By Mike Hazlip—
A public hearing will be held by the Citrus Heights Planning Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 20, prior to commissioners voting on whether to forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan and associated documents.
Adopting the Sunrise Tomorrow specific plan would be the next milestone in a long drive to guide redevelopment of the aging Sunrise Mall property. The City Council initiated the drafting of a specific plan for the mall in 2019.
See Oct. 20 agenda packet: click here
The city has held several public comment workshops since that time, and public interest in the project has been high, according to previous reports by The Sentinel.
If adopted, the plan would open up the current Sunrise Mall site to a mix of residential housing, office space, hotel, and retail use. The nearly 100-acre site is currently zoned general commercial, but is proposed to undergo significant re-zoning.
Wednesday’s public hearing will be held remotely, with members of the public able to comment live via Zoom, or by submitting public comment via email in advance. Emailed comments of up to 250 words can be sent to planning@citrusheights.net. (See Zoom link)
The Citrus Heights Planning Department’s official recommendation is for the commission to approve the plan, as shown in the agenda packet. The recommendation is based on the plan’s consistency with previously approved concepts as well as a thorough environmental impact report.
Related: What about traffic, parking if Sunrise Mall is redeveloped?
The specific plan aims to establish five “Big Picture” ideas for the site such as creating a community and regional destination, connected green spaces, streets for people, livable neighborhoods, and an economic engine.
Development standards in the plan include requirements such as building heights and setbacks. Allowed uses are also outlined in the plan for each area within the site. Several new signal lights are also included.
The plan includes relocating the Regional Transit station currently located at Greenback Lane and Arcadia Drive to Sunrise Boulevard. The move would add a public transportation station at the entrance of the site. The move aims to encourage use of public transit.
The plan would transform the existing mall footprint into an outdoor shopping and dining area inspired by the Fountains in Roseville and Folsom’s Palladio mall, which have been popular comparisons mentioned in discussions about Sunrise Mall’s future. The design also features significant green space and walking paths that would be incorporated in the overall plan.
Majority owner Namdar Realty Group has said they support the redevelopment, although news reports show the company does not have a history of reinvesting in other aging regional malls in their portfolio.
The plan for developing the overall concept is a four-phase, 20-year plan, with phase one developing existing parking areas on the perimeter of the site.
To learn more about the plan for Sunrise Mall, see story: City releases 289-page draft plan to transform Sunrise Mall
By Mike Hazlip—
A public hearing will be held by the Planning Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 20, prior to commissioners voting on whether to forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan and associated documents.
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