Loomis planning commission unanimously approves Sierra Foothills Academy expansion with new parking and enrollment limits

The Loomis Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve Resolution 25-02 modifying the conditional use permit and design review for Sierra Foothills Academy, allowing modular classroom and restroom additions and increasing on-site parking while placing new limits on enrollment and on-site staff.

The change responds to the academy's operation as a special-needs K–12 school, officials said, and includes a two-phase plan that adds classroom space intended for students who need quieter, supervised areas for decompression and therapy. Supporters said the project will reduce on-street parking along King Road near Loomis Grammar School and improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Planning staff described the proposal as a phased modular expansion. Phase 1 would add two 960-square-foot modular classrooms and a 480-square-foot modular restroom, with one of the classrooms designated as a "cool-down" room for students needing a quiet space. Phase 1 calls for increasing parking to a total of 66 new stalls in the area of the site plan presented, and includes an emergency-vehicle access route reviewed by the South Placer Fire District. Phase 2 would add two additional modular units of about 1,440 square feet each for classrooms, an office and a therapy room, and proposes nine more parking stalls. Overall the project increases on-site parking from 30 existing stalls to 75 total stalls, the presentation said.

Under the approved modification, the conditional use permit will limit enrollment to 82 students and staff to 63, and caps the total number of persons allowed on site at 145, replacing the older permit's figure of 160 students and a larger on-site person count. Planning staff said Sierra Foothills Academy previously operated under a 2009 conditional use permit issued to Sierra Christian Academy; the modification updates permitted uses to reflect the academy's current special-needs program and staffing levels.

The commission heard one letter of support from the principal of Loomis Grammar School, which the staff presentation read into the record. Multiple commissioners praised the project's safety and community benefits; members of the public who spoke at the hearing also expressed support and said they hoped the increase in parking would reduce vehicles parked along King Road during school hours.

Hoyt Phong, a consultant for Sierra Foothills Academy, told the commission the applicant accepts the conditions of approval. Planning staff said the project will replace an existing chain-link fence along King Road with a consistent open metal fence and add landscape mitigation for two trees to be removed; the plan proposes seven 15-gallon valley oaks as replacement planting.

Commissioners asked about the timing of phases; the applicant said Phase 1 is intended to begin immediately and Phase 2 will proceed as enrollment and finances dictate. Staff said the gated emergency access to Shelter Cove Drive would remain closed except during emergencies. Several commissioners noted that removing on-street parking used by academy staff should improve visibility and safety near Loomis Grammar School.

Motion and vote: A motion to adopt Resolution 25-02 approving the conditional use permit modification and design review (findings in Exhibit A, conditions in Exhibit B, plans in Exhibit C) was made and seconded; the commission voted aye (Commissioners DePillo, Kelly, DeMartini, Wilson and Chairman Onderko), 5-0. The resolution passed.

Next steps: With the commission's approval, the applicant may proceed with permit processing and building permits subject to the conditions of approval and any required inspections or agency clearances, including review by the South Placer Fire District on access. Staff noted notification and conditions are documented in the exhibits attached to the resolution.