By Phillip Pesola–
The Citrus Heights City Council on Thursday will consider a plan to sell three vacant, city-owned lots on Sayonara Drive to the water district.
A city council staff report indicates that the Citrus Heights Water District recently approached city staff regarding a proposal to buy three parcels of land for the purpose of installing a groundwater well. The council is expected to either approve or deny this plan on Thursday, July 14.
The water district would like to use these sites, which add up to just over a half acre, to expand their water infrastructure and provide for the water needs of residents.
The proposal comes as the State of California reports the state is now in its second extreme drought in 10 years. The first three months of 2022 saw the lowest recorded amounts of rain and snow for each month, and a drought emergency proclamation is in effect for every county.
There are a total of 13 parcels of land owned by the city along Sayonara Drive, directly west of Sunrise Boulevard. Once described as the most dangerous street in the city, Sayonara Drive has two rows of vacant lots after the city purchased blighted buildings from absentee landlords and leveled them more than a decade ago.
Related: City eyes partnership with nonprofit to build housing on Sayonara Drive
If the proposed sale to the water district moves forward, the remaining parcels are intended to be sold to Habitat for Humanity for the purpose of building affordable housing.
A purchase price has not been specified for the three lots the water district is interested in purchasing. Draft terms of sale included in the July 14 agenda packet state that the city will select a commercial appraisal company to assess the value of the land and determine the purchase price based on the “highest and best use of the sites.”
The water district will also pay a deposit of $10,000 to the city, not to be refunded unless the city breaches the agreement terms, and will have up to 180 days to asses the viability of the location for digging a well. Proceeds from the sale would be allocated to the city’s housing fund, because the land was originally purchased using housing related funds, according to a staff report.
Public comments on the purchase proposal may be submitted via email to cityclerk@citrusheights.net, or directly to the City Council at citycouncil@citrusheights.net. The complete agenda for the meeting can be accessed here, beginning on page 240.
By Phillip Pesola--
The Citrus Heights City Council on Thursday will consider a plan to sell three vacant, city-owned lots on Sayonara Drive to the water district.
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