dev.citrusheightssentinel.com

Tag: Planning Commission

Applicants sought to serve on Citrus Heights planning commission, boards

Night-view of the new Citrus Heights city hall. // CH Sentinel

Updated Nov. 29, 6:02 p.m.–
Want to make a difference in your city? The City of Citrus Heights is currently accepting applications through Dec. 12 for those interested in serving on the Planning Commission, Construction Board of Appeals, or the History & Arts Commission.

A majority of positions on several local boards and commissions in Citrus Heights are set to expire in December, with a total of 12 positions up for appointment by the city council. All positions range from two to four year terms and require applicants to be residents of Citrus Heights and be 18 years of age or older – except for the History and Arts Commission, which allows former residents and descendants of Citrus Heights residents to apply.

The seven-member Planning Commission typically meets once or 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.

An application form for the positions list no formal training or experience requirements to serve as a planning commissioner, but specifies applicants need to have “an interest and desire to participate in the planning and development of the City of Citrus Heights.”

The History and Arts Commission is also a comprised of seven members and works to promote cultural arts in Citrus Heights as well as assisting “in the preservation and enhancement of historical buildings and artifacts.” The commission was founded in 2001 and meets once a month on the first Monday.

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.” According to a city notice, applicants must be “qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to building construction.”

The construction board is notorious for having a lack of community members willing to serve. It currently has only two active members, with three unfilled vacancies.

Applications for all positions are available online and must be submitted to the City clerk by 5 p.m. on Dec. 12.
—

Download the application form here: www.citrusheights.net/DocumentCenter/View/72

October 19, 2016
New Sunrise Blvd memory care center under construction

A preliminary landscape plan from Citrus Heights Planning Commission documents shows the layout of a new memory care center under construction on Sunrise Blvd. Image courtesy, MSLA Landscape Architecture.

Construction began last week on a new 48-bed memory care facility on Sunrise Boulevard, with the completed project set to include a large courtyard and water features, along with protection for a 400-year-old oak tree identified on the property.

Located just north of Highland Avenue near the FoodMaxx shopping center, the new “Courte at Sunrise Oaks” memory care center plans to provide round-the-clock care for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s, according to Citrus Heights Planning Commission documents. The 32,000-square-feet facility will include a common dining and gathering space, as well as a fully functional kitchen for preparing and serving meals.

The 2.8-acre site project was approved by planning commissioners in January, with conditions including a requirement to install meandering sidewalks along Sunrise Boulevard and three new LED street lights. The project plans also include installation of an on-site water detention basin and the use of pervious concrete pavement in an 18-spot parking area, to address several neighbor concerns about drainage and flooding issues in the past.

Inch-for-inch replacement of 14 trees protected by the City’s tree ordinance is also a requirement detailed in the planning commission documents, with an alternative option to pay an “in-lieu mitigation fee” of $298 per inch of protected trees removed.

Although only a few resident concerns about traffic flow and drainage issues were raised by the current project, a previous proposal to build a 36-unit, two-story apartment complex on the site was opposed by neighbors and denied by planning commissioners in 1997, according to a January 28 agenda packet from the commission.

[Document: Jan. 28, 2015 Planning Commission Agenda Packet]

Citrus Heights Associate Planner Alison Bermudez said she had not not heard an estimated date for completion of the memory care center, but said building permits for the project had been picked up within the last two weeks.

Bermudez said another memory care center was also approved by the commission a few years ago on a vacant parcel on Sunrise Boulevard near Twin Oaks Avenue, but she said no action has been taken since then.

August 8, 2015
Citrus Heights this week: what’s happening around town

Updated April 21, 5:46 p.m.–
Wondering what’s going on in Citrus Heights this week? From community events to city council and planning commission meetings, there’s a lot going on around town.

This week’s local activities offer a variety of free options, with the annual Pet-a-Palooza event expected to draw thousands of pets and people to Rusch Park on Saturday, along with the Citrus Town Center’s family-fun Spring Celebration and Metro Fire’s CPR training at the Sunrise Mall.

Those hoping to make it to all three events may encounter some scheduling difficulties, as all of them are planned for the same day: April 25.

