Thu, Aug 21, 2025·Elkgrove, California·Other

Elk Grove Planning Commission Approves Retail, Cell Tower, and Residential Projects on August 24, 2025

Discussion Breakdown

Engineering And Infrastructure47%
Procedural21%
Technology and Innovation16%
Economic Development7%
Community Engagement7%
Parks and Recreation2%

Summary

Elk Grove Planning Commission Regular Meeting - August 24, 2025

This meeting covered three major development projects: the Elk Grove Sports Center Retail Building, an amendment to a T-Mobile wireless facility, and a residential subdivision on a former school site. All items received commission approval with minimal discussion.

Consent Calendar

  • There were no consent calendar items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 5.3, Milestone 2 Project: Neighbor Stephen Bruce Nelson expressed opposition to increasing density from RD5 to RD6 and concerns about potential two-story homes behind his property, dust, noise, and fencing. He also stated the applicant had been unresponsive to his prior inquiries.

Discussion Items

  • Item 5.1: Elk Grove Sports Center Retail Building and Map Project (PLNG 24-030 & 25-010): Staff presentation on a major design review for a 19,700 sq ft retail building and a tentative parcel map to subdivide one parcel into two. Staff recommended approval with modifications to conditions related to drainage and stormwater quality. The applicant had no objections to the modifications. Commissioners had brief questions about new commercial lighting standards.
  • Item 5.2: T-Mobile Racket Court Amendment (PLNG 25-013): Staff presentation on a conditional use permit amendment to replace a 55-foot slim line pole with a 75-foot monopine (camouflaged as a pine tree) and add new T-Mobile equipment. Staff noted the change improves service and allows for future co-location. Commissioners discussed the trend toward taller towers for co-location and questioned the provided coverage comparison graphics.
  • Item 5.3: Milestone 2 GPA, Rezone and Map Project (PLNG 24-08): Staff presentation on a proposal to change a ~10-acre former school site to low-density residential, rezone it to RD6, and subdivide it into 56 single-family lots. Staff clarified the Elk Grove Unified School District determined the site was no longer needed for a school. The applicant thanked staff and committed to being a good neighbor, including replacing fences for abutting properties at no cost.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 5.1: Motion to approve the resolution, design review, and tentative parcel map passed unanimously.
  • Item 5.2: Motion to approve the resolution and conditional use permit amendment passed unanimously.
  • Item 5.3: Motion to recommend City Council approval of the general plan amendment, rezone, tentative map, and other entitlements passed unanimously. The applicant committed to addressing the neighbor's fencing concerns.

Other Business

  • The September 4th meeting was canceled due to no agenda items. The next meeting is scheduled for September 18th.
  • The Director reported on recent and upcoming zoning administrator hearings and city council items.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody. I will call to order the Elk Grove Planning Commission regular meeting Thursday, August 24th at 6 p.m. I'll start with the land acknowledgement. We honor, respect, and acknowledge Elk Grove's first inhabitants, the Plains of Miwok, who lived as sovereign caretakers of this land and these waterways since time immemorial. We commemorate and advocate for their descendants, the Wilton Rancheria tribe, the only federally recognized tribe in Sacramento County who endure because of the bravery, resiliency, and detrimentation of their ancestors, tribal members, and leaders. Please silence your electronic devices. And Sandy, will you please read the customary greeting? The Elk. The Elkgrove Planning Commission welcomes, appreciates, and encourages participation in the meetings. The commission reserves the right to reasonably limit the total time for public comment on any particular noticed agenda item as it may be deemed necessary. If you wish to address the commission during the meeting, please complete a speaker card in the back of the room and give it to the clerk prior to consideration of the agenda item. Will the clerk please call the roll? Commissioners Sandra Poole, present. Verinder Singh is absent. Present. And Chair Juan Fernandez. Present. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Thanks to the Republic for which it has a individual changes. And will you please join us in a moment of silence? Moving on to the approval of the agenda, do I have a motion to approve tonight's agenda? And Chelsea, do I need to mention the documents? Thank you. I move to approve the agenda as presented. Moved. Seconded. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? None. Agenda passes. I will now open the opportunity for the public comment. Members of the audience may comment on any item not on the agenda that is of interest to the public and within the jurisdiction of the planning commission. The planning commission cannot take action on non-agendized items raised under public comment until the matter has been specifically included on an agenda as an action item. Sandy, are there any general comment cards? We do not have any cards currently. No general comment cards. I will close the public comment. We do not have consent calendar items. Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the planning commission. Joseph Dagamin, associate planner with the community development department. This is the Elkgrove Sports Center Retail Building and Map Project. Tonight's project consists of a major design review for the construction of a single story commercial building, totaling approximately 19,700 square feet, along with associated parking, landscaping, and lighting improvements. Construction of the building will occur on building pad C of the Elk Grove Sports Center Complex. Also included as part of this project is a tentative parcel map to subdivide one existing parcel into two parcels. I'll make note and I'll mention in the presentation later. The new building will be located on a separate parcel. And this project will be subject to the climate action plan for non-residential development. The project site is located at 3443 Laguna Boulevard, the north side of Laguna Boulevard, approximately 300 feet west of Dwight Road.