HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.19 Chris Rauen 6.23.25 Public Comment for item 4.19 - Consideration for Additional Projects for CDBG funding - June 24, 2025.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening
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From:Clerk of the Board
To:BOS
Cc:Simmons, Katie; Pack, Joshua
Subject:Public Comment - FW: Public Comment for item 4.19 - Consideration for Additional Projects for CDBG funding -
June 24, 2025
Date:Tuesday, June 24, 2025 7:43:34 AM
Please see Public Comment received below regarding Item 4.19.
From: Chris Rauen <chris@magaliacommunitypark.org>
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2025 7:48 PM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net>
Subject: Public Comment for item 4.19 - Consideration for Additional Projects for CDBG funding -
June 24, 2025
To the Butte County Board of Supervisors
From: Chris Rauen, Magalia Resident
I wanted to thank County staff for including this item on today's agenda, and for the
County's ongoing efforts to utilize CDBG-DR funding for projects on the Upper Ridge. The
widening of the roadway across Magalia Dam, which is cited here as an example of
where such funds can be allocated, is greatly appreciated by myself and the community,
and a project we've been looking forward to for a long time.
Since this funding is related to those directly affected by the Camp Fire, I would like to
ask the Board of Supervisors that as additional projects are considered, if priority can
continue to be given to the areas that were directly impacted, such as Magalia. We still
have hundreds of vacant lots on the Upper Ridge where homes once stood, and
construction of new homes has been very slow. I don't know the parameters of the
CDBG funding but if it could be used towards some kind of a project that would
incentivize the construction of new homes on existing residential lots, we could see
residential recovery pick up at a quicker pace in the burn scar.
Our business district also took a hit from the fire...and the aftermath from it, as Magalia
lost its hardware store, a bank, and a pharmacy, among others. For the thousands of us
who have chosen to reside a little further up the hill from Paradise, this makes it more of
an effort to get down to Paradise & Chico for some basic services that we previously
were able to obtain here. Several vacant commercial properties stand ready for
construction. The Upper Ridge Community Plan supports a thriving downtown district on
Lakeridge Circle, just off the Skyway, and if a project could be put together that may be a
close match to what had been envisioned by the participants in this plan, as well as
meeting the needs of the community today, it may encourage new business owners &
entrepreneurs to consider investing on the Upper Ridge.
I'm aware and appreciate that CDBG-DR funding will be going towards some of the road
improvements planned for next year, eventually extending toward the Lakeridge Circle
area, so for future potential business development this is certainly a plus.
Glad to have a conversation with any County staff on ideas or plans for future projects
that may be considered for the betterment of the lives of those of us on the Upper Ridge.
I hope that additional projects from the URCP can be identified for funding as well.
Regards,
Chris Rauen