Barber Yard Specific Plan EIR

FCS prepared the environmental analysis for the 133-acre Barber Yard Specific Plan located in the southwest corner of the City of Chico. The site, formerly used as a match factory and later for wood-finishing products, contains historic industrial buildings, capped contaminated soils with a related land-use covenant, and a contaminated groundwater plume migrating from an off-site source. The Specific Plan proposes up to 1,250 homes, commercial space, parks, a new street network, and off-site stormwater improvements. FCS supported the City by evaluating the project under CEQA via the EIR process and providing the technical studies needed to assess environmental impacts and guide redevelopment.

Redevelopment of Barber Yard required a clear understanding of environmental constraints, including contaminated soils, historic structures, remnants of past industrial activity, and groundwater contamination. The site is also adjacent to an active rail line, raising potential noise and vibration concerns for future residents. The City needed a comprehensive CEQA analysis addressing air quality, greenhouse gases, noise, biological resources, cultural resources, and hazards.

FCS prepared the CEQA documentation and technical studies needed to evaluate the Barber Yard Specific Plan. The air quality and noise team analyzed construction and operational emissions, health risk, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise and vibration from the adjacent rail line, identifying mitigation measures to reduce impacts. Cameron-Cole supported the hazards analysis by conducting soil testing and ground-penetrating radar surveys, confirming the extent of contaminated soils, evaluating the land-use covenant protecting the asphalt cap, and assessing groundwater conditions associated with the off-site plume.

FCS biologists and arborists used GIS-based field tools to map on-site habitat, trees, and sensitive biological resources. The team evaluated potential impacts to special-status species such as the valley elderberry longhorn beetle, as well as jurisdictional features including Comanche Creek and its riparian woodland. Wildlife movement, nesting birds, roosting bats, and compliance with the City's tree regulations were also addressed.

The cultural resources team completed a Phase I cultural resource assessment and a historic built-environment evaluation of the former match-factory buildings. FCS worked with the City and applicant to support preservation and adaptive reuse, recommending cultural sensitivity training and archaeological monitoring. FCS also coordinated tribal consultation under AB 52 and SB 18 to ensure culturally sensitive resources were appropriately considered.

FCS delivered a complete, defensible CEQA analysis supported by technical studies in air quality, greenhouse gases, noise, biological resources, cultural resources, and hazards. The work provided the City with a clear understanding of site conditions, potential impacts of the Specific Plan, and the mitigation measures required to reduce those impacts. Through coordinated interdisciplinary work, FCS helped the City evaluate a major redevelopment opportunity while ensuring that sensitive environmental and cultural resources were appropriately identified and protected.