Planning Commission approves 10‑lot Filbert Avenue rezone and subdivision in Orangevale

The Sacramento County Planning Commission on Nov. 3 voted to recommend approval of a rezone and 10‑lot subdivision at 6702 Filbert Avenue in the Orangevale community.

Staff planner Christian Baltazar said the 10‑acre site, formerly an orchard, currently carried an AR‑2 (one home per two acres) land‑use designation and zoning. The applicant requested an AR‑1 designation and zoning (one home per acre) and a tentative subdivision map to create ten residential lots. The proposal also included a special development permit to allow nine lots to be served by a private drive (where AR‑1 allows up to four lots on a private drive), an exception to County Code section 22.24.063 to allow the Orangevale Water Company (a mutual water company) to serve the project, and design review. The environmental determination was a notice of exemption.

Baltazar told the commission DRAC recommended the project be found in substantial compliance with county design guidelines; the Orangevale CPAC heard the project on Oct. 1, 2024, and after hearing 17 members of the public recommended denial to the Board of Supervisors, primarily because CPAC members and many commenters objected to changing the zoning from AR‑2 to AR‑1. Staff concluded the project, as conditioned, is consistent with the general plan, the community plan and zoning code and recommended approval with conditions.

Applicant Michael Bauer (representing owner Mikhail Kolodich) described the site’s orchard history and said the proposal “keeps the semi‑rural character of Orangevale intact while bringing a long‑standing piece of land back into responsible use.” He said the project would provide one‑acre home sites and that required grading, drainage and utility work had been reviewed; he also noted the project team obtained a will‑serve letter from the Orangevale Water Company indicating capacity to serve the new lots.

Neighbors who testified expressed opposition, citing concerns about increased traffic, flooding and drainage, tree waste and night burning, potential loss of rural character and the possibility that accessory dwelling units could increase effective density on 1‑acre lots. The applicant’s engineer, Javed Sidiki of JTS Engineering, said a drainage study had been prepared and that mitigation measures in the drainage study address on‑site runoff.

Commissioner Devlin moved approval, noting the project adds low‑density housing consistent with nearby 1‑acre lots in portions of the area; Commissioner Borjas seconded. The commission approved the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors with all members voting yes.

Staff will forward the project for final action by the Board of Supervisors; conditions include standard grading, drainage and design requirements and mitigation monitoring where required.