Commission recommends approval of 10‑lot Filbert Avenue subdivision despite CPAC opposition

The Sacramento County Planning Commission on Nov. 3 recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a 10‑lot subdivision at 6702 Filbert Avenue (PLMP2024‑00081) after a contested hearing in which community members raised drainage, tree‑fall, burning and service‑level concerns.

County staff presented the proposal to amend the Orangevale community plan and rezone a 10‑acre parcel from Agricultural‑Residential 2 (one home per two acres) to Agricultural‑Residential 1 (one home per acre), and to create ten roughly one‑acre lots. The entitlements included a tentative subdivision map, a special development permit to allow more lots served by a private drive than normally allowed in AR‑1, an exception to Sacramento County Code section 22.24.063 (to allow water service by the Orangevale Water Company, a mutual water company), and design review. Staff concluded the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidance Section 15183(a) and Public Resources Code Section 21083.3 and recommended approval with findings and conditions.

Christian Baltazar (associate planner) told the commission that the project was reviewed by the Design Review Advisory Committee, which recommended substantial compliance with design guidelines, while the Orangevale Community Planning Advisory Council met on Oct. 1 and unanimously recommended denying the entitlements. Staff reported 17 public speakers at CPAC (3 in support, 14 opposed); CPAC’s objections centered on changing density from 1 home per 2 acres to 1 home per acre and concerns that the net buildable area per lot is reduced by required setbacks, drainage basins and street improvements.

Several neighbors spoke at the commission hearing. Tracy Stork read written comments from her father and said the rezoning would double development potential and could further strain law enforcement, fire protection and schools; she urged the commission to allow the parcel to develop at the AR‑2 density. Carol Shoemaker, who has lived across Filbert Avenue for 51 years, described repeated drainage problems, alleged unauthorized burning of tree debris on the site, and said past dumping of soil and tree waste had altered drainage patterns toward Filbert Avenue. The applicant and project engineer responded that they hold required permits for debris burning, that a drainage study and mitigation designs are in the project record and that water and sewer agencies provided will‑serve letters.

Commissioners discussed trip generation and thresholds used by DOT; DOT estimated approximately 121 daily trips (9 AM peak, 11 PM peak) for the proposed 10‑lot subdivision, which is below the county threshold that triggers a full traffic study. Commissioners also asked whether accessory dwelling units would be allowed in the future (these would be allowed by right on individual lots under state/local rules). After deliberation Commissioner Devlin moved to forward staff’s recommendation to the Board of Supervisors and the motion passed with all members voting yes.