Elk Grove Planning Commission Regular Meeting — November 20, 2025

The Elk Grove Planning Commission met on Thursday, November 20, 2025, starting at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners approved the agenda (5-0), heard no non-agenda public comments, held a public hearing on the Sheldon Meadows Map and Rezone (a 14.5-acre rural subdivision proposal), and received a brief director’s report including recent City Council and zoning administrator actions and upcoming meeting items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-agenda public comment: None.
• Item 5.1 (Sheldon Meadows Map and Rezone) public testimony:
  • Rochelle Owen-Rainwald (public speaker): Expressed that the project, as described in the staff report, aligns with the Rural Residential framework (including 2-acre minimum lots, private wells and septic, and rural roadway standards). She urged the Commission to apply the same rural policy standards consistently to future rural-area proposals, and stated that proposals introducing more urban patterns (e.g., smaller lots or urban infrastructure) would diverge from the standards used to justify this approval.

Discussion Items

• Item 5.1 — Sheldon Meadows Map and Rezone (Project PLNG 23-003; 8690 Bradshaw Road)
  • Staff presentation (Sarah Kirsch-Gessner, Planning):
    • Proposed actions included a rezone, tentative subdivision map, subdivision design review, and a General Plan consistency determination for abandonment of a SMUD easement.
    • Site/context: Approximately 14.5 acres on Bradshaw Road; surrounded by rural residential uses to the east/west/north, with St. Maria Goretti Church immediately south.
    • Project description (factual): Subdivide into 7 single-unit residential parcels, each at least 2 gross acres, consistent with Rural Residential designation.
    • Access/improvements: Access via a 22-foot-wide gated private road from Bradshaw Road.
    • Drainage: A detention basin spanning the southern portion of Lots 1–6, maintained via CC&Rs with each property owner responsible for their portion; Lot 7 would drain to the existing ditch along Bradshaw Road.
    • Utilities/easement: An existing 10-foot SMUD easement and power pole is within the future Bradshaw Road right-of-way; the project includes relocation of the pole and vacation of the easement, with a new 12.5-foot public utility easement to be dedicated with the final map.
    • Environmental review: Staff stated no further environmental review was required under CEQA Guidelines §15183 (consistent with the General Plan EIR).
    • Correction noted: Staff referenced a supplemental “green sheet” making minor changes to Condition of Approval #2, recommended to be incorporated.
  • Commission questions/discussion:
    • Chair Juan Fernandez asked about drainage/hydrology analysis and whether detention basins would address downstream impacts. Staff responded a preliminary drainage study was completed and found no upstream or downstream impacts.
    • Chair expressed some concern about the proximity of the detention basin area to the church but indicated no further questions after staff’s response.
  • Applicant comments:
    • Applicant representatives stated they were a group of friends seeking approval to build homes on the lots; Omar Sadehi (JTS Engineering) offered to answer technical questions.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda approval: Approved 5-0.
• Consent Calendar: None.
• Item 5.1 — Sheldon Meadows Map and Rezone:
  • Action/Vote: Planning Commission approved a motion to recommend that the City Council:
    • Find no further CEQA review is required pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15183;
    • Adopt an ordinance approving the rezone (AR-5 to AR-2);
    • Adopt resolutions approving the tentative subdivision map, subdivision design review, and General Plan consistency determination for abandonment of the SMUD easement;
    • Include the revisions to Condition #2 from the supplemental green sheet.
  • Moved by / Seconded by: Commissioner Singa / Commissioner Poole.
  • Vote tally: The transcript states, “Motion passes by zero,” which is internally inconsistent with the prior roll call and audible “Aye” votes; the exact tally was not clearly captured in the transcription.

Director’s Report / Administrative Updates

• Recent actions:
  • City Council (Nov. 12, 2025): Appeal hearing for the Maverik fueling station; appeal denied and the Commission-recommended approval was upheld.
  • Zoning Administrator (Nov. 17, 2025): Hilton Garden Inn repaint (minor design review) approved.
• Upcoming Planning Commission items:
  • Dec. 4, 2025: “Wellington Crossing” item (described as a tentative subdivision map for condo-ization and minor design review/design review for subdivision layout) and a major sign program amendment for The Village.
  • Dec. 18, 2025 (tentative): Sheldon Park Estates tentative subdivision map (Commission sought confirmation that this date was still tentative).
• Upcoming Zoning Administrator:
  • Dec. 15, 2025: Marriott SpringHill Suites minor design review.
• Upcoming City Council:
  • Dec. 10, 2025: General Plan Open Space Element and Implementation Work Program updates (noted as the last Council meeting of 2025).

Adjournment

• The Chair adjourned the meeting after confirming no commissioner absences anticipated for the December 4 meeting; the exact adjournment time was not stated in the transcript.