Council approves memorandum of agreement for Fire Station 61 replacement

The Rancho Cordova City Council voted unanimously on March 16 to authorize the city manager to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District to move forward with planning and a land exchange for a replacement Fire Station 61 on Folsom Boulevard.

Stefan Heisler, the city’s housing manager, described the proposal as a partnership with Metro Fire that would allow design and entitlement work to proceed and create a roughly 1.8-acre corner parcel for future city redevelopment. Heisler said the city’s share of entitlement costs is “not expected to exceed $53,000.” The project would require a general‑plan amendment, a Folsom Boulevard specific-plan amendment, a tentative parcel map and CEQA review before Metro Fire begins final design.

Councilmembers discussed preserving the site’s local history and designing the replacement station to support redevelopment along Folsom Boulevard. One councilmember urged that the conceptual plan allow space to display the historic Mills 1 fire truck; another suggested exploring an urban, mixed-use approach that could include senior housing above or adjacent to a fire station to support densification goals.

After discussion, a councilmember moved to approve the staff recommendation to adopt the resolution authorizing the MOA; another councilmember seconded the motion. Roll call votes recorded by the clerk listed Councilmembers Pulapati, Little, Sander, Vice Mayor Budge and Mayor Gatewood as voting yes; the motion passed.

With the MOA approved, staff will begin entitlement work and CEQA review this spring; Metro Fire plans to complete design after CEQA and begin construction following the design phase, with construction anticipated to follow in 2027. Council members emphasized continued oversight of design details as the project progresses.