Listening Meeting #3 (March 21, 2019, 7:00 PM) Summary

COMMUNITY LISTENING MEETING #3 MARCH 21, 7:00 – 9:00 PM STRENGTHS 20 Trees, nature, and wildlife 17 Small town feeling and culture 16 The People 11 Affordability and affordable housing 10 Rural character, with larger lots 9 Parks and recreation 8 Local, small, community businesses 8 Good schools, teachers, and counselors 7 Visual and performing arts, museums, and music 6 Community spirit and willingness to help 6 Public Parks 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Access to healthcare, medical services, and the hospital Location, both in proximity to nature and neighboring communities Beauty Community events and festivals Senior services and senior centers Cool weather and climate Diversity of age groups History of Paradise First responders, fire department, and police department Churches Resilience and self-sustaining abilities Safety Good place to raise kids, with a family-oriented environment Clubs and organizations

WEAKNESSES 19 Lack of fire breaks, redundant notification system, feeling of safety, and adequate evacuation routes 13 Inadequate road network (disconnected, narrow, sub-standard, ill-maintained) 11 Lack of sewer; septic issues 9 Limited number and quality of stores, businesses, restaurants, and product suppliers 8 Lack of walkability (no sidewalks, no pedestrian lighting, no community signage, etc) 8 Town Council’s lack of communication, staffing, and integrity; difficult to contact, political bureaucracy 7 Lack of planning and vision – the Town developed haphazardly, leaving a pattern of lots, streets, and uses that wasn’t planned out 7 Contaminated/limited water supply as a result of the fire 7 Job market – limited opportunities for employment, lack of industrial jobs 7 Lack of tree and brush maintenance, on public and private lands; lack of code enforcement for defensible space around buildings 5 Lack of walkable downtown 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Red tape to rebuilding – insurance, building costs, permitting fees, funding Above ground utilities (rather than underground) Lack of recreation and activities, especially for youth and teenagers Traffic Quality of structures (blight, empty buildings, etc.)

Lack of healthcare services after the fire Need more input from the community Reliance on outside contractors Education system – lack of curriculum, especially at the high school; outdated facilities Lack of a feeling of security—drugs homelessness, and poverty Lack of good internet and cell service Post-fire tree removal and debris/soil toxin clean-up Weak tax base and limited customer tax base Inadequate and substandard housing Parking and parking lots Lack of diversity Codes and restrictions associated with tree removal Insurance instability People not able to stay at home sites Low pride of ownership People may not want to come back Inadequate services and access for seniors/those with ADA needs Eminent domain will impact citizens

VISIONS 15 15 11 11 10 8 6 6 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Promote more businesses, amenities, events, and entertainment Create a walkable downtown; a central business district with a mix of uses Create a safer street network – sidewalks, wider roads, street lights, and better connectivity Improve utilities – underground gas and electric lines and improve fiber optic internet, cell service, etc.

Focus on education, improve schools, and provide higher education options Adopt a thoughtful approach to town planning and zoning Install a sewer system Promote more art, murals, museums, and historic preservation Create more parks, green spaces, and outdoor event spaces Make Paradise a brand new, destination community Expand the bike path system Improve evacuation routes, warning systems, evacuation planning, and safety Provide more diverse, more affordable, and safer housing typologies Invest in sustainable design and infrastructure strategies, such as solar and innovative buildings Improve fire prevention measures, through defensible space and fire-safe landscaping Create a Camp Fire Memorial Partner with surrounding communities Improve water system and increase the water to Paradise Lake Find what will motivate people to stay in or come to Paradise Improve the building permitting process, department, codes, and enforcement Define a style or character that expresses Paradise’s uniqueness and creates a sense of place Increase job availability and employment Provide public transportation options Increase recreation opportunities Provide more youth activities Develop more hotels Rebuild in a more resilient way – become an example to the world and other rural communities Modernize and rebrand to attract new, younger residents and families Improve community relations, attitude, communication, and citizen participation Improve access to medical services and facilities; rebuild Feather River Hospital Create a civic center with a police department, fire department, Town Hall, and others centrally located Stay small and self-sustaining Keep services and jobs local Diversify economy

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Incorporate the Blue Zone concept Focus on forest management Rebuild Golden Nugget Museum Improve law enforcement Improve affordability Provide more dog parks Attract retiree communities