Sacramento County Planning Commission Meeting

Note: The meeting transcript indicates the meeting occurred on September 23, 2024, at approximately 7:00 PM, while the provided date is September 27, 2024, 8:02 AM UTC. This summary uses the given date with acknowledgment of the discrepancy.

The Sacramento County Planning Commission met on September 27, 2024 (as dated) to consider three agenda items: a non-contested time extension, a contested subdivision (Excelsior Oaks), and a contested congregate care facility expansion (Nueva Vista). All items were approved, with the latter approved with an added condition.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 (PLMP 2022-00251): Time extension for a property at 4601 Whitney Avenue, Arden Arcade. Staff recommended approval; no questions or public comment. Motion to approve carried unanimously (5-0).

Discussion Items

Item 2: Excelsior Oaks Subdivision (PLNP 2019-00054)

• Proposal: Divide a 25.2-acre parcel into 12 lots (2-2.3 acres each) in the AR-2 zone, with a special development permit for reduced frontage on two lots, and design review. Located north of Excelsior Avenue and Bellaterra Lane, Orangevale community.
• Staff Presentation: Planner Serving Werta presented. Project includes new public roads (42-ft and 38-ft cul-de-sac), equestrian easement, and building envelopes. Environmental document: Mitigated Negative Declaration, released August 21, 2024.
• CPAC Recommendation: Orangevale CPAC (Nov 7, 2023) voted 5-0 to recommend approval but with Class C street improvements (instead of Class D), a stub ending instead of cul-de-sac for future Hazel Avenue connection, and speed control on Excelsior Avenue. Staff retained Class D and cul-de-sac per site improvement section.
• DRAC Recommendation: Design Review Advisory Committee recommended finding substantial compliance with design guidelines, with each lot reviewed individually.
• Questions & Answers:
  • Commissioner Borja inquired about septic systems vs. sewer. Staff noted nearest sewer lateral was hundreds of feet away and parcel size allowed septic. Applicant (Javed Siddiqui and Vlad Alcal) stated they can extend sewer if required but it involves more off-site construction.
  • Commissioner Conklin asked about multi-use equestrian trail. Staff confirmed park district and applicant had no concerns with multi-use.
  • Commissioner Devlin questioned low density. Applicant responded it maintains consistency with AR-2 zoning and local preference for 2-acre minimum lots.
• Public Comment: None.
• Deliberation: Commissioner Devlin urged preservation of heritage oak (tree #15) with raptor nest. Motion to approve staff recommendation made and seconded.
• Vote: Unanimous (5-0).

Item 3: Nueva Vista Congregate Care Facility (PLMP 2019-00209)

• Proposal: Expand existing congregate care facility at Roosevelt Avenue and 47th Street, South Sacramento, from 53 to 140 residents. Includes use permit, minor use permit, special development permit (to reduce rear yard setback, parking from 56 to 48, and landscaping modifications), and design review. Project site merges 7 parcels (3.35 acres) with existing buildings to be refurbished.
• Staff Presentation: Planner Leanne Mueller presented. Environmental document: Mitigated Negative Declaration, released June 21, 2024. Two public comments received: one requesting full landscaping, one from South Oak Park Community Association opposing the use.
• CPAC Recommendation: South Sacramento CPAC voted to recommend denial and pre-authorized an appeal to the Board of Supervisors.
• Applicant Presentation: Brian Holloway (Holloway Land Co.) and Linda Kaufman (Synergy Programs) presented. They argued the facility serves elderly adults with mental health issues, prioritizing Sacramento County clients. They provided letters of support from the community and mental health commission. They disputed overconcentration concerns, stating only 8 similar facilities in the 95820 zip code (out of 10,221 in county) and 123 facilities have closed since 2019.
• Questions & Answers:
  • Commissioner Borja asked about client origin. Ms. Kaufman confirmed priority to Sacramento County, with some from neighboring counties.
  • Commissioner Borja asked about safety and staffing. Applicant stated 22 staff for 49 clients currently, expanding to about 1:3 ratio; clinical staff available 24/7; minimal calls to police (mostly medical).
  • Commissioner Corona Savignano asked about patient-to-staff ratio for expansion. Applicant responded approximately 1:3 and noted a revolving referral list with criteria (e.g., 60 days no assault).
  • Commissioner Conklin raised confusion over landscaping plans (missing screening trees along 85-ft section due to water line). Applicant presented a different version with trees. Staff preferred keeping special development permit language for flexibility.
• Public Comment: None in person, but multiple letters of support were submitted.
• Deliberation: Commissioner Rethel commended limited use of special development permit and preservation of oak trees. Chair Ikeda noted historical annexation issues. Commissioner Devlin moved to approve staff recommendation with an additional condition requiring the operator to maintain a staff point of contact (phone number) for Lawrence Park Neighborhood Association and South Oak Park Community Association. The applicant agreed. Motion seconded.
• Vote: Unanimous (5-0) as amended.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Approved unanimously (5-0) - time extension.
• Item 2: Approved unanimously (5-0) - Excelsior Oaks tentative subdivision map, special development permit, and design review, per staff recommendation.
• Item 3: Approved unanimously (5-0) - Nueva Vista Congregate Care Facility use permit, minor use permit, special development permit, and design review, as amended with condition for neighborhood association contact.

Additional Items

• Planning Director's Report: Todd Smith reported upcoming meetings: October 7th (contested item in Orangevale), October 21st (zoning code updates for massage establishments and Upper West Side Specific Plan hearing on draft EIR). No commission absences noted.

Public Comments

• No additional public comments during miscellaneous portion.

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM.