Roseville City Council approves amendments for Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant project

The Placer County Board of Supervisors meeting on December 17, 2024, focused on a significant development project near the Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project seeks to amend the general plan to adjust minimum public facility buffer zone standards, which would allow for reduced buffer widths for residential developments near the plant, provided they meet county and city requirements. This change aims to mitigate nuisances such as odor and noise.

The city of Roseville has supported this amendment, suggesting that properties adjacent to the treatment plant construct a six-foot masonry wall and retain existing vegetation to minimize visual impacts. Additionally, the project proposes changing the land use designation from rural low-density residential to medium-density residential, reflecting ongoing development trends in the Dry Creek area.

An environmental review process was conducted, culminating in a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) released on July 12, 2024. The report received 17 verbal comments and 46 written comments during its public review period. The final EIR, published on October 8, 2024, identified four significant and unavoidable impacts, including changes to aesthetics and the conversion of prime farmland to developed land. Mitigation measures will be implemented, including landscaping and lighting plans that comply with the International Dark Sky Association standards.

The project is projected to have a lower vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita than the county average, making it eligible for screening under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines. The VMT for the proposed project is estimated at 17.98, significantly below the county's average of 30.73.

Overall, the project aligns with the Placer County Conservation Program and the County Aquatic Resources Program, ensuring compliance with habitat conservation and water resource regulations. The Board's discussions indicate a commitment to balancing development with environmental stewardship in the region.