RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) – The January 10th Rancho Cordova Planning meeting produced detailed graphics for single family residential housing in what was once thought to become a park or school lot, found a subdivision exempt from CEQA, and allowed Elk Grove United School District to acquire a large lot for a future school on the Grantline 2008 school site, all of which raised negative comments. The Planning Commissioners explained that resolutions were needed to move the projects on to Council though many in the public were concerned over the planned development as being other than what they preferred.

The Riverblossom / Wildblossom / Starblossom at Montelena Major Design Review and Special Development Permit (CEQA Exemption 15182 - Projects Pursuant to a Specific Plan) were completed and approved unanimously, exempting it from the California Environmental Quality Act after Commissioners. The public questioned Planner on various exterior details. An especial issue was that on the video presentation the housing exterior paint colors did not represent true, and much questioning was had on effects of setbacks and as to some lots having only 10’ backyards.

The Sunridge Park III - Tentative Subdivision Map and General Plan Amendment (CEQA Exempt Pursuant to Section 15183 Projects Consistent with the Community Plan, General Plan or Zoning) located at the Southwest Corner of Canyonlands Drive and Timberland Drive was recommended to the City Council for the Council to approve the subdivision map and general plan amendment, which it did 5:1.

Roberta Longman, a Sunridge Park resident, thought the land ought to be used as a park or greenbelt. “We have developments all around. What we need are parks; they add to the character and quality of a community.  This (site) is easy to develop because it is flat. I oppose it be developed into any additional residences,” Longman said. Jerry Garcia spoke to bussing being everywhere, saying “We need to preserve this land as public or quasi-public.”

Brian Vail, an original manager for the land said he “tried every way to get the property to the school district for 18 years but couldn’t.” So, he said, he went back to original approval for the site in 2006. Commissioner Robert McGarvey thanked Vail for his long work on the property.

Regarding the Acquisition of Grantline 208 Elementary School Site by Elk Grove Unified School District, Staff recommended a report be made on it with a letter to the EGUSD on this large site upon which a school is planned to be built sometime in the future noting a mix of residential housing and parks there.

Lee Terry, a public speaker, voiced that he was quite irritated that EGUSD was doing this to their children, taking more land but unlikely to be building on it soon, with all the bussing going on. Commissioners encouraged the public to take their views to other departments and to the Council and tell them their thoughts on preferred use for this site. James Garcia advised the Planning Dept. to “approve as many sites as you possibly can, because it takes so long for schools to be built.”

Chairman Cynthia Stauss thanked everyone for their help on this the first day of her chairmanship.