Council approves new ordinance that it says will improve public safety
by Yucheng Tang | Posted November 19, 2025
Money spent on the new ordinance could be better used to protect pedestrians, said Freddie Wright. Photo by Yucheng Tang.
The Chico City Council, on a split 4–3 vote, on Nov. 18 approved an ordinance that prohibits people from lingering on medians, roundabouts and in areas near retail-use driveways.
Under the new ordinance, people would be prohibited from lingering on any portion of a median or roundabout adjoining a public roadway, as well as “right‑of‑way zones serving access points of public shopping centers that connect directly to a public roadway.”
Exceptions include crossing, lawful walking, permitted work and emergencies.read more
Mason speaks at the City Council meeting. Screenshot photo by Yucheng Tang.
The disagreement around tiny homes for the unhoused, at the end of the Oct. 7 City Council meeting, centered on whether to limit the number that will be allowed on a church parking lot.
There were two motions on the table when one of the two passed 4-3 — supporting a pilot program for tiny homes on a church parking lot that can house women. The motion directs City staff to move forward with the plan that was presented earlier by the North State Shelter Team (NSST). Most importantly, compared to the other motion, this motion doesn’t limit the number of houses that will be provided. read more
After a lengthy public hearing Oct. 7 over the City’s Alternative Camping Site, a resident, Michael Morgan, speaks with ChicoSol about the unfair assumptions people make about the encampment and who lives there.
Brenda Sallee speaks at the Council meeting earlier this week. Photo by Yucheng Tang.
The City Council voted unanimously Sept. 17 to identify location and service options for the Cohasset and Eaton Roads camping site where unhoused people have lived for several years, sheltered only by tents. The Council’s motion directs staff to look at alternative locations, whether the camp could be split among smaller sites and possible collaboration with service providers.
The discussion was initiated by Councilmember Mike O’Brien after a resident living in the neighborhood brought up safety concerns at a recent meeting. read more
by Ann Bykerk-Kauffman, guest writer | Posted July 24, 2025
A driver on South Park Drive where cars would not be allowed. Photo by Yucheng Tang.
Opposition to the recent Chico City Council decision for South Park Drive near One Mile Recreation Area has been immediate and fierce, mostly focused on the plan to extend the car-free portion to the entrance gate.
On June 17 the Council approved the following proposal for that portion of South Park Drive:
Repave it, maintaining its current width
Extend the motor vehicle-free portion westward to the Bidwell Park entrance gate at Cypress Street
Repave the driveway to the Sycamore Pool parking lot and build two new driveways to the Sycamore Field and Caper Acres parking lots
Pave the parking lots with permeable pavement
Abandon and re-vegetate the parking areas along the north side of South Park Drive and the egress driveway located just east of Caper Acres.
But the Chico Safe Streets Coalition, an active transportation advocacy group, opposes the plan, too. Why? Although, on the face of it, the closure of South Park Drive seems to facilitate bicycle and pedestrian transportation, the current implementation plan does the opposite – the devil is in the details. read more
Vehicles still to be allowed in some parts of Lower Park on weekdays
by Yucheng Tang | Posted June 19, 2025
A man runs today on South Park Drive in Lower Bidwell Park. Photo by Yucheng Tang.
The City Council voted 4-3 to approve closure of parts of Lower Bidwell Park to vehicles at the June 17 meeting. Mayor Kasey Reynolds, Vice Mayor Dale Bennett and Councilmember Michael O’Brien voted in opposition.
Many of the 17 speakers during the public comment session opposed the plan to close the entire stretch of South Park Drive—running parallel to Woodland Avenue—to vehicular traffic. Under the plan, the parking lot at the One Mile Recreation Area will only be accessed via Woodland Avenue, and the plan will be implemented in the summer of 2026.read more
