Latest local news briefs include a neighborhood association filing an appeal against the recently approved townhouse project near Sylvan Corners, SacRT’s new on-demand transit service going live in Citrus Heights, a weapons seizure near Auburn Boulevard and Kanai Avenue, and a report on Metro Fire’s recent boot drive fundraiser.
Sac RT’s new on-demand microtransit goes live in Citrus Heights
Regional and local leaders gathered along with city staff and community members outside city hall to celebrate the launch of a new pilot-program offering Uber-style on-demand public transit in Citrus Heights. Using a new “Microtransit” app on smartphones, transit riders can now be picked up from anywhere in Citrus Heights and be taken wherever they want to go in the city, during weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The new “SmaRT Ride” fares will cost the same as SacRT’s current fixed-route price of $2.75 per trip, and those eligible can qualify for a discounted fare will only pay $1.35. According to a Feb. 12 story on Capitol Public Radio, SacRT did not have a cost estimate for the program, but the service is expected to be used up to 500,000 times in the next year and the use of smaller buses are expected to make the service more cost-effective. (See Capitol Public Radio story)
SacRT will be giving a 15-minute presentation about the new SmaRT Ride program on Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sylvan Community Clubhouse, prior to the Sunrise Old Auburn Road neighborhood association’s regular monthly meeting. The presentation is slated to be followed by a time for question-and-answer. All community members are invited to attend.
Neighborhood group files appeal against townhouse project near Sylvan Corners
A neighborhood association has filed an appeal after Citrus Heights planning commissioners voted 5-1 last month to approve a 42-unit townhouse project near Sylvan Corners. The appeal was filed by the Sunrise Old Auburn Road neighborhood association, which covers the area where the proposed townhouses were approved to be constructed. Association President Jayna Karpinski-Costa told The Sentinel her neighborhood group thinks the development is “a terrible project in what could be a great spot.” She also cited concerns about “issues of traffic and vehicular and pedestrian safety,” as well as concerns about parking, landscaping and access.
For a cost of $250, appeals can be filed within 10 days on any decision made by the city’s planning commission. The appeal is then heard by the full city council at a future date. (See prior story for context)
Citrus Heights PD report seizure of 16 firearms, drug paraphernalia
Citrus Heights police announced on Tuesday that a 56-year-old man had been arrested after a Feb. 9 probation search of his residence on the 7400 block of Kanai Avenue, near Auburn Boulevard. The department said in a post on Facebook that suspect Jody Timmons, of Citrus Heights, was arrested for violation of probation and resisting or obstructing officers. Police also said 14 rifles, drug paraphernalia, and a pair of handguns were located and seized during the search.
More briefly:
- Burn Fundraiser. Metro Fire reported $166,000 raised in four-day boot drive. (See more)
- Year in Review. Metro Fire unveiled its 2017 year in review on Feb. 8 in a four-minute video published on Facebook. (Watch the video)
