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Tag: Luke Otterstad

  • Citrus Heights to gain 200 jobs with proposed shopping center

    The Citrus Heights Planning Commission gave unanimous approval Wednesday for a developer’s 5.7-acre proposal to bring several new restaurants, retail stores and a Smart & Final to the old Capital Nursery lot at Sunrise Boulevard and Madison Avenue.

    Smart and Final, Citrus Heights
    An artistic rendering from Planning Commission documents, showing the proposed new Smart & Final Extra! store at the old Capital Nursery site.

    According to the Commission’s agenda packet, the proposal would demolish about 18,000 square feet of existing improvements, and construct nearly 50,000 square feet of commercial buildings in their place — along with adding an equal amount of landscaping, and 276 parking spots.

    In addition to the Smart & Final Extra! store, a project description for “Capital Nursery Plaza” lists proposed tenants to be Moe’s Southwest Grill, Black Bear Diner, and potentially a financial institution as well as a “gelato/ice cream/frozen yogurt concept.” The drive-thru restaurant was not identified in the documents, but a use permit was requested to allow it to be in operation 24-hours-a-day.

    The six new buildings are designed to have “complementary architectural features,” and range in size between 2,600 and 27,000 square feet, with heights between 21 and 41 feet, according to the proposal.

    <<Related: “Chance to vote online for best Citrus Heights business ends Jan. 30″>>

    Although passing a major hurdle this week, a City planner said the project proposal still has permits, paperwork and approvals to get through before work could start.

    “It’s possible construction could begin as early as summertime,” said Citrus Heights Associate Planner Nick Lagura, mentioning construction documents and application for a building permit are yet to be submitted for approval. “As soon as our building official is able to approve the permit, the developer can begin construction.”

    According to the project description submitted to the Commission, the proposal would bring over 200 permanent new jobs in Citrus Heights, with positions ranging from entry-level to franchise ownership.

    <<Keep track of local news: like us on Facebook, or Click here to sign up for our Weekend Edition and get our top local news stories delivered to your inbox once a week— FREE!>>

    A City design permit analysis determined the proposal to be consistent with several of the City’s General Plan goals, including to “maintain the economic strength of retail centers by focusing retail activities at major intersections,” and to “revitalize and maintain corridors as economically viable and physically attractive.”

    According to documents approved by the Commission this week, the developer, Sacto Retail Ventures, LLC, will also be required to provide frontage improvements to both Madison Avenue and Sunrise Boulevard, including new sidewalks, vertical curbs and LED street lights.

    The site had been used as a retail nursery center since the 1960’s, but has been vacant for several years.

  • REVIEW: Extreme Hummus brings Mediterranean flavor to Citrus Heights

    REVIEW: Extreme Hummus brings Mediterranean flavor to Citrus Heights

    Review by Nadezhda Otterstad–
    With Citrus Heights boasting a new Mediterranean drive-thru off Antelope Road, my husband and I decided to grab a bite to eat at Extreme Hummus and were soon coming back after being impressed with the taste, service and quality of the restaurant – as well as to get a bigger picture of the menu options offered.

    Extreme Hummus, Mediterranean Gyro and Grill in Citrus Heights. Photo by Luke Otterstad
    A new family-run Mediterranean drive-thu has popped up behind Raley’s in Citrus Heights.

    Walking past some outdoor seating as we made our way to the front door, we entered a small, new dining area and were greeted by the workers busily scooping up veggies, meats and other fixings for one of their to-go customers, at a Subway-style, watch-your-food-be-made ordering counter.

    The owner greeted us and introduced himself right away, and with a friendly smile guided us through the menu’s wide selection of choices. Being a Mediterranean cuisine fan (especially a gyro fan), I dove right into ordering a lamb and beef gyro, and several minutes later, a fresh pita wrap cuddling a large portion of all kinds of vegetables and sliced meat met my face.

    Taking a look around inside, I was happy to note the restaurant was kept clean, with tables cleared off in a timely manner and bathrooms well-taken care of. The inside was a bit lacking in decor, but hopefully that will change as the business gets more established.

