Penryn opposes density of proposed housing project

Residents of Penryn gathered April 3 to voice their concerns regarding a 240-unit affordable housing project proposed for the small town. The project, known as Hope Way Apartments, would feature 12 three-story buildings with a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom energy-efficient units, totaling 240 units, to serve qualified individuals and households in need of affordable housing. According to the Housing Trust Placer website, the community amenities will include two one-story clubhouse/recreation centers with recreation spaces. The 11.43-acre site is one of 13 rezoned throughout the county in 2024 to accommodate its Regional Housing Needs Allocation requirements for affordable housing units. An environmental questionnaire filed with Placer County estimates the project will generate 624 new residents in Penryn. Comments on the Penryn Chit-Chat Facebook page, however, estimate the Hope Way Apartments will "overwhelm" Penryn with 1,344. "This is a beautiful project, but it's too big for right here," Penryn resident Donna Delno told Gold Country Media the morning after the town hall, noting schools are overwhelmed and there is no grocery store in Penryn for these incoming families to shop at. Delno said the town opposes the proposed density, not the project itself. The Placer Buddhist Church was filled to standing room as the community voiced all of its concerns, which also included the fire safety, school impacts, traffic impacts and a lack of compliance with affordable housing requirement locations like proximity to public services, jobs and public transit. Delno noted the developer and Placer County officials were also in attendance. Commenters also shared their thoughts on the project on the Penryn Chit-Chat page: "This is just a bad idea," Lisa Galli wrote. "A community should not have to change in a way they do not want. Rural areas should be able to stay rural." Said Eric Frazer, "... We should not accept any high density housing in a small rural town. Shame on the owner, shame on Placer BOS (Board of Supervisors), shame on Housing Trust Placer and shame on USA Properties. Feel free to build according to area plans and standards." Added Julie Ball, "... I pray that the fire department gets the funding they will need in order to handle the influx of the population. Three stories is way too tall and the fire truck is not large enough to handle that size of building." Delno said with the turnout at the town hall, residents are hopeful the developer will listen to their concerns and revise the plan to fit in better with the surrounding community. "We feel hopeful that we're heard and people are understanding the impact," Delno said. "... Taking 20 percent of the shortfall of the county (in affordable units) is being put in the tiniest town in Placer. They think we're small and can't do anything." According to Placer County, the project is currently undergoing design and environmental reviews, and will be presented with opportunities for public comment at a county-led town hall and Placer County Planning Commission hearing once reviews are complete. "We know the community has questions and concerns, and we are here to listen as we continue our careful review of this project," Community Development Resource Agency Director Paul Hellman said. More information about the project can be found at housingtrustplacer.org/penryn.html or placer.ca.gov/10044/Hope-Way-Apartments.