Elk Grove Planning Commission Regular Meeting – October 5, 2023

The Elk Grove Planning Commission met on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included two public hearings: the Treasure Homes Rezone (PLNG21-054) and the Stathos Self Storage project (PLNG21-053). Both items were recommended for approval to the City Council. Public comments were received from union representatives and nearby residents. No consent calendar items were on the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chester Haley (Carpenters Local 46) spoke in support of using responsible contractors that pay prevailing wages, provide benefits and apprenticeships, and hire locally. He urged the Commission to consider labor standards for future projects.
• Naema Brown (carpenter and organizer) expressed strong support for prevailing wages, healthcare, local hire, and apprenticeship programs, sharing her personal story about how union benefits helped her autistic child.
• Hiroko Kurosawa (resident on Tarbart Drive) expressed confusion about the proposed wall and 25-foot setback, but stated that she and three neighbors want access to the setback area. She confirmed that many oak trees on the site are dying and should be removed.
• Jeff Cecil (resident on Foxcliff Way) requested an 8-foot instead of 6-foot masonry wall, solid emergency vehicle gates to prevent pedestrian access, and raised concerns about the 25-foot bioswale area creating a no-man's land.

Discussion Items

Treasure Homes Rezone (PLNG21-054)

• Staff presented a request to rezone ±16.7 acres from RD-4 (low density, 4 du/acre) to RD-7 (low density, 7 du/acre) on a site at 7445 Bilby Road, within the Laguna Ridge Specific Plan. No construction is proposed.
• The rezone is needed to offset the loss of residential capacity caused by the Stathos Self Storage project under SB 330. It would increase residential capacity by approximately 50 units.
• The site has an approved tentative subdivision map (from 2018) that remains valid; the rezone does not require a new map.
• Commissioners discussed SB 330 requirements, noting that the loss of units from the Stathos site triggers the need for a corresponding increase elsewhere. The rezone from RD-4 to RD-7 provides that offset.
• No public testimony was offered on this item. The Commission unanimously approved a resolution recommending City Council adoption.

Stathos Self Storage (PLNG21-053)

• Staff presented a proposal for a 7.71-acre site at 6901 Elk Grove Boulevard (north side, 1600 feet west of Bruceville Road). The project includes:
  • General Plan Amendment from Low Density Residential to Employment Center
  • Rezone from RD-5 to Industrial-Office Park (MP)
  • Conditional Use Permit and Major Design Review with deviations for a ±160,000 sq. ft. personal storage facility (six single-story buildings, a two-story office/manager residence, and outdoor vehicle/RV storage)
  • Tree Removal Permit to remove all 72 trees on site, including 65 trees of local importance (12 were identified as unhealthy).
• The project supports the Valley Rail Sacramento Extension by providing a replacement location for the Laguna self-storage facility, allowing that site to become a parking lot for the planned Elk Grove passenger rail station.
• An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared; four comment letters were received and addressed. Staff added three conditions via a green sheet (lighting, surveillance cameras, and clarifying wall/fencing requirements).
• Key discussion points:
  • Wall and 25-foot setback: The zoning code requires a masonry wall on the property line adjacent to residential uses. The 25-foot setback between the wall and the storage buildings contains a bioswale for stormwater management. The applicant had offered to grant access rights to the four neighboring homeowners, but staff noted the bioswale must remain under the operator’s control. A deviation to allow the building to serve as the wall would likely require a variance.
  • Tree removal: Most trees are in poor health; one had fallen into a resident’s yard. Staff and the public supported removal.
  • Emergency vehicle access gates: Two gates on Tarbart Drive and Foxcliff Way will use Knox locks, with no pedestrian access.
• Commissioners and residents discussed the possibility of allowing neighbors to use the setback area. Staff was directed to study the feasibility of granting access rights (via easement or variance) before the City Council meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Treasure Homes Rezone: Motion to adopt the resolution recommending City Council approval of the Rezone, with a finding of no further environmental review under CEQA Section 15182. Passed unanimously (3‑0; Commissioners Fernandez and O'Con absent).
• Stathos Self Storage: Motion to adopt the resolution recommending City Council approval of the General Plan Amendment, Rezone, Conditional Use Permit, Major Design Review, and Tree Removal Permit, based on the findings in the draft resolution and the additional conditions in the green sheet. The motion also included direction to staff to study the feasibility of granting access rights to the adjacent homeowners for the 25-foot setback area. Passed unanimously (3‑0).