Planning Commission approves design review for Folsom Heights

City officials moved forward last month with a 295-unit housing project in upper Folsom Ranch near the El Dorado County line. The Folsom Planning Commission unanimously approved a design review Jan. 21 for the single-family residences planned for Villages 1 through 6 of the Folsom Heights neighborhood south of Highway 50. The Elliott Homes project is located on the east side of Empire Ranch Road. The site has single-family and single-family high-density zoning. The land is in the northeast corner of Folsom Ranch and covers six parcels totaling 77.4 acres. About 35 acres are zoned single-family and 42 acres are single family/high-density, staff explained. The area is surrounded by the undeveloped Veranda at Folsom Heights and the Villages 8 and 9 projects to the west, Russell Ranch south, commercial and open space north, and El Dorado County east. The 55-foot lots include four plans ranging from a single-story, 1,817 square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath house to a two-story, 2,892-square-foot, four-bed, 3.5-bath home. All houses on 55-foot lots contain two-car garages. The 65-foot lots have four plans ranging from a single-story 2,264 square-foot, three-bed, 2.5-bath home to a two-story, 3,557 square-foot, five-bed, 3.5-bath house. All houses on the 65-foot lots contain three-car garages. The largest 65-foot plan contains a "multi-generational suite," also known as an accessory dwelling unit. The project includes eight master plans with four architectural styles – Spanish Eclectic, Prairie, Craftsman and Santa Barbara, according to the report. Commissioner Amanda Ross voiced concern over the use of synthetic turf over organic landscaping in the project. "I'm not too happy with the turf. ... I think it would look nicer if it was all landscaped with plants," said Ross, who otherwise voted in favor. The Folsom Ranch specific plan covers more than 3,500 acres of undeveloped land south of Highway 50, north of White Rock Road, east of Prairie City Road and adjacent to the El Dorado County line in the southeastern area of the city.