Latest local news briefs include the city announcing a temporary cooling center inside the Citrus Heights Community Center in anticipation of an expected temperature spike in the area, an upcoming blood drive across from Sunrise Mall offering free California State Fair tickets to donors, and a public hearing set for a proposed changes to allow for more affordable housing in Citrus Heights.
Community Center to serve as cooling center during expected temperature spike
With weather expected to reach 108 degrees in the area, the City of Citrus Heights announced that a cooling center will be opened inside the community center on Fountain Square Drive between noon and 7 p.m. this Sunday through Thursday. According to the National Weather Service, which issued an “excessive heat warning” beginning Sunday, the number one cause of weather-related fatalities is heat.
In a news release Friday afternoon, the city said its cooling station will be located in the senior center at the Citrus Heights Community Center, located at 6300 Fountain Square Drive. Water, television, and free internet access will be available to the public. The city said residents are advised to “stay hydrated and to plan outdoor activities early in the day to avoid long-term exposure to temperatures in excess of 100 degrees.”
Blood drive in Citrus Heights to offer free State Fair tickets, car wash coupons to donors
BloodSource “Bloodmobile” buses will be set up in front of the Vitamin Shoppe across from Sunrise Mall from June 23-25, offering donors a free California State Fair Ticket and a coupon for a free car wash at Quick Quack. Donors will also have a choice to receive a limited edition Giants T-shirt instead of a fair ticket. Blood drive dates are listed below:
- Friday, June 23, 12-6 p.m.
- Saturday, June 24, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, June 25, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The address for the blood drive location is 6147 Sunrise Blvd. BloodSource says no appointments are necessary and walk-ins are welcome. (See website)
Public hearing set for proposed affordable housing regulations
The Citrus Heights city council will hold a public hearing this Thursday as new regulations are being considered to increase affordable housing in the city and comply with a new state law. The draft changes were unanimously approved by the planning commission last month and would ease some regulations on garage conversions and secondary dwelling units, among other related changes.
Related: Citrus Heights working to increase affordable housing by easing building regs
Most changes are required by a pair of bills passed into law by the California legislature that went into effect January 1 of this year. The most significant change eases parking requirements for accessory dwelling units and garage conversions, which has been a difficult-to-meet restriction for homeowners. The public hearing will be held during the city council’s regular meeting at city hall on June 22 at 7 p.m. (See agenda)