Pet-a-Palooza will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, while the two-hour Spring Celebration is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and the nearby CPR training offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On an event flier, Metro Fire says participants can learn how to save a life “in just 5 minutes,” so it shouldn’t be hard to squeeze in a quick trip if you’re trying to make it to multiple events.

[Full story: Metro Fire to offer free CPR training at Sunrise Mall on April 25]

There’s also two events this Friday, with Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan inviting residents to her 7:30 a.m. monthly “Community Cabinet Meeting” at the Citrus Heights Denny’s, and Gun Owners of California holding its annual crab feed at the Citrus Heights Community Center beginning at 5:30 p.m.

[Related: County Rep reaches out to Citrus Heights residents]

For those interested in local government, the Citrus Heights Planning Commission will be meeting this Wednesday at 7 p.m., and the city council will meet the following evening.

Planning commission members will hold several public hearings concerning electronic signs at Antelope Crossing, development of 23 residential lots at Sunrise Boulevard and Lawrence Avenue, and a Design Review Permit for a new Applebee’s on Auburn Boulevard. Commissioners will also be asked to approve a staff update to the City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Program.

[Related: New Applebee’s bar & grill to open in Citrus Heights]

Prior to its usual 7 p.m. meeting, City Council members will be holding a public study session at 6 p.m. on Thursday to assess a salvage plan for city hall, in light of the council’s recent approval for a new city hall and medical office building.

[Document: April 23 City Council Agenda , April 22 Planning Commission Agenda]

The council will also be asked to receive and file the City’s Quarterly Treasurer’s Report and authorize the city manager to apply for Homeless Veterans Support Program Funding. An annual report from the Sunrise Marketplace is also on the agenda, as well as consideration of a commercial lease agreement for an Auburn Boulevard property.

<<Want to tell us about an upcoming local event, or don’t see an event you think should be on here? Click to contact us.>>

[follow text=”Get local news:”]

—
Additional info:

Pet-a-Palooza: see story, “Pet-a-Palooza 2015 coming to Rusch Park April 25”

Spring Celebration: see story, “Event: Citrus Town Center kicks off season with free family fun”

CPR training: “Metro Fire to offer free CPR training at Sunrise Mall“

April 21, 2015
Proposed new city hall, medical building set for final vote in March

Wondering what’s going on with the proposal to construct a new three-story medical office building in place of the existing Citrus Heights city hall?

Computer rendering of Dignity Health’s proposed new three-story medical office building on Greenback Lane. // Courtesy, City of Citrus Heights

After more than a year of discussion, debate and even a lawsuit threat by an upset resident group, Citrus Heights council members are scheduled to take a final vote in March on the proposal to relocate a new $18 million city hall, and allow Dignity Health to construct a 68,000-square-feet medical office building (MOB) at the corner of Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive.

[Related: GALLERY: Artistic Images of Proposed New City Hall]

According to Monica Alejandrez, assistant to the city manager, environmental consultants and City staff are currently working on the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the proposals, which will include responses to all comments submitted during a 45-day review period on a draft version of the report released in December. She said the City is hoping to have the final report completed by February 27, but it depends on how quickly consultants can compile responses to comments.

Although comments were also able to be submitted in writing, public comments received from a handful of residents during a January 14 Planning Commission hearing included complaints about increased traffic, noise and an “inadequate” environmental review. A suggestion was also made by resident Norman Hill to lessen visibility impacts of the proposed three-story MOB by lowering it to two-story and increasing the set-back “so it’s not right up against Greenback.”

City officials have called the Dignity Health proposal a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for Citrus Heights to get an $18.9 million new hall for an estimated net cost of about $5 million. The discounted cost would come primarily from income brought in by the proposed Dignity Health lease, as well as from projected energy and repair savings coming from a more efficient new city hall building, according to City Manager Henry Tingle.

The city council had previously selected a location on Antelope Road last year as the “preferred site” for a new city hall, but council members voted unanimously to switch plans to a closer, larger parcel that came available late last year. The new 10-acre “Stock Property” enjoys greater public support, and is located next to the Post Office — just several hundred feet from where the existing hall sits on Fountain Square Drive.