    My husband chose a sandwich that stood out on the menu with its name, “Shish Taouk,” and as a fan of large portions, his first reaction was noting the hefty amount of meat on what turned out to be a delicious, hot entanglement of caramelized onion heaped over lettuce, tomato, parsley and grilled chicken – all tied together by a creamy house sauce adding a little zing to each bite.

    As hummus-lovers, we were also pleased with the eight choices of fresh hummus available, with a side of hot pita bread which we sampled and enjoyed dipping our meals in. On a later visit, we also tried their house-brewed specialty tea – a blend of four different teas and spices that produces an amazing flavor (and one the owner wouldn’t share his secret on). Definitely worth the buck-fifty.

    Vegetarian options are also available, and for those in the mood for a salad, the menu had several varieties available at a fair price –although we would have preferred our Greek salad order to be a bit larger and include a bit more meat for the added price. The salad was fresh and crispy though, full of colors from the red onion and olives, and rounded out by a must-try drizzle of specialty house Greek vinaigrette dressing.

    Another great choice was a combo plate with a chicken kabob, rice, house hummus and a fresh salad, delivered hot and fresh from the kitchen. (The rice is amazing, by the way. Normally, we’re used to a cheap, pasty blob of rice thrown in with a meal, but not at this place – the rice is perfectly cooked, doesn’t stick all together, and has great flavor due to some added herbs.) The kabob was also seasoned perfectly – not too salty and not too bland – with a tender, soft texture.

    To round out one of our many meals at Extreme Hummus, we couldn’t help but try a slice of baklava that was tantalizing us in full view on the ordering counter. The sweet, sticky dessert morsel is a great way to end a good meal, with an authentic Middle Eastern experience right in Citrus Heights.

    [You may also like: “Local Food Review: ‘The Lodge’ deserves 4 stars for breakfast”]

    For those in search of a local, healthier choice than most fast-food chains, Extreme Hummus is the place that hits the spot when it comes to flavorful, affordable and healthy food. Having visited several times now, and sampling a good part of the menu, we can definitely say this family-run Mediterranean eatery is worth a visit, and once you find the dish you like on the wide selection of options, you’ll definitely be coming back for more.

    Cleanliness: Five stars
    Ambiance: A bit plain inside, but on-par if compared to standard fast-food. Great for the whole family and welcoming for even the youngest kids (kids menu is available.)
    Customer Service: Four stars for a friendly owner who speaks to his guests and often personally delivers food to table. Staff are knowledgeable about the menu and can explain what’s in each dish. We only had to drop a star due to the order time, especially on the drive-thru.
    Food: Delicious, noticeable food quality. Great flavor. Halal certified. Have to drop a star for one trip where the food was a bit cold though — an experience a few Yelpers have also commented on.
    Affordability: A bit more expensive if compared to fast-food restaurants, but a good deal when compared to other sit-down Mediterranean places. Gyros and wraps run below $9. Wraps, sandwiches, and salads, are also below $9. All hummus choices are below $7. (See full menu and prices by clicking here.)

    Overall satisfaction: 4 stars
    Extreme Hummus location and hours:
    7820 Zenith Dr. (Off Antelope Road, behind Raley’s).
    Citrus Heights, CA 95621
    Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Arts, planning commissioners appointed; some vacancies left

    Two board positions remain unfilled after Citrus Heights city council members voted to fill 11 of 13 vacancies on several City boards and commissions during last week’s council meeting.

    City of Citrus Heights sign, marquee. Stock photo. by Luke Otterstad
    Civic Center direction sign, stock photo. Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Vacancies for the positions were created after 13 terms expired at the end of 2014 on the City’s Construction Appeals Board, Planning Commission and History & Arts Commission, with new appointees serving terms ranging from two to four years in length.

    A lack of applicants for the City’s Construction Appeals Board left council members with only one choice to pick, while selections for the two other commissions were a bit more competitive.

    Planning Commission:
    City council members re-appointed Al Fox, Leah Cox, Trish Dawson and Michael Lagomarsino to the Planning Commission, as well as unanimously ratifying council member Jeanie Bruins’ nomination of newcomer Russell Blair to take the fifth open spot on the commission. The remaining three applicants — Simon Levison, Matthew Gross and Matt Hedges — did not receive enough votes to serve another term.

