Redding Advances The Peaks Subdivision Despite Fire Evacuation Concerns
After a lengthy three-hour meeting on Tuesday night, Redding’s Planning Commission unanimously approved the project map for The Peaks Subdivision, a development planned to include 120 homes on 114 acres off Quartz Hill Road in West Redding. The area was notably impacted by the Carr Fire in 2018, during which residents experienced significant evacuation delays.
Concerns about fire evacuation routes were a central topic of discussion. Several residents and planning commissioners expressed doubts about the safety and adequacy of the proposed evacuation plans. Resident Sheryl Bullock shared her firsthand experience, emphasizing that the evacuation scenarios presented were overly optimistic.
Planning Commissioner Greg Balkovek advocated for the inclusion of an additional evacuation route, stating it was necessary for safety. While the fire department has reviewed and approved evacuation models—including simultaneous evacuation and peak load scenarios—some commissioners remained unconvinced.
City planners noted that making changes to the evacuation routes at this stage would require denying the entire subdivision project. Opponents of The Peaks Subdivision now have the option to appeal the Planning Commission’s decision to the Redding City Council before the project receives final approval.
