Proposed Penryn housing project halted at Placer Planning Commission

Following a nine-hour meeting on Oct. 16, a 240-unit affordable housing project slated for Penryn was halted at the Placer County Planning Commission. Hope Way Apartments are proposed as 12 three-story buildings with a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom energy-efficient units, to serve qualified individuals and households in need of affordable housing. The project would include two manager units, two play structures and two clubhouses/recreation centers on the 11.43-acre site as well. Kally Kedinger-Cecil, supervising planner for Placer County, noted the key conditions of the project's approval, which is anticipated to draw in an additional 792 residents to Penryn, include roundabout construction requirements, obtaining an encroachment permit from Caltrans and the applicant, Roseville-based USA Properties Fund, Inc., providing an annual account of occupied and vacant units to the county. Milo Terzich, vice president of Development Entitlements for the applicant, confirmed USA Properties would operate and manage the property with all potential residents being required to meet a list of criteria which includes an annual recertification process. Examples of professions that would qualify as residents include certified nursing assistants at Sutter or Kaiser, veterinarian technicians at the Loomis Basin Equine Center, Loomis Union School District teachers and Placer County Water Agency mechanics. Terzich also advised life skills training and educational programs that aim to emphasize wellness and advance socioeconomic status are also provided to residents for free. The commission received 43 comments with a majority asking for the project to be halted due to concerns including anticipated impacts to already at-capacity schools and threats to public safety due to added traffic congestion and lack of fire safety and evacuation planning. Commenters also noted they understood the need for affordable housing in the county, but a project of this magnitude was not right for the Penryn community. Before the commission began deliberations, Placer County Counsel Clayton Cook confirmed factual evidence would be needed in the event of denial of the requested density bonus and design review agreement. Cook advised potential penalties for an unsupported denial could include Placer's approved housing element being at risk, fines up to $50,000 per unit and lawsuit exposure from the applicant and state attorney general. The commission then engaged in a lengthy discussion noting potential area impacts, the need for affordable housing in the county and whether there was definitive impact to public health and safety in the event of denial. "I just want to make sure that it's clear: I don't think there's anybody here on this panel, I don't think there's anybody here in this room that is against low-income housing. Absolutely not," Commissioner Trent Jewell stated. "We need it. There are populations in our own communities that need it. I believe the thing that we are struggling with is the massive amount in one single location …" The commission's initial vote on the design review resulted in a tie. Cook confirmed under the commission rules, a tie means the motion failed and suggested the commission engage in further discussion or vote on the project's nine development concessions and waivers separately. The commission voted on each waiver separately, with all passing except the eighth due to another tied vote. The eighth concession requested a deviation from the Horseshoe Bar/Penryn Community Plan for the level of service at the Penryn Road/Interstate 80 westbound ramp at Boyington Road during peak traffic hours. Cook summarized the commission's issues with the eighth concession as an increase to emergency response times, traffic safety issues due to an increase in traffic and the inhibition of the ability to evaluate safely in an emergency. Following further discussion, the commission again voted on the design review agreement, with the motion failing in a 3-2 vote. Commissioner Mark Watts abstained. After the vote, Commissioner Robyn Dahlgren noted the commission's decision may be appealed within 10 days of the Oct. 16 hearing date. Although the commission's vote resulted in a delay to the project, Placer Citizens for Neighborhood Rights noted the "battle is not over," as the developer will likely appeal to the Board of Supervisors. The advocate group is now fundraising for $25,000 to go toward expert consultants and legal costs. More information can be found at preservepenryn.org.