    The seven-member Planning Commission meets twice a month and hears land-use related projects and “reviews proposed ordinances and other issues relating to the implementation of the City’s General Plan,” according to the City’s website. The commission also makes recommendations to the city council, as it did with the city hall relocation proposal.

    History & Arts Commission:
    Bob Gerould, Jessica Mang and Jackie Robinson were all unanimously ratified by city council members to serve four-year terms on the seven-member History and Arts Commission, with a majority also selecting Larry Fritz and Evie Turner to serve two-year terms. The meeting agenda showed Levison also applied for this position, but did not receive any votes from council members.

    The History and Arts Commission works to promote cultural arts in Citrus Heights as well as assisting “in the preservation and enhancement of historical buildings and artifacts.”

    <<See prior story here: Council to appoint 13 board positions in January>>

    Construction Appeals Board:
    The council unanimously appointed Franklin Tilley to the Construction Appeals Board, with City Clerk Amy Van telling the council that although there were three open positions, Tilley’s application was the only one received. She said the City would continue receiving applications to fill the spots, and council member Miller requested staff look into the possibility of working with other cities to create a regional appeals board, citing the board’s infrequent meetings and the past difficulty the City has had in finding appointments.

    The five-member Construction Board of Appeals meets on an “as-needed” basis to hear complaints from those aggrieved by a decision of the City’s chief building official, and “assists in determining suitability of materials and methods of construction, as well as interpreting technical codes.” Applicants for the board must be “qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to building construction.”

    An application form for the Construction Board of Appeals is available here: http://www.citrusheights.net/DocumentCenter/View/72

  • High speed chase through Citrus Heights ends in crash, arrest

    Social media accounts lit up Sunday night from local users reporting helicopters and heavy police presence near Van Maren Lane and Garden Gate Drive, with Citrus Heights police later confirming they were involved in a multi-agency pursuit of a reportedly stolen SUV.

    Police lights, red blue. Photo credit: Luke Otterstad
    Stock photo. Citrus Heights Sentinel

    “I just witnessed a high speed chase outside my house,” tweeted user “CWheeler3535” around 10 p.m. Sunday, after commenting about helicopters and police sirens nearby. His comment was shortly followed by a tweet about seeing a Nissan SUV fly past him on Garden Gate Drive going “at least 100” miles per hour, with “at least 30 cops” in pursuit.

    CHPD Sergeant Mike Wells said Roseville police had requested assistance Sunday night after a vehicle they were pursuing traveled into Citrus Heights. Wells said the pursuit continued through Citrus Heights, ending outside city limits where the vehicle smashed into a wall near Woodfair Way in Carmichael.

    <<Want to follow other Citrus Heights crime stories and local news? Click here to sign up for our free Weekend Edition and get the week’s top local news stories delivered to your inbox.>>

    Following the crash, Wells said the driver fled on foot before being found in a garage, after officers from Citrus Heights, Roseville, Sacramento County and the California Highway Patrol established a perimeter around the area.

    The SUV had previously been reported stolen from Texas, according to Wells, and the driver was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and felony vehicle evasion.
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  • Harbor Freight Tools expands to Citrus Heights

    Updated 2:20 p.m.–
    Citrus Heights welcomed a new discount tool retailer to town this month, with Harbor Freight Tools celebrating its grand opening on Greenback Lane mid-December.

    Harbor Freight Tools store in Citrus Heights. Photo credit: Luke Otterstad
    The new Harbor Freight Tools store in Citrus Heights is located next to Big 5 Sporting Goods in the old Aaron Brothers art store.

    Setting up shop in the old Aaron Brothers art store across from Toys R Us, the new tool supply store promises “ridiculously low prices” on its shop equipment and array of automotive, power, and hand tools.

    Harbor Freight Tools began in California in 1977 with a small shop owned by current CEO Eric Smidt and his father, and now boasts over 500 stores nationwide, according to its website.

    <<Related: Citrus Heights to gain 200 jobs with proposed shopping center at old Capital Nursery site on Sunrise Blvd>>

    The company’s new store is located next to Big 5 Sporting Goods at 7829 Greenback Ln. in Citrus Heights, with operating hours Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • STORM: Residents pile up on free sandbags

    Updated Dec. 11, 9:46 a.m.–
    “Load your own” sandbag locations in Citrus Heights have been busy this week, with shovel-ready residents stopping by through Wednesday to load up on free sand in preparation for heavy rains and high winds hitting the area this week.

