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Cal Fire Coming to Rio Dell

The Issue

On March 20, 2023 the State of California signed the certificate of acceptance of an 18 acre property in the center of Rio Dell. The State began this closing process in December of 2022, shortly before the series of earthquakes in the community.  As far as the City knows, this property is for the exclusive use of CalFire for the regional headquarters of the Humboldt-Del-Norte Unit. The community welcomes CalFire to Rio Dell, however there are some potential missed opportunities associated with the project. This acquisition reduces available commercially zoned available property in the community by 75% placing it into government hands. This alone is significantly problematic for future diverse economic development in this small community. The acquisition also renders the housing element non-compliant with state law, forcing potential changes by the City to increase housing density in other areas of the community. It doesn't have to be this way. There's plenty of space for everyone.

Senator McGuire has been a strong advocate for the City in working with Cal Fire and DGS to find a solution that would facilitate Cal Fire’s needs, but also preserve some land for some much-needed mixed-use development.  The City is very appreciative of Senator McGuire’s efforts.   Ultimately, this could be a win-win situation for both Cal Fire and the residents of Rio Dell.

The Location:

 Map of State Land in Rio Dell, on the corner of US 101 and Davis Street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Site Concepts

Prior Site Concepts: (1) Planwest Concept for more traditional anchor-type development. (2) City 2021 Concept that includes mixed use commercial/housing development, was endorsed by the State Department of Housing and Community Development and received $225,000 of Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) funding for design and pre-permitting. 

Current State Concept 6/4/2024: Concepts A-C - these concepts utilize all 18 acres of the site, using extensive asphalt concrete surfaces, single level buildings, unnecessary drainage swales and instead of rooftop solar or co-location with a drainage swale, a field is designated for energy production.

Concepts in Response to State Aquisition: (1) City developed site plan for CalFire that sits on 6 acres, matching the size of the new Butte Unit Headquarters and demonstrating the size mismatch between the two sites. (2) City alternative concept that prioritizes 15 acres for State development but that allows 3+/- acres of private development and space for a motel, restaurant and gas station. This concept co-locates drainage and solar facilities and does not include space for housing. 

Additional Concerns

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

  • Potential Cultural Resource Impacts
  • Noise – Construction noise, generators, PA system, radios, etc.
  • Traffic
  • Drainage
  • Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Analysis – New location will likely result in more vehicle miles traveled.
  • Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Analysis – Project references burning simulation
  • Lighting impacts to neighbors
  • Conversion of Farmland

 

Land Use and Planning

  • The State is not subject to the City’s Zoning and General Plan regulations, goals and policies.
  • Jeopardizes the City’s Housing Element compliance by removing potentially almost 100 housing units from the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation numbers.
  • Removes over 75% of the available commercial property in the City.  For decades the Todd property was seen as the premier commercial property in the City.
  • Section 65041 of the California Government Code calls for the efficient use of land.  We believe utilizing the entire 18 acres for the proposed facility is not an efficient use of the land. 

 

Economic Impact

  • State agencies do not pay any taxes.  The State estimated the total project cost at $57,426,000. 
  • Property and improvements are taxed at a rate of 1% of its assessed value and increases 2% annually.
  • 1% of $57,426,000.00 is $574,260.00
  • Schools receive 62.2% of property taxes.  In this case that would be $357,189.72
  • The community was expecting sales tax revenue and transient occupancy tax revenue which could easily be more than $100,000 a year
  • If the Cal Fire facility were subject to property taxes, the community (City) would receive approximately $32,000 annually. 

 

Additional Information

Helpful Links

Below is a list of important links regarding the project.  Please take the time to review the information.