South Colusa project goes to panel: Developers want change in plan to allow community of 27,000 residents.

Byline: Howard Yune

Nov. 1--Plans for a new community south of Arbuckle in Colusa County are finally in the hands of planning officials. But the long-discussed project is inspiring a renewed fight from local residents fearful of losing the area's farmland.

Pacific Cascade Group has applied to the county for a general plan change allowing construction of homes, stores and industrial sites near Interstate 5 on the Yolo County border. The Orange County-based development firm hopes to create housing for 27,000 people over three decades, some 5,000 more than the county's current population.

But foes of the development have formed an opposition group and are preparing a publicity campaign to denounce Pacific Cascade's plan as an example of suburban sprawl that threatens the vitality of nearby farms.

"It takes away from our local efforts to improve our own community," said Elaine Rominger, an Arbuckle almond farmer and former Woodland mayor battling the development. "It takes supervisors' attention away from communities. And it's going to absolutely skew the political and social network that we have."

James L. Resney, Pacific Cascade's vice president, declined immediate comment.

Pacific Cascade, whose local branch, Colusa Heritage Partners, has an Arbuckle office, hopes to rezone 3,512 acres of mostly agricultural land for a mix of homes, stores, industry and open space. The amendment would require approval from the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.