    Citrus Heights residents fill up sandbags in preparation for storm. Photo by Luke Otterstad
    Delorean Walton, 29, helps his mom, Michele, fill up sandbags in preparation for a large storm expected Wednesday.

    “This is definitely going to be a lifesaver,” said 29-year-old Delorean Walton, who was out Tuesday helping his mom fill sandbags, saying they’ve had some close calls with flooding in the past. “It was nice they put the piles out here early.”

    Although free for Citrus Heights residents, volunteer Sarah Clement was on scene checking ID’s Tuesday, saying more than a few people were turned away for coming from outside the city limits.

    The first-time volunteer also said the “steady stream” of sandbaggers had been “remarkably kind” all day at the McDonald Field location.

    “Everybody’s been really nice and helpful,” Clement said, noting a man who returned to donate some cut-off traffic cones to help others funnel sand into the narrow bag openings. “A couple of people have even come and volunteered to help senior citizens load bags.”

    The City’s Management Analyst Regina Cave said due to weight considerations, residents will be limited to 10 bags for those with cars and small trucks — although she said larger trucks will be allowed to take more, if needed. She also recommended residents take a shovel along, as bags and sand at the two locations are provided by the City, but shovels aren’t guaranteed.

    Cave said the City is also urgently looking for volunteers willing to check ID’s and monitor supplies at the sandbag locations, as she said they currently do not have enough man-power to stay open after 5 p.m.

    Those interested in volunteering at the sandbag stations are invited to call (916) 727-4736. Other sandbag or storm-related questions should be directed to the general services main line at (916) 727-4770.

    <<Want to keep up to date on local news in Citrus Heights? Click here to sign up for our free Weekend Edition and get the top local news stories delivered to your inbox once a week>>

    <<For more storm-related tips, see story: “City gears up for storm; offers preparation tips for residents”>>

    —

    Citrus Heights sandbag locations and hours (December 2014):

    Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until supplies run out (Update: Citrus Heights police tweeted an update Thursday morning saying that sandbag stations “will remain closed until further notice.” An employee at Lowe’s said their Citrus Heights location was also out of sandbags as of Wednesday evening, although other hardware stores may have bags in stock. Follow The Sentinel on Facebook or Twitter for local updates.)

    McDonald Field (at the corner of Old Auburn and Antelope Road).

    C-Bar-C Park (off Oak Avenue, just East of Fair Oaks Boulevard).

  • POLICE: neighbor utilized gun to detain theft suspects; say tactic ‘not encouraged’

    Police lights, red blue. Photo credit: Luke Otterstad
    Stock photo. Citrus Heights Sentinel

    The neighbor who single-handedly detained three juveniles in the middle of the street after an alleged vehicle burglary Wednesday was aided by a personal firearm, a sergeant from the Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD) said today – adding that the Department prefers uniformed officers handle such situations.

    See prior story here: Neighbor detains teens after vehicle break-in; 3 arrested

    CHPD Sergeant Mike Wells made the following statement today in an email to The Sentinel regarding the Department’s position on the use of firearms by residents: [box]“The Citrus Heights Police Department appreciates citizens being aware of the incidents occurring in their neighborhood and contacting police when illegal activity occurs. However, we do not encourage residents to actively get involved with the detention of individuals suspected of crimes, particularly utilizing a firearm to accomplish this task. A citizen bringing a firearm into the equation can potentially cause greater harm than good. The three subjects could have overwhelmed the citizen and taken the firearm and it’s also difficult for responding officers to determine if the subject with the weapon is a suspect or well intentioned resident. We encourage residents to be good witnesses and provide updates of the suspects location and allow uniformed officers to handle the apprehension.”[/box]

    “I’m not discouraging anyone from using a firearm to defend themselves, if serious bodily injury or death is imminent and the firearm is needed to prevent this from occurring,” the sergeant later clarified in a phone interview. “However residents need to weigh out the seriousness of the crime and whether or not they would be best served to let police intervene and be a good witness until police arrive.”

    Although the neighbor is not facing any charges for his involvement, Sergeant Wells said — before involving a firearm — gun owners should question, “Is this a life or death situation? Or is this just a property crime.”

