Elk Grove Planning Commission Meeting — Project Modifications (Wellington Crossing) and Sign Program Amendment (The Village)

The Elk Grove Planning Commission held a meeting that included approval of prior meeting minutes, two public hearing items (a modified 188-unit townhome condominium subdivision and an amendment to a shopping center’s uniform sign program), and a director’s report covering upcoming meeting dates and pending projects. The meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the regular meeting minutes of November 6, 2025 on a 5–0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-agenda public comment: No speakers were registered; public comment was closed without testimony.

Discussion Items

• Item 5.1 — Wellington Crossing (PLNG 24-040)

  • Staff presentation (Kara Killingsworth, Project Planner):
    • Request for Tentative Subdivision Map (condominiums), Subdivision Design Review, and Major Design Review to construct 188 townhome units plus a clubhouse and site improvements (parking, landscaping, and four driveways) on a 7.49-acre vacant site.
    • Site context and constraints: Zoned and designated High Density Residential; located in the 200-year floodplain, requiring habitable structures to be built above floodplain levels (garages are not considered habitable space).
    • Map/configuration: Proposed 3 condominium lots, 29 buildings plus a clubhouse. Staff described this as a modification from an original approval (noting the original had 30 buildings and two common lots), with internal reconfiguration to maintain 188 units.
    • Unit mix change discussed by staff: staff stated the modification introduces one-bedroom units (and referenced differences from the original approval regarding studios/one-bedrooms).
    • Noise: Staff stated the project will be constructed to meet General Plan criteria for 45 decibels interior.
    • Architecture: Santa Barbara style with a mix of stucco/wood/stone/tile and earth-tone colors.
    • Amenities: Clubhouse includes a pool/patio and barbecue, with pathways/courtyards and landscaping.
    • Parking: Staff stated parking reductions are tied to code changes since the project’s original approval (referencing changes such as guest parking shifting from 1 space per 4 units to 1 space per 6 units, and changes to per-unit requirements).
    • CEQA: Staff recommended finding no further environmental review required, citing consistency with the General Plan and referencing CEQA Guidelines sections 15183 and 15162.
  • Applicant testimony (Vasili Stratton, Developer):
    • Stated the homes are conceived as for-rent townhomes.
    • Clubhouse use: stated it is intended for exclusive use of residents, not outside rentals; indicated residents might potentially book it for small events (e.g., a birthday), but not as an outside event venue.
  • Commission comments/questions:
    • Questions focused on whether clubhouse use could create parking impacts and the clubhouse location relative to the north parcel.
    • Commissioner Poole expressed appreciation for the architectural style (a position of support for the design aesthetic).

• Item 5.2 — The Village Major Uniform Sign Program Amendment (PLNG 25-025)

  • Staff presentation (Antonio Ablog):
    • Amendment to the approved Village Major Uniform Sign Program to allow one additional freestanding monument sign along Weimark Drive (western boundary).
    • Project location/size: approximately 15 acres at Bighorn Blvd. and Elk Grove Blvd. within the Laguna Ridge Specific Plan; zoned Shopping Center. Staff stated the center is under construction and nearing interior improvements.
    • Background: The sign program was approved by the Planning Commission on June 19 (year not stated in the transcript).
    • Previously approved freestanding signs: 7 total (including 3 multi-tenant monument signs and 4 “placemaking” signs that advertise the center only).
    • This amendment would add one additional “Type B” sign, increasing the total to 8, and resulting in 4 multi-tenant monument signs.
    • Staff noted the sign program allows up to two freestanding signs per project entry, with six entries (up to 12 signs), so the proposal remains below the program cap.
    • Sign details: 9-foot monument sign with push-through acrylic and internal illumination designed to reduce glare (described as “halo lighting”).
    • CEQA: Staff recommended exemption under CEQA Guidelines section 15311 (Accessory Structures) for on-premise signs.
  • Applicant testimony (Richard Tierling, FAPUS Investments):
    • Stated the amendment is to add flexibility for tenant signage.
    • Reported the project is 84% leased at the time of the meeting.
    • Explained tenant placement: major tenants (examples given: Whole Foods and Barnes & Noble) would be placed on the larger 20-foot sign on Elk Grove Blvd.; smaller tenants would be on the smaller monument signs.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved Nov. 6, 2025 minutes (5–0).
• Item 5.1 (Wellington Crossing, PLNG 24-040):
  • Approved on a 5–0 vote.
  • Motion included: adopting a resolution finding no further CEQA review required (as stated in the motion: CEQA Guidelines sections 15183 and 15162) and approving the Tentative Condominium Map and Major Design Review (with findings and conditions in the draft resolution).
  • Note on record consistency: Staff’s CEQA recommendation for this item referenced 15183/15162, while the commissioner’s motion also referenced those sections but contained an initial verbal slip before restating them.
• Item 5.2 (The Village Sign Program Amendment, PLNG 25-025):
  • Approved on a 5–0 vote.
  • Motion included: adopting a resolution finding the project CEQA-exempt under 15311 and approving the Major Uniform Sign Program amendment.

Director’s Report / Scheduling

• December 18 Planning Commission meeting: 1 confirmed agenda item—re-approval of the Village 4 Tentative Subdivision Map for Sheldon Park Estates; quorum check indicated all commissioners expected to attend.
• January 15 meeting (planned items): Trilogy Med Waste Project and Triangle Point Subdivision Project.
• January 1 meeting: Recommended cancellation because it falls on the holiday; chair concurred.
• Zoning Administrator (upcoming items):
  • Mary-Hell SpringHill Suites Minor Design Review (repaint project) at Laguna Blvd. and Laguna Springs Dr. (described as “a week from Monday”).
  • Items being tracked for January 12, including: Skyport restaurant outdoor seating (Stone Lake Landing Shopping Center at Elk Grove Blvd. and Harbor Point), a map extension, and Cattleman’s Steakhouse design review.
• City Council (near-term items): Staff mentioned final maps going to Council; also noted General Plan Open Space Element and implementation work plan updates for the next week’s Council meeting.
• Future tracking (around January 14): Bartholomew Winery Amendment Project and a Sheldon Meadows map and rezone project (timing described as “around that time”).

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:27 p.m.