RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Developer Elliot Homes came before the City Council on October 18 with a plan to bring a Sprouts, apartments and single-family homes to the Zinfandel Drive parcel between Bear Hollow and Spoto Drives. Although neighboring residents and councilmembers had some concerns, the proposal was lauded by the Council and will eventually be built in stone"'Stone Creek Village to be specific.

The 25.12-acre Retail Center/Mixed Community will include the aforementioned Sprouts grocery store (known for their natural food offerings), retail shops, a gas station, a 151-unit apartment community and a 128 single family homes Elliot Homes stated, they were “happy to provide” to the city and proud of the project.

But a few residents who attended the Council meeting and live adjacent to the site expressed concerns about privacy, traffic and speeding, noise levels, child safety and how the property value of their homes would be affected. Worrying about those in the new apartments looming over his home and “looking down into our backyard”, one resident stated he’d purchased his home - an Elliot home - expecting a certain “cushion of privacy” would be maintained.

This gentleman and his neighbors’ fears were addressed by the developer and city staff point by point and largely accepted"'at least by the Council. “This is a great opportunity for Rancho Cordova,” said Councilmember Sander who called the project a long overdue one. “Can’t wait to see it off the ground.”

Members Linda Budge and David Sander did have connectivity and traffic questions. Councilmember Budge, a former Stone Creek resident, brought up the need for a signal light at Baroque Drive. Her words led to the Council approving Elliot Homes to go forward on the project, as long as, thorough discussion about the signal would be conducted. For their part, Elliot Homes expressed they were very amenable to doing so as did city staff.

A topic from the past rose up again next"'the look of a proposed cellular tower between Grocery Outlet and Target on Folsom Drive. After a series of color and graphic changes over the past months, the Council appeared to be happy with the latest iteration. Now the debate focused on the possible lighting of the tower at night. While staff and the developer had previously mentioned the difficulty in adequately lighting such a structure along with other concerns, Mayor Garret Gatewood was adamant that his desire for a “placemaker” include illumination of some kind.

Thus, discussion ended with the applicant directed to work with city staff on a collaborative solution. Councilmember Sander acknowledged the Council should have been shown more clarity in what their desires for the project as a whole were.

Next, City Manager Cyrus Abhar and Senior Management Analyst Meghan Siren gave an update on the progress of The Rancho Cordova Youth Center introducing representatives from the Boys and Girls Club and the Police Activities League who are working together on the Operations Plan. The former will be the main operator and administrator in conjunction with PAL. The Council were shown day schedules, map of facilities, partnerships including Nike and local organizations, special programs and more. The Center has already begun construction and will open in 2022.

During Council Reports, Councilmember Suri Pulipati mentioned the large number of residents she had met in the past weeks due to the proliferation of outdoor activities, one of which was the Good Neighbor event at White Rock Park. Councilmember Sander proudly reported on the city securing hosting rights to three upcoming USA Track and Field events which would be both a boon financially and prestigiously. Councilmember Budge and Mayor Gatewood spoke about their admiration for the newly completed Mather Veterans Village. City Manager Abhar announced the hiring of new police chief Brandon Luke.

During public comment, the Council heard from residents concerned with making Coloma Road safer, Robert Sanger of Folsom Cordova Community Partnership reporting on the success of their COVID testing site and a couple frustrated with rising mobile home rent costs.

At the beginning of the night, Neighborhood Services Russ Ducharme introduced new Probation Officer Christina Sanchez and provided an update on the Probation Partnership with Sacramento County Probation. Mayor Gatewood presented a Presentation of Proclamation to representatives from the Children’s Choice for Hearing and Talking Center for 25 years of service and recognizing National Audiology Awareness Month.

The Mayor’s service and birthday were also recognized by the Council in customary song although by the reaction from the Council themselves it was apparent none were planning on quitting their day jobs.