The final step in this long process will be the hearing before the Board of Supervisors on February 28 for action/adoption. Call Shirlee Harrington, at 800-488-4308 for confirmation of date and time.

Earlier, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Granite Bay Community Plan Update on January 12 to consider a request from the Placer County Planning Services Division for approval of a General Plan Amendment to update the Granite Bay Community Plan. The update included the review of existing conditions (population holding capacity, infrastructure, change in environmental conditions, etc., revision of goals, policies, and programs in the Plan to address constraints and new opportunities; amending the wording of the goals and policies to provide better clarity and readability; and new discussions on topical issues that have arisen (i.e. Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Placer County Conservation Plan, Complete Streets and Low-impact Design) since the Plan was originally prepared in 1989. Primarily the Goals and Policies of the Plan were reviewed/revised to recognize population holding capacity, infrastructure, change in environmental conditions, etc. since the Plan was written in 1989.

In order to limit the scope of the Community Plan Update, the Board of Supervisors directed that the existing land use and zoning designations not be modified. In addition, the Board of Supervisors also directed that the Circulation Element not be revised since it was updated in 2005.

After input from staff and a number of community members who served on the MAC sub-committee, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the updated Plan by the Board of Supervisors.

The Granite Bay Community Plan area is generally bounded by Dick Cook Road to the north, Sierra College Boulevard to the west, Folsom Lake to the east, and the Sacramento County line to the south.

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SCI Consulting Group presented the results of the survey mailed to about 8,000 registered voters and property owners between October 30, 2011 and November 20, 2011 to accurately evaluate the viability of a benefit assessment and a parcel tax. Over twenty-two percent of the surveys were returned.

Those who received the survey were asked if they would support an additional annual fee of $65, $85 or $110 and the various levels of service each would fund were described.

The responses were broken down into a number of categories including Property Owner Support; Registered Voter Support; Rate and Age; Support by Years in Residence and Rate; Support by Political Party and Rate; and Support by Issues.

Comments in favor of an increased fee included Fire/Medial services are important; fiscal accountability is important; stated amount is reasonable to pay for these services; and received good service in the past. Adverse comments included salaries/benefits are too high; district doesn’t need the money; no more/new taxes; economic issues, mistrust of government agencies.

The study concluded that local fire protection is important to the community, but found neither a benefit assessment nor a parcel tax would likely pass. The CSI Consulting Group suggested that even a strong advocacy campaign would not achieve the support levels needed for a successful revenue measure. In particular, residents are concerned about the cost of firefighter salaries and benefits, including pensions.

The SCI Consulting Group recommended that the District not proceed with a funding measure at this time and instead conduct comprehensive, long term public outreach to increase public understanding of the need for better fire protection services. The SPFD board may take action on how to proceed at the next regular meeting which is February 15.

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IN COMING INFORMATION: The Garage Condos & Self Storage project has been put on hold. Future date still to be determined.

ORIGINALLY REPORTED ON 4/5/11: The site consists of 8.7 acres on the north side of Douglas Blvd. just east of the intersection of Auburn Folsom Rd. and Douglas Blvd, and is zoned C1 with a Use Permit and Design Control. The property was previously approved for 53 town homes and even though the tentative map for this project is still viable, the current owner has submitted a different proposal.

Phase I consists of 59 self storage garages totaling 73,975 sq. ft. on 4.27 acres for storage of autos, boats, recreational vehicles, or other personal items of owner. Four buildings would house the garages ranging from 640 to 4,000 sq. ft., and there would be a 2,780 sq. ft. two story private owners’ Club House.

Phase I consists of 59 self storage garages totaling 73,975 sq. ft. on 4.27 acres for storage of autos, boats, recreational vehicles, or other personal items of owner. Four buildings would house the garages ranging from 640 to 4,000 sq. ft., and there would be a 2,780 sq. ft. two story private owners’ Club House.

While one concession was made to the residents, the 6 foot high wall along 3,000 feet of rural Olive Ranch Road be a 3 foot open design on top of a 3 foot solid base, with pedestrian access through the gated project from sunrise to sunset, for the most part, Chairperson, Supervisor Uhler ignored his constituents and the Granite Bay Community Plan and was perceived as acting as an advocate for the proponent.

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MAC heard a proposal for a Subdivision Modification and Variance to allow vehicle entry gates and related monument walls on a project located on the east side of Cavitt Stall Road, South. The parcel, formally known as Seymour Ranch, consisting of 17 lots on 13 acres was originally approved in 2004, but was in foreclosure until recently purchased by the New Home Company.

Staff noted that the proposed design did not meet County standards and applicant had made no attempt to modify the design. MAC heard input from a large number of residents opposed to gating the development, and after discussion of the issues, voted 5-1 to deny the Subdivision Modification and Variance to allow vehicle entry gates and related monument walls.

UPDATE - The Planning Commission heard this item on July 14. The Circulation Element of the Granite Bay Community Plan clearly states that “gated subdivisions shall not be allowed unless there are significant extenuating circumstances”, and the design modifications made by applicant still didn’t meet county standards. However, the Planning Commission once again ignored MAC and the Granite Bay Community Plan and voted 4-2 in to allow more gated sub-divisions.

NOTE: The Planning Commissioner appointed by Supervisor Uhler to represent Granite Bay did not support the GBCP and voted in favor of the gates.

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County has received a 1st Submittal from Westwood Homes, Inc., based in Gold River, for a planned development on 10.3 acres east of Sierra College Blvd, south of Douglas Blvd, and north of Eureka Road. The 21 homes would be accessed from Woodgrove Way and Greyhawk Drive. The community would be age targeted for residents 50+, but not age restricted.

The site is designated Rural Residential (2.3-4.6 acre minimum) and is zoned RS-B-40 (Residential Single-Family, minimum building site of 40,000 sf.) Development would require increasing the allowable density on site to 21 residential units. Entitlements required include a rezone to RS-B-X-18,000 PD 2.8 and a variance to Zoning Code to address considerations in the density and coverage calculations. The variance allows for less than standard road deductions (12% instead of 20%) and coverage factors to allow greater open space than would typically be possible given the reduced road deduction.

The building envelopes proposed are 3,900 sq. ft. (60 X 65 feet, including garage). The typical home within the building envelope would include a living area (2,685+ sq. ft.), covered patio at rear (300+ sq. ft.), front courtyard (225+ sq. ft.) and three car garage (600+ sq. ft.). An additional 1,200+ sq. ft. garden area is planned at rear of each home which would extend from the covered patio. The garden areas are not included in the building envelopes. A majority of the residences are proposed to be one story.

For further information contact E.J. Ivaldi at Planning Services Division, 800-488-4308, ext. 3000.

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