguring certain fire suppression equipment, booster pumps, water supply tanks.
CSD FORMATION:
Both the formation of the CSD and the planning and implementation of the improvements must be undertaken before subdivided properties can be sold. The formation of any new service district must be reviewed and approved by a special regulatory body: the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO).
TOS' CSD application is now complete and ready for hearing before LAFCO. That application includes a Municipal Services Review (MSR) and a Detailed Engineering Analysis (DEA) of both the current utilities in Scotia and the proposed upgrades to the infrastructure, described above. Both of these public record materials can be reviewed on TOS' webpage. We hope and expect that the CSD process may be concluded in approximately 6 months.
Scotia residents are always welcome to stop by, call or email Frank Bacik at the Town of Scotia Legal Affairs offices (on Main Street between Hoby's Market / US Bank) for more information. fbacik@townofscotia.com or call 707-764-4131.
SCOTIA RESIDENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Looking forward, with implementation of the subdivision, the Town infrastructure will be maintained, and most utilities delivered, by a Community Services District which will be governed by a Board of Directors elected from citizens in the community. Similarly, as currently conceived in the EIR, any significant new building or development, major remodeling or demolition in Scotia will likely be subject to review, input and approval by a Design Review Committee.
In the interim, before these boards and committees are in place, we are creating the Scotia Residents Advisory Board in hopes that such a group might "bridge the gap" in working with management to help best anticipate and guide Scotia's future.
If you have an interest in serving on this board, please complete an application and submit it to the Town of Scotia Office. Applications can be obtained at the Town of Scotia Offices.
Once we have received applications we will select the initial five Advisory Board Members and communicate to everyone who the selected representatives are. The Advisory Board may set its own schedule and agenda. We will help facilitate by providing any necessary services such as meeting space, photocopy assistance, supplies and access to the Scotia webpage for announcements. All residents are welcome to participate. We want your input! Help us build a stronger, safer community.
Appendix A
Combine Zone Designations
(36 KB)
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Appendix B
Development
Plan
(5.1 MB)
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Appendix C
Scotia History Assessment
(6 MB)
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Appendix D
Design
Guidelines
(708 KB)
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Appendix E
Traffic
Analysis
(3.8 MB)
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Appendix F
Geo
Hazard
(560 KB)
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Appendix G
Noise
(6 MB)
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Appendix H
Sensitive Species
Present
(32 KB)
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