Rancho Colus Housing Community
Colusa, California
NorthStar brought critical engineering expertise to the development of Rancho Colus, a 49-unit affordable housing community in Colusa County. Located at 1717 Highway 20 in the City of Colusa, this thoughtfully planned project transforms 2.6 acres into a safe and stable living environment for working individuals and families, with a particular focus on those experiencing housing insecurity or in need of supportive care.
The Rancho Colus development goes beyond housing. Designed for long-term residency, it includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, as well as a 3,000-square-foot community center. This shared space will serve as a hub for essential services provided through Colusa County Behavioral Health and Social Services. Additional amenities such as a children’s playground, a community garden with seating, and ADA-compliant units with accessible features reflect a commitment to inclusion and quality of life.
NorthStar played an integral role in transforming the site plan concept into a fully realized community. This included comprehensive site evaluation and engineering for grading, roadway layout, drainage, and utility systems. Coordination with Caltrans was required for sidewalk and driveway construction within the agency's right-of-way, and NorthStar also prepared and managed a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to mitigate runoff during construction. Regular SWPPP inspections and real-time recommendations ensured environmental compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
Despite minor challenges, such as the need to install a water pressure-boosting pump after the plans had been finalized, the project progressed smoothly thanks to strong collaboration among all partners. NorthStar worked closely with general contractor Sunseri and Kuchman Architects, fostering an environment of teamwork and shared problem-solving that contributed to the project’s success.
Construction began in August 2023 and concluded in February 2025 with the completion of the SWPPP. Rancho Colus now stands as a testament to NorthStar’s mission to enhance communities—offering much-needed affordable housing in Colusa and delivering a space where people of all ages and abilities can thrive.