Controlled blasts in Rocklin rained out

Controlled blasting set to begin this week in Rocklin was rained out Tuesday for the 110-unit Pacific Street Apartments affordable housing project. City officials decided Feb. 17 to postpone the explosives due to the extremely wet weather. "Work will commence once the site has dried," authorities announced online. The three-acre project is at Pacific and Pine streets. Authorities say controlled blasting is a safe, efficient method for breaking up hard ground materials that standard equipment cannot handle – like Rocklin granite. Before each controlled blast, there will be a series of warning signals for nearby residents, staff explained. The vicinity will be secured and guarded before each detonation. "While vibration and noise levels will be kept below thresholds that could cause damage, nearby residents may feel brief vibrations and hear controlled blast noise during the operation," the City of Rocklin announced Tuesday on Facebook. The Pacific Street Apartments project is part of Rocklin's long-term effort to invest in both housing and the downtown area, creating a vibrant, welcoming destination for residents and visitors. The city bought the combined 2.9-acre property in 2019 to develop into affordable housing required by the state. The close proximity to parking, train station and nearby amenities made it an ideal location for working family housing while strengthening the downtown core, officials said. The city invited affordable housing proposals. As required by the state surplus land act, the city must select a plan with the highest number of housing units. Community Housing Works was selected with the 110-unit plan. The project is specifically bounded by Pacific Street, Pine Street, Railroad Avenue and Oak Street. As proposed, the plan includes 50 one-bedroom, 30 two-bedroom and 30 three-bedroom apartments across four three-story buildings, staff said. Roughly two acres will be used for the residential development, and the remaining acre or so will be improved for parking, according to the report. "Pacific Street Apartments is designed to serve working-class families in Rocklin," officials announced online. "This development is not transitional housing and not a homeless shelter." Staff explained the area median income for a family of four in Placer County is about $120,000. "About half of the apartments will be affordable to families earning around $72,000 per year, incomes that reflect many everyday professions in the Rocklin community," the city announced online. For examples, residents could include a single parent with three children working as a dispatcher or a family with one parent employed as a nursing assistant and the other as a childcare worker. 2024 US Census data shows 27 percent of Rocklin households earn under $75,000 a year and could qualify to live there. The "fully affordable" project will serve a range of levels from "extremely low income" (30 percent AMI) to "very low income" (60 percent AMI), according to the application. The Pacific Street plan is one component of a broader city effort to revitalize Pacific Street and downtown Rocklin. Another nearby city-owned parcel at Quarry Park is being developed into a public market. The city has also made steady investments the past several years to transform Pacific into a destination, staff explained. Events like the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce Hot Chili & Cool Cars, Evenings in the Park and the summer concert series continue to draw. While CHW will lease the property, the city retains ownership of the land. The city put in safeguards to ensure the development is appropriately managed over time and remains consistent with community expectations. Authorities said questions about the blasting should be directed to city contractor Neil's Controlled Blasting at 916-633-2500.