    Wells also said under the newly passed Proposition 47, the teens’ charge for possession of stolen property will be a misdemeanor rather than a felony, since the electronics were valued at less than $950. The Department’s Police Chief Christopher Boyd, as well as the entire Citrus Heights city council, officially opposed the proposition, which reclassified many felonies to misdemeanors if they were considered “non-serious and nonviolent.”

    The teens were also arrested for possession of burglary tools as well as “conspiracy” charges, which Wells said comes in to play when more than one person works together to commit a crime.
    —
    The Sentinel wants to know: What would you have done if you saw three teens breaking into a neighbor’s vehicle at 2 a.m.? Post your comment below:

  • Free composting workshop hosted in Citrus Heights

    Updated Nov. 17, 12:45 p.m. —
    Got piles of leaves in your yard? Why not try composting them?

    Leaves, rake, leaf pile. Photo credit: Luke Otterstad
    Stock photo. Citrus Heights Sentinel

    A free workshop taught by UC Davis Master Gardeners at the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden offers training on “anything and everything about composting,” as well as free “backyard composting kits” for all attendees, according to organizers.

    Offered twice a year by Republic Services on behalf of the City of Citrus Heights, Recycling Coordinator Jordan Chernesky says anyone is welcome to attend — from compost experts, to those who’ve never heard of it. He said past attendees have come with a wide range of skill levels, but all have come away with “something new or valuable.”

    The recycling coordinator says the workshop is “especially good” this time of year, due to the amount of leaves falling in yards – which he says can turn into good soil for use in spring gardens, if composted properly.

    Composting classes will also be offered in June and November 2015, according to Chernesky.

    —
    Composting Workshop
    November 15, 2014 — 1 p.m.
    Sylvan Community Garden
    7450 Stock Ranch Rd.
    Citrus Heights, CA 95621

  • Truck collision severs power pole; closes Antelope Road

    Updated 12:57 p.m.–
    A power pole was left severed at the base and dangling along the roadside this morning when a pickup slammed into the pole, cutting power and causing Citrus Heights police to temporarily shut down traffic on Antelope Road.

    CHPD, SMUD pole accident. Photo credit: Luke Otterstad
    Citrus Heights police and SMUD crews respond to the Antelope Road accident, Thursday morning.

    Sergeant Mike Wells with the Citrus Heights Police Department said the vehicle was traveling east on Antelope Road around 6:20 a.m. when it struck the pole, causing it to fall into the roadway. Responding officers closed down both directions of Antelope from Auburn Boulevard to Mariposa Avenue.

    No other vehicles were involved in the collision, and there were no reports of injuries “at this time,” according to the sergeant.

    Sacramento Municipal Utility District crews were observed working on the downed pole shortly after the collision, and estimate power to be restored by 1 p.m., according to the utility company’s website.

    A SMUD outage map online shows the power outage occurring at 6:17 a.m., with Citrus Heights police alerting media via email of the road closure around 6:30 a.m.

    The road was re-opened by 7:10 a.m., according to CHPD.

  • Neighbor detains teens after vehicle break-in, 3 arrested

    Neighbor detains teens after vehicle break-in, 3 arrested

    Three juveniles were arrested early Wednesday morning after a witness’ husband detained them in the middle of the street following an alleged vehicle break-in, according to a press release from the Citrus Heights Police Department.

    Police Lights, SUV. Photo credit: Luke Otterstad
    Stock photo, Citrus Heights Sentinel.

    Police say the incident occurred around  2 a.m. on the 7300 block of Parkvale Way, where a neighbor observed the teens breaking into a vehicle. Officers found and arrested the suspects on Blackthorn Way and Tupelo Drive, where the witnesses’ husband had caught them.

    Stolen electronics from the vehicle were discovered on one of the suspects, and the other two had property which police say appeared to be stolen — although ownership is still being investigated. Police say the witness was able to identify the suspects, who range in age from 15 to 17 years old.

    The teens were arrested for possession of stolen property, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools.

    The press release, sent by Sergeant Eric Dias, reminded owners to not leave valuables in their vehicles — especially in plain view.

    Editor’s note: additional updates on story covered in article “Police: neighbor utilized gun to detain theft suspects; say tactic ‘not encouraged’