[Related: New City Hall Site Option Draws Support, While Medical Building Criticized]

Upcoming March 2015 meetings:
March 11, 7 p.m. — The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the FEIR, design review permit, and associated actions. Ultimately, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council to either approve or deny the FEIR, design review permits, and other associated actions related to the proposed Medical Office Building and City Hall Project.

March 12, 5 p.m. — A study session will be held by the city council to discuss the two draft ground leases related to the proposals.

March 26, 7 p.m. — A public hearing and vote will be held by the city council to consider approving the FEIR, design review permit “and other associated actions related to the proposals.” The council will also decide whether or not to authorize the city manager to enter into the proposed ground leases associated with proposals.

*All meetings are scheduled to take place in the Citrus Heights City Council Chambers, at 7117 Greenback Ln.

February 16, 2015
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.

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.

January 30, 2015
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.

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

January 15, 2015
Council to appoint 13 board positions in January

Applications are being accepted through December 18 for positions on the Citrus Heights Planning Commission, Construction Board of Appeals and the History & Arts Commission, as city council members are set to appoint 13 positions whose terms are set to expire at the end of the year.

Stock photo, civic center sign. Citrus Heights Sentinel

“It’s always great to see people who want to get involved in city government,” council member Jeff Slowey said at a December council meeting. “If you’re interested, feel free to put in an application, we always like to see new people.”

All positions range from two to four year terms and require applicants to be residents of Citrus Heights and be 18 years of age or older – except for the History and Arts Commission, which allows former residents and descendants of Citrus Heights residents to apply.

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.

An application form for the positions list no formal training or experience requirements to serve as a planning commissioner, but specifies applicants need to have “an interest and desire to participate in the planning and development of the City of Citrus Heights.”

The other seven-member commission with five seats up for appointment is the History and Arts Commission, which works to promote cultural arts in Citrus Heights as well as assisting “in the preservation and enhancement of historical buildings and artifacts.” The commission was founded in 2001 and meets once a month on the first Monday.

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.” According to a City notice, applicants for this commission must be “qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to building construction.”

Applications for all positions are available online and must be submitted to the City clerk by 5 p.m., December 18. Council members are scheduled to make appointments at their January 8, 2015 meeting.

—

City flier about open positions: http://www.citrusheights.net/DocumentCenter/View/2966
Application form: http://www.citrusheights.net/DocumentCenter/View/72

December 17, 2014
Council to appoint 13 board positions; deadline to apply Dec. 18

Click here to see updated story.

December 4, 2014
New City Hall: Environmental and Traffic Impact Report Released

Over 800 pages of documents were released for public review this week, as part of the City’s proposed plan to move City Hall to Antelope Road and allow a 68,000 square feet medical building to be built in its place.

The documents include a detailed assessment of environmental and traffic impacts at the new hall’s proposed location, as well as the medical office building location at Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive.

Environmental assessment portions of the documents make up nearly 700 pages, while the traffic study portion details the findings of Fehr & Peers in a 47-page report, with an additional 110 pages of appendices. Among other findings, the study determined that a new traffic light would be necessary if the new hall were to be built on Antelope Road, between Mariposa Avenue and Auburn Boulevard.

The Citrus Heights Planning Division included a statement along with the documents which indicated the proposal would require the City to amend its General Plan in order to change the land use designation from “public use” to “general commercial” on a portion of the proposed medical building site. The statement also said the City would need to amend its zoning code in order to allow public buildings at the residential-zoned Antelope Road site.

Interested parties and agencies are encouraged by the City to review the report and provide comments during the public review period which will continue until July 11, with documents available for viewing online at the City’s website, or in person at City Hall’s public counter.

Following the public review period, the Planning Commission will consider the building proposals on July 9, and the City Council will take the matter up at its July 24 meeting.

—

Additional Information:

Full report available at: http://www.citrusheights.net/home/index.asp?page=1617

Comments on the report must be submitted in writing to:

Colleen McDuffee, Planning Manager
City of Citrus Heights
6237 Fountain Square Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621

Upcoming meetings:

July 9, 2014 7:00 PM
Planning Commission Public Hearing
Location: City Council Chambers
7117 Greenback Lane

July 24, 2014 7:00 PM
City Council Public Hearing
Location: City Council Chambers
7117 Greenback Lane

June 14, 2014