The footprints of growth in Shasta County have been as obvious as a square dance in fresh concrete. Redding and Anderson are both experiencing population booms. To a lesser extent, but no less significant, Cottonwood has also experienced such growth. As the communities have grown closer together geographically, Cottonwood residents have looked for ways to hold onto their community’s individuality.

According to Cottonwood chamber of commerce member John Helfrich, some Cottonwood residents want building codes that allow no more than one house per acre to maintain Cottonwood’s rural character. To do that, Cottonwood would have to incorporate into a city.

“People have discussed the possibility of incorporating the Cottonwood community into a city since the 1980s,” Helfrich said.

What attracts other Cottonwood residents towards incorporation includes stopping Anderson from further annexation of surrounding areas.

“I know people of Cottonwood want to keep their solidarity and not become a part of Anderson,“ said Art Parham, chairman of the board of the Cottonwood Fire Protection District.

“The most common concern that I hear from both Cottonwood and Shingletown is the inability to make their own land-use decisions,“ said Executive Officer of Local Area Formation Commission Amy Mickelson. “Both areas are experiencing growth pressure, but since the areas are unincorporated, the decisions are made by the County. Both communities desire to have control over how and where they grow and that is difficult — if not impossible — to achieve as unincorporated communities.“

As a city, Cottonwood could establish its own rules, rather than follow county ordinances. However, that power comes at a price that Cottonwood cannot afford.

“Without a strong industry in place, it is almost impossible to achieve fiscal viability as a provider of municipal services,“ Mickelson said. “It is difficult to replicate all required services such as police protection, parks and recreation, lighting, streets, etc. on such a small scale.”

Mickelson said that in rural areas a strong industry is usually some type of power generator or successful industrial model.“There’s no industry here anymore, since the mills closed. Maybe if someone brought an industry in or a huge employer...” said former Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce president Mary O’Keeffe. “Our main employer is the school district. They don’t pay taxes like a big corporation.“

Helfrich pointed out the costs incurred by City of Shasta Lake for law enforcement alone. The city spent $2.2 million this year to contract with the county for public safety. The city’s population is over 9,000.

“Say Cottonwood did incorporate,“ Helfrich said. “Homeowners would have to pay for it. Property tax would increase drastically.”

Although Parham recognizes the near impossibility of Cottonwood’s incorporation, he wants residents to be aware of their options. Parham will present information about incorporation at the Cottonwood Community Betterment Council meeting in August.

“Incorporation is a much bigger agenda than just a way to maintain local control. It is the creation of new government — a form of government that doesn’t come cheaply or easily,” Mickelson said. “I cannot recall a successful incorporation of a similar area since I’ve been doing LAFCO work (9 years).”

Since incorporation is not viable in the near future, Cottonwood residents could become active in government proceedings as an alternative.

“I have encouraged individuals from both areas to work closely with the County planning process and to be as active in that arena as possible,” Mickelson said. “Participation at the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor hearings is imperative. Discussions with project proponents, staff, Commissioners and Supervisors are an important tool to educate (the county government) about the impact of some of the growth and development in rural areas.”

“When they come over Cottonwood Hill, people want to be able to relax. They don’t want to get involved with that,” Parham said.