Board approves conversion of vacant Ingle Road office to 16 market‑rate units despite neighborhood objections
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Summary
After hearings and public comment, the Board approved a use permit, special development permit and variance to convert a vacant office building at 4748 Ingle Road into 16 one‑bedroom units. Planning staff cited a CEQA infill exemption; the planning commission failed to reach a recommendation and the Carmichael CPAC expressed neighborhood concerns.
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a use permit, special development permit and variance authorizing the conversion of a vacant office building at 4748 Ingle Road into 16 one‑bedroom market‑rate apartments.
Planning staff recommended approval, concluding the project is statutorily exempt from CEQA under Public Resources Code section 21159.25 (infill exemption) because it reuses an existing building and does not expand building footprint. Kimber Gutierrez, principal planner, described site changes including reconfigured parking, patios and balconies, and enhanced landscaping while noting Sacramento Metro Fire required an access pathway and would not permit carport fire‑access configurations.
The project had a mixed advisory record. The Design Review Advisory Committee found the conversion substantially complied with design guidelines; the Carmichael Old Foothill Farms CPAC recommended approval but noted neighborhood concerns; the Planning Commission did not reach a favorable recommendation due to concerns about noise, traffic, compatibility, structural safety and access.
Public speakers included a neighbor who cited engineering and fire‑apparatus access concerns and a CPAC member who said a large group of nearby residents opposed the design, parking and the building’s fit with the Mission Oaks neighborhood preservation area. The applicant, Joseph Kumar of Onyx Investment Group, said the company is pursuing several office‑to‑housing conversions in the county and noted the site has been largely vacant.
Planning staff said conditions of approval require work on cross‑access easements if neighboring property purchases or access agreements are reached and require the applicant to add the pathway and fire‑access elements requested by Sacramento Metro Fire; staff also included a condition allowing future carports only after a confirmed cross‑access easement and fire approval.
Supervisor Desmond, who moved approval, said the existing vacant building offered a better alternative to continued vacancy and blight and that conversion to housing on an in‑fill site can revitalize an area when done with appropriate fire and design conditions. The Board voted unanimously to approve the approvals.
Speakers (first reference): - Kimber Gutierrez, principal planner, Planning & Environmental Review (first referenced 00:58:50). - Joseph Kumar, applicant, Onyx Investment Group (first referenced 02:16:31). - Amber Villegas, public commenter (first referenced 02:12:20). - Catherine Cook, president, Mission Oaks North Neighborhood Association (first referenced 02:13:40).
Authorities: - Public Resources Code section 21159.25 (infill exemption) — project staff cited this CEQA authority for a statutory exemption.
Actions (at meeting): - Approve: Use permit, special development permit, development plan review and design compliance; adopt findings and conditions; CEQA: exempt pursuant to PRC §21159.25 (motion/second; vote: unanimous).
