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Tag: Stock Ranch

  • New Citrus Heights retail, restaurants planned for Auburn Blvd

    Citrus Heights development, auburn blvd
    A conceptual view of the Auburn Commerce District, as shown in Citrus Heights Planning Commission documents.

    Updated August 3, 9:17 a.m.–
    Wondering what’s coming to those long-vacant lots in front of the Auburn Boulevard Costco and Walmart?

    After many years of vacancy, development is finally underway on the 10-pad, 12-acre zone along Auburn Boulevard, with Citrus Heights Planning Commission documents showing plans for two new restaurants and a number of smaller retail stores to complete the area known as the “Auburn Commerce District.”

    New construction in the commercial-zoned district is governed by the Stock Ranch Guide for Development, passed by the city council in 2001 and most recently updated in 2015. Development of the area began with Costco in 2003 and Walmart in 2005, followed by city council approval in 2008 for a 14,000 square feet Fresh & Easy store — but those plans fell through when Fresh & Easy’s parent company “announced withdrawal of its development plans in the United States,” according to the City.

    Further development in the Auburn Commerce District remained dormant until April 2015, when Applebee’s received approval to construct a new restaurant. The company expects the new location to open by November.

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

    Although official announcements have not been made regarding which retail and restaurant establishments will take up the remaining pads available, Citrus Heights City Manager Henry Tingle said at least three businesses were in “negotiation” for spots at the beginning of this year. An April staff report to the city council also indicates a bank has expressed interest in opening a branch at the location, and recent amendments to the Stock Ranch Guide stated an intent to attract a drive-thru restaurant.

    *Update, August 3, 2015: Since publishing this story, The Sentinel was informed by Citrus Heights Senior Planner Casey Kampenaar that Applebee’s is still the only business confirmed to be taking up one of the new pads alongside Auburn Boulevard.
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  • Citrus Heights organic garden to host 2nd annual plant sale

    Greenhouse plant seedlings. Photo by Luke Otterstad
    Greenhouse plants, stock photo. Citrus Heights Sentinel

    Updated Mar. 28, 5:31 p.m. —
    The Sylvan Ranch Community Garden will be holding its 2015 plant sale next month, with organizers inviting the public to come see what’s been growing in their newly built greenhouse — and hopefully pick up a plant or two to help support the nearly two-acre garden project.

    Naming off a list of plants being grown this year, community garden Board Member Debbie LeVon said plants include four beans varieties, six kinds of cucumbers, several different eggplant types, four kinds of corn, a wide variety of herbs, several different melons, and nearly a dozen varieties of peppers — as well as squash, tomatoes and a variety of flowers.

    LeVon said the annual fundraiser is a good way to provide quality plant starts for gardeners in the community, commenting that prices will be $5 or less, depending on the size of plant. She also said any plants left over will be grown in a special section of the garden which helped provide a donation of over 250 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to a local food closet last year.

    [You may also like: 2015 contests, concerts & camping coming to Rusch Park]

    Located at the corner of Sylvan and Stock Ranch Road, the once-vacant lot has been transformed into a thriving organic garden – thanks to the efforts of “enthusiastic gardeners,” according to LeVon.

    The City-sponsored garden project began in 2009 and allows residents to grow and harvest in designated “common areas” for a membership fee of $25 per year. Members can also lease their own 4 feet by 20 feet plot for an additional $25, with preference given to Citrus Heights residents, according to the garden’s website.

    Required to be self-sufficient, LeVon said the community garden relies on membership fees and fundraisers to help maintain and improve the location each year. The group held its first plant sale last April, with organizers reporting fundraising goals were exceeded by “over $100.”

    [From 2014: Plant sale exceeds goal for community garden]

    All proceeds from this year’s plant sale will go to benefit the garden, according to LeVon.

    More information is available at http://sylvanranchgarden.org. (*Editor’s note: as of Mar. 20, the garden’s website appears to be down, pending renewal.)
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    If you go:

    Plant Sale (see flier: 2015 April Plant Sale )
    Sylvan Ranch Community Garden
    7450 Stock Ranch Rd., Citrus Heights
    Dates: April 11 – 12, 18 – 19
    Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.