Planning Commission approves Rocky Ridge Apartments despite neighbors' concerns about trees, traffic and parking

The Roseville Planning Commission on May 8 approved the Rocky Ridge Apartments project at 1995 Rocky Ridge Drive, adopting a mitigated negative declaration, a design review permit and a tree permit for an 18-unit multifamily building on a 1.23-acre parcel.

Staff said the project, proposed on the northeast corner of South Kirby Way and Rocky Ridge Drive beside Linda Creek, is consistent with the city zoning designation (R-3, multifamily) and the general plan. The developer will use the city’s density bonus provisions: the site’s base allowable density is 12 units and, by providing two on-site very low-income units, the applicant may build 50% more units (six additional units) for a total of 18. Staff said a condition of approval requires the developer to enter into an affordable housing agreement with the city that will lock the two very-low-income units for 55 years.

The proposed development is a two-story, roughly 17,000-square-foot building with off-street parking, landscaping and lighting. Staff reported the building height is about 30 feet at the roof peak. The project as presented provides 27 parking spaces under the Roseville Municipal Code (staff said state law would require 26) and includes landscape shading that exceeds the city’s 50% parking-lot-shade standard. The site plan calls for two driveways—one on Rocky Ridge Drive and one on South Kirby Way—and staff added site-specific traffic conditions to address access and safety.

Why this matters: neighbors…