County Planning Commission Meeting – October 9, 2024
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County Planning Commission Meeting – October 9, 2024
An overview of the County Planning Commission meeting held on October 9, 2024 (transcript indicates October 7, 2024; date discrepancy noted per user instruction). The commission considered four agenda items: two non-contested approvals, one contested mixed-use development, and a director's report. Key actions included unanimous approval of two routine projects and a modified approval of a controversial gas station/convenience store/self-storage project.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1 (PLMP 2023-00216): Conditional use permit and design review at 4554 Auburn Boulevard (Carmichael). Approved unanimously (4-0) with no public comment.
- Item 2 (PLMP 2023-00110): Development plan review and design review at 7430 Reese Road (South Sacramento). Approved unanimously (4-0) after adding a revised finding four; no public comment.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Stephen McDonald (Administrator, Almond Heights Senior Living): Representing 112 residents adjacent to the project site. Expressed concerns about emergency evacuation access via the north easement, privacy/landscaping along the west property line, potential cut-through traffic through the senior community, and safety/character impacts from the proposed 24-hour gas station. Requested mitigation measures.
- No other public comments were submitted.
Discussion Items
- Item 3 (PLNP 2022-00220) – Greenback & Hickory Project: Mixed-use development at 8695 Greenback Lane (Orangevale) including a tentative parcel map, use permit for an Arco gas station and AMPM convenience store (24/7), special development permit (SDP) for deviations, and design review. The site also includes a two-story climate-controlled self-storage facility (mini storage, by-right use). The project required street widenings, signal work, and an estimated $1.8 million in off-site improvements.
- Staff Presentation (Irving Huerta, Assistant Planner): Summarized the project, environmental document (Mitigated Negative Declaration), CPAC recommendation (denial), DRAC recommendation (approval), and key conditions. Noted the SDP would allow a reduced landscape planter width (4.5 ft) along the west property line, deviating from the 7-ft standard.
- Applicant Testimony (Paul Petrovic, owner): Explained the history of the property and the easement granted to Almond Heights. Proposed solutions for cut-through traffic (gated entry with keypad/fire gate), lighting (dark-sky/ballast), alcohol sales (ARCO corporate restrictions, sheriff conditions), and landscaping (potential for taller shrubs/cypress trees in the narrow planter). Emphasized the project’s long-term EV readiness and market viability.
- Commissioner Deliberations: Discussion focused on the west side landscape planter deviation and its impact on neighboring seniors. Commissioner Devlin expressed concern that the deviation would leave residents looking at a blank wall without screening trees. Others noted the applicant’s willingness to find a solution. After debate, Commissioner Devlin moved to approve the staff recommendation but strike the landscape planter deviation from the SDP, allowing the applicant to resolve the screening issue before the Board of Supervisors hearing. The motion carried.
Key Outcomes
- Item 3 – Modified Approval: The commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval of the use permit, special development permit (excluding the landscape planter deviation), tentative parcel map, and design review to the Board of Supervisors. The board will address the remaining deviation at a future hearing scheduled for December 10, 2024.
- Item 4 – Planning Director’s Report: No actions taken. Staff noted attendance at the APA California conference and upcoming zoning code amendments.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for October 21, 2024, with anticipated robust public engagement.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. We're gonna go ahead and call to order the county planning commission for October 7th, 2024. Will you please call the roll? Yes, Commissioner Spoha. Here. Conklin? Here. Corona Sabignano. Devlin? Here. And Raithel. Here. And you do have a quorum. If you'll please stand with me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I Pledge Allegiance to the Planet. And to the Republic for which it stands. Under God and visible. With liberty. All right. We'll start with our non-contested portion of the agenda this evening. Will you please call item number one? Yes. And um, can I read I'm gonna read the county's announcement really quickly here? So that's okay. The county fosters public engagement during the meeting and encourages public participation, civility, and use of courteous language. The commission does not condone use of profanity, vulgar language, gestures, or other inappropriate behavior, including personal attacks or threats directed towards any meeting participant. Seating may be limited and available on a first come first served basis to make an in-person public comment. Please complete and submit a speaker request for and to the clerk. Each individual will be invited to the podium to make a comment. Members of the public may send a written comment, which is distributed to commission members and filed in the record. Contact information is optional and should include the meeting date and agenda or off agenda item number to be sent as follows. Email a comment to board clerk at SACCounty.gov or mail a comment to 700H Street Suite 2450, Sacramento, California, 95814. And by your leave, Chair Rathel, your and Commissioners. Item number one this evening is I apologize here. So it is PLMP 2023-00216 for a conditional use permit and design review. And it is located at 4554 Auburn Boulevard, approximately 240 feet southwest of the intersection of Pasadena Avenue and Auburn Boulevard in the Carmichael Old Food Hill Farms community. And the environmental document is a notice of exemption. Thank you. Good evening, Commissioners. Todd Smith, Planning Director. This item is a non-contested item. Staff is available and ready should you desire a presentation. It's up to you. Thank you so much. I'll look to the commissioners. Any request for a presentation or staff questions this evening? No. And I would like to move the agenda item when appropriate. Perfect. Go ahead and second that.
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