RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Ranch, a development area south of Douglas Boulevard, has encountered a slight bump in the road. Namely, Chrysanthy Boulevard, the to-be constructed four-lane road that will run through it.

Originally envisioned to be fully built prior to the development’s first occupants, the builder K. Hovnanian© Homes decided it necessary to now construct Chrysanthy in a series of phases over the course of several years. As discussed in the Tuesday February 16 Council meeting, Councilmember Linda Budge worried about the lack of a “complete street to serve the people that are going to live there. Or, as she put it, having “dragon’s teeth,” referring to some unfinished city streets that alternate concrete, dirt, and sidewalk.

Olga Shlorelli of K. Hovnanian© Homes stated that some parts of Chrysanthy would indeed be full sections of road but at some areas only half sections too. She attributed this need to amend the original plan to cash flow problems and a lack of development partners. The exact time line of when the road will extend fully and completely across the Ranch is unknowable. Essentially, completion of the road will continue in step with the additional homes built with each concurrent phase.

Although construction of the Ranch is differing in conception, Shlorelli felt it best to proceed to increase the number of families, and accordingly children, which would aid in bringing a new high school to Rancho Cordova.

The ordinance is coming for a second reading at the next regular City Council meeting where approval is likely. Besides homes, the Ranch (its full name) will include parks, a commercial center, access to trails and more.

The Council also continued to look at the proposed expansion of the Royal C Store on Mather Field Road. Owner Sunmeet Ghuman wants to convert his current Tobacco business into a full-fledged convenience store. After the Council previously expressed great unease over desired alcohol sales, Ghuman withdrew his application for the required permits but continued to press on with the expansion.

While stating the large community support and past testimony on Ghuman’s positive business practices, Councilmember Linda Budge still had concerns regarding signage, covered windows and the use of a metal front grill door that made the establishment, in her words, look like something that “needs an armed guard.” However, Ghuman said he was agreeable to all the suggestions, and the Administrative Use Permit needed for the store expansion was approved.

Vice Mayor Donald Terry placed the Royal C Store in the larger context of city economic development hoping to give grants and favorable financing to other tobacco and liquor stores thus incentivizing businesses moving on from “vice products” to “serve the community”.

Earlier during the Council meeting, the vice mayor’s birthday was celebrated with a Zoom style rendition of “Happy Birthday’. During the Council Reports from each member, Terry provided information about his recent meetings for the California Air District and that designated days for wood burning were currently set, the Lower American River Conservancy concerning funds and the National League of Cities, and his work with local junior colleges. He also highlighted his upcoming involvement with the Cap-to-Cap Steering Committee in conjunction with city lobbyist Jen Covino on homelessness and affordable housing.

Councilmember David Sander reported on a “lively” Cal City Board meeting he took part in with Governor Gavin Newsom where attendees pressed Newsom on issues concerning Covid-19, affordable housing, homelessness and the remaining closure of schools. Sander said the Governor remarked he was personally committed to elementary schools opening again, but that laid in hands other than his to which Sander attributed to local school districts and teachers unions.

Another memorable recent meeting for Sander was for the National League of Cities with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. He rated the positive call as an experience not like anything he’d experienced in his nearly 20 years of leadership due to the new secretary’s desire to fund at the city level as opposed to the state.

Mayor Garret Gatewood talked with new Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln who expressed admiration for many of Rancho Cordova’s programs hoping to install them in his own city. Gatewood also spoke with representatives of Sutter Health who he said “were interested in putting little medical facilities” in the city. He even mentioned there were “whispers” of a possible hospital.

Referred to as a “pet project” by both the Mayor and herself, Councilmember Suri Pulipati discussed the building of a Technology Council and the specific desire to aid women in the technology field providing a “support structure” to balance both work and life.

She also met with Lorianne Ulm of the Community Engagement division and discussed the program’s focus on utilizing the strengths of a community to better Rancho Cordova neighborhoods.

The Japanese Beetle, on the other hand, will find a much less positive end, according to City Manager Cyrus Abhar as it’s been found in areas of the city (Stone Creek and Mather field) and due to its reputation as an invasive pest (both agriculturally and horticulturally) will be eradicated. Several hundred residents have been affected.

City Manager Abhar also addressed an earlier concern by Councilmember Sander who stated Rancho Cordova’s designation as a low opportunity zone could make the acquiring of affordable housing grants tough. The City Manager underlined that wasn’t the only criteria the California Housing Agency uses to allocate funding and that opportunity was strong.  He closed his report by mentioning the Measure H/Community Enhancement Fund Application Process was kicking off as well.

Councilmember Linda Budge reminded the Council about the February 25 2021 Business Outlook and Economic Forecast event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

She also brought up the availability of learning kits from the Children’s Museum and the Sacramento History Museum noting their cache as a way “to expand your kids’ access to knowledge in a very fun way.”

On a more solemn note, Budge asked if the night’s meeting could adjourn in the memory of recently passed Ed Sarmento, a former County of Sacramento Chief Building Manager, Ken Noack, Sr. an insurance broker and Russ Knauer who converted the Libby Olive Cannery into today’s Nimbus Winery Shopping Mall.