Sacramento County Planning Commission Meeting - July 29, 2025

The meeting was called to order at 5:37 PM on July 29, 2025, by Vice Chair (acting in Chair Conklin's absence until he joined remotely). The commission considered three agenda items: a fueling station and retail development on Calvane Road, a Verizon cell tower in Antelope, and a townhome condominium project on Stockton Boulevard. All items were approved unanimously. The director provided an update on recent state housing legislation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2 (Calvine Road Fueling Station): No public comments were made.
• Item 1 (Heartland Drive Cell Tower): Livingston Graves, an Antelope resident near Totem Park, expressed concerns about RF/EMF exposure from the proposed Verizon tower. He questioned its necessity given an existing tower on site and raised health concerns for nearby residents, noting he spoke on behalf of neighbors.
• Item 3 (Florian Town Homes): No public comments were made.
• Non-agenda public comment: None.

Discussion Items

• Item 2: Zoning Ordinance Amendment, Conditional Use Permit, and Design Review for 8881 Calvane Road (Fueling Station, Convenience Store, Car Wash). Staff planner Christian Balthazar presented the 2.5-acre vacant site in the Vineyard community. The proposal includes six double-sided fueling stations, a 5,347 sq ft convenience store, a 1,713 sq ft car wash, and a 5,382 sq ft retail building. All but one existing oak tree would be removed, with 62 new trees proposed. A Mitigated Negative Declaration was released on June 17, 2025. The Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC) supported the project in September 2024; the Vineyard CPAC lacked a quorum but attendees expressed support. Commissioner Borja inquired about traffic analysis regarding semi-truck turns and potential median extension; staff confirmed discussions with the Department of Transportation. Applicant Kurt Wagon Act accepted staff conditions. A motion to approve staff recommendations passed unanimously (all present voted yes).
• Item 1: Use Permit, Special Development Permit, and Design Review for 5127 Heartland Drive (Verizon Cell Tower). Staff introduced the item as non-contested. Commissioner Virga recused himself due to his role as chair of the park and rec board (property owner). Applicant Justin Groerdyck (Verizon) had no initial comments. Public commenter Mr. Graves noted an existing T-Mobile tower and raised health and necessity concerns. The applicant responded that the existing tower cannot be reused, coverage maps show poor current Verizon service (red), and the new tower would provide indoor coverage within FCC RF exposure limits. Vice Chair noted the county height limit of 50 feet, that FCC guidelines preempt local health-based restrictions, and suggested Mr. Graves contact the park district board. A motion to approve staff recommendations passed unanimously (all present voted yes, Virga recused).
• Item 3: Tentative Parcel Map, Special Development Permit, Waiver for Condominiums, and Design Review for 7298 Stockton Boulevard (Florian Town Homes). Staff planner Austin Chan presented the 2.21-acre vacant site in South Sacramento. The proposal divides the parcel into 1.448 and 0.77 acres for a 38-unit three-story condominium townhome community with two-car garages, private yards, and a community garden. A special development permit seeks deviations from several design standards. A Mitigated Negative Declaration was released on June 16, 2025. DRAC supported the project in March 2024; the South Sacramento CPAC lacked a quorum but noted concerns about traffic, affordability, and fencing. Staff confirmed a no-net loss analysis for housing element sites. Applicant Dan Gamble provided additional clarification on deviations but accepted staff recommendations. Commissioner Borja asked about the parcel map waiver process; staff explained it facilitates future condominium airspace maps. A motion to approve staff recommendations passed unanimously (all present voted yes).
• Item 4: Dropped from Agenda. The commission voted unanimously to drop item PLMP 2022-0289 (tentative subdivision map at 7948 Sunset Avenue, Fair Oaks).

Key Outcomes

• Item 2 (Calvine Road): Approved (all ayes) – staff recommendation adopted, including mitigated negative declaration, zoning ordinance amendment, conditional use permit, and design review.
• Item 1 (Heartland Drive): Approved (all ayes, Virga recused) – staff recommendation adopted, including use permit, special development permit, and design review.
• Item 3 (Florian Town Homes): Approved (all ayes) – staff recommendation adopted, including tentative parcel map, special development permit, waiver for condominiums, and design review.
• Item 4: Dropped from agenda by unanimous vote.
• Director's Report: Planning Director Smith reported on AB 130 (CEQA exemption for urban infill housing with a 60-day ministerial permit shot clock) and SB 131 (12 new CEQA provisions). The county is assessing impacts on pending projects. The Board of Supervisors recently adopted ministerial processing for up to 10-lot subdivisions in urban areas. Commissioners discussed the reduction of discretionary review and community input opportunities.

The meeting adjourned at 6:27 PM.