HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.TPM25-0002 Project DescriptionMay 22, 2025
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Bechtel Ranches Subdivision
County of BuƩe, CA
APN 047-600-002
4055 Keefer Road, Chico, CA 95973
Proposal:
To subdivide an exisƟng 13.13-acre parcel with an exisƟng single-family home and outbuilding into four
individual lots. The site is designed Very Low Density on the County’s General Plan Diagram and is in the
VLDR - Very Low-Density ResidenƟal zoning district, which permits lots up to 1 acre in size.
The proposal involves retaining the exisƟng single-family home and associated improvements (barns and
pool) on a 10.13-acre parcel and creaƟng three addiƟonal parcels, each being 1 acre in size. Newly created
Lot 1, 2 and 3 will take access via a new shared 50-foot driveway off Keefer Road, while Lot 4 will conƟnue
uƟlizing the exisƟng driveway that currently serves the exisƟng single-family home. A maintenance
agreement will be created and the new driveway recorded to ensure future private improvements are
adequately addressed and noted prior to the sale of each individual lot.
Project LocaƟon and Seƫng:
Bechtel Ranches parcel is located on the southside of Keefer Road, at 4055 Keefer Road. Pursuant to the
Department of Forestry and Fire ProtecƟon (CalFire), the subject site is in the Local Responsible Area (LRA).
The site is not located in a FEMA Flood zone (Panel 06007C03105, EffecƟve 1/6/2011).
The surrounding area consists of large lots, ranging in size from 8.19 acres down to 1 acre as the enƟre
area is located in the VLDR – Very Low-Density ResidenƟal zoning district.
The project site itself consists of an exisƟng single-family home, garage, pump house and pool. There are
three separate barn structures, one of which is constructed as a stable, while the other two are open
carport type structures. The property is surrounded by chain-link fencing and internally divided into
different pasture areas. The site has two wells: one being uƟlized for domesƟc services. Overhead
powerlines are present along the northern side of Keefer Road. Trees are present onsite, predominantly
located around the exisƟng improvements, including Valley Oaks and Yellow Poplars. An addiƟonal row of
Oak trees run along the northern property line, just outside the paved porƟon of Keefer Road.
Zoning and General Plan Consistency
BuƩe County’s General Plan provides the framework for development proposals within its jurisdicƟon.
This long-range document is comprehensive and provides direcƟon for the County’s physical development.
The document contains a list of Goals, ObjecƟves, Policies and ImplementaƟon Measures which express
commonly held community value, provide expression on community intent and precises statements for
public regulatory powers to exercise to achieve a specific objecƟve or outcome.
BuƩe County Code secƟon 24-18(E). Very Low-Density ResidenƟal (VLDR).
The purpose of the VLDR zone is to allow for single-family homes and related uses in residenƟal
neighborhoods within the county. Standards for the VLDR zone are intended to preserve and protect the
character of exisƟng neighborhoods and to ensure that new residenƟal neighborhoods provide an
appropriate transiƟon from rural to more developed areas. PermiƩed residenƟal uses in the VLDR zones
include single-family homes, small residenƟal care homes, accessory dwelling units, animal grazing, on-
site agricultural product sales, and private stables. The VLDR zone also condiƟonally permits non-
residenƟal uses compaƟble with a residenƟal seƫng, including public and quasi-public uses, golf courses,
May 22, 2025
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park and recreaƟonal faciliƟes, personal services, animal-keeping, large residenƟal care homes, and
medical offices and clinics. The minimum permiƩed parcel size in the VLDR zone is one (1) acre. The VLDR
zone implements the Very Low-Density ResidenƟal land use designaƟon in the General Plan.
As designed, the proposal conforms to the standards described by the VLDR, which permit lots that are 1
acre in size. The project also confirms the residenƟal uses allowed by the BuƩe County Chapter 24, Zoning
Ordinance.
SupporƟng General Plan Policies:
Goal LU-1 ConƟnue to uphold and respect the planning principles on which the County’s land use
map is based.
Goal LU-2 Provide for orderly, well-planned, and balanced growth that maintains private property
rights.
LU-P2.1 The County shall allow reasonable “freedom of choice” of sites and faciliƟes for the
populaƟon growth of the county, both in the county as a whole and targeted to specific
areas.
LU-P2.2 Economic use and value of private property shall be maintained.
Goal LU-4 Provide high-quality housing in a range of residenƟal densiƟes and types.
Goal LU-8 Promote development near exisƟng infrastructure and services, and within already-
developed areas.
Goal H-1 Provide for the County’s regional share of new housing for all income groups and future
residents as idenƟfied in the Housing Needs Assessment