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Commissioners continue tentative parcel map for 6941 Sylvan Road after veterans express parking, safety concerns
Summary
The Citrus Heights Planning Commission continued consideration of a tentative parcel map at 6941 Sylvan Road after representatives of the Veterans Community Center and residents raised concerns that development next door could eliminate parking and pose safety risks for elderly attendees. Staff said the map is limited to a lot split and that access and mitigation can be revisited with the applicant.
The Citrus Heights Planning Commission voted to continue consideration of a tentative parcel map for 6941 Sylvan Road after public commenters, including veterans and the Veterans Community Center CEO, warned that redevelopment could remove parking the center relies on and create unsafe crossing conditions for elderly visitors.
Associate Planner Stephanie Louie presented the application as a parcel map to split a 0.42-acre site into two RD-20 lots. Louie told the commission the map is for subdivision only — "these are conceptual only and are not part of this application or review" — and staff concluded the map meets zoning and general plan standards and qualifies as a categorical CEQA exemption for a minor land division absent unique environmental resources.
During public comment, a resident who identified himself in the record as Paul described escorting elderly Veterans to and from the center and said parking and safe crossings on Auburn Boulevard are pressing safety concerns. "If there could be any kind of something worked out with a new owner for some extra parking for us … I'd be greatly appreciated," he said. Gino Bartuco, speaking on behalf of the Veterans Community Center, and Michelle Grant, the center's CEO, described frequent ambulance and fire traffic on Sylvan Road and presented a petition from District 6 residents asking the city and owner to consider alternative plans or allow the center an opportunity to secure needed parking.
Commissioners pressed staff on what the commission could require. Planning staff and the city's case manager (Casey) explained the commission's legal purview is limited to whether the parcel map meets the zoning code and general plan findings; private property agreements such as sale or negotiated parking are not within the commission's authority. Staff noted engineering and utility reviews — including any SMUD coordination and fire turnaround requirements — typically occur at the building permit stage, and those reviews could require changes to access when development is proposed.
To allow time for more discussion among property owners, the applicant and the Veterans Community Center and to further evaluate access and compatibility concerns, Commissioner Al Raoui moved to continue the item; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said they will attempt to work with the applicant and the veterans group and return the item to the commission at a later meeting.
The commission chair read the appeal procedures and filing fee information for anyone wishing to appeal a future determination. The record and comments submitted for the hearing will remain available through the city's planning files.
