New Heights: Could the future of the Sunrise Mall include high rises?

By Sara Beth Williams–
The aging Sunrise Mall could one day have new life, with city plans envisioning redevelopment and the potential for new buildings at the site to reach new heights.

According to the 147-page document that outlines the framework and development guidelines for the future of the Sunrise Mall, a “pedestrian-friendly” Main Street could incorporate a central hotel tower, “with an inviting entry and drop off” that could reach a maximum height of 12 stories, or 120 feet.

As indicated in the definition for a high-rise building in the International Building Code, “A building is considered a high-rise when there is an occupied floor of more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.” Typically, high rises include more than four floors.

Plans for the Main Street envision an active and walkable destination street lined with mixed-use residential and office buildings that provide visitors with a myriad of shopping and dining options with ground floor uses such as cafes, an artisan food hall, and shops that “spill out onto ample sidewalks and public spaces.”

City spokesperson Marisa Brown confirmed the Specific Plan allows for a minor increase of one additional floor, or 15 additional feet, which would require approval from the city.

Councilmember Tim Schaefer, who has served on the Citrus Heights City Council since 2020, said he would like to “experience a meal with a view” and noted there isn’t anywhere in Citrus Heights to do so.

According to the city, the tallest building recorded in Citrus Heights is a three-story medical office building situated on the corner of Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive.

“Many times over the last 35 years, when friends and colleagues come to visit, they ask where they can go for a nice view of the valley,” Schaefer said, adding that a penthouse view from the “Heights” would provide a view of downtown Sacramento, along with the rest of the valley region. “Just imagine the ambiance that could add to a very nice dining experience on a special occasion,” Schaefer said.

Another focal area, envisioned as a “central gathering” or “new town square” called Sunrise Commons could include buildings of up to eight stories. Plans for Sunrise Commons envision buildings for mixed-use purposes, including ground floor restaurants and entertainment, office space, and residential housing, all centrally located along Main Street. Building details indicate a maximum allowed height of 80 feet, with 15 feet on the ground floor, creating space for restaurants and other retail and entertainment options.

Outside of Sunrise Commons, several “employment anchors” would be located between Main Street and quieter residential neighborhoods, according to plan diagrams. These sectors would serve as a “more-secluded urban campus workplace atmosphere,” according to the plan. Maximum heights on buildings in the various employment anchor sectors range from 4 to 8 stories, according to charts describing development standards.

Other proposed buildings in the Specific Plan include an “event plaza” on the south side, which could reach a maximum height of 60 feet. Examples of use include a possible movie theater with accompanying retail shops and restaurants.

Schaefer said the Sunrise Tomorrow plan explores a “wide range of uses,” but what becomes of the almost 100 acres will be determined by the options future developers select. Still, Schaefer is “hopeful” that a developer will see a high-rise building as an “opportunity to house a penthouse restaurant.”

“This is exactly what it takes to have people from around the region visit Citrus Heights,” Schaefer said.

The purpose of the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan is to provide a “comprehensive direction” for development that implements the city’s strategic goals and policies.

The focal point of the Plan is a walkable “21st Century Main Street,” with five big ideas guiding it: creating a community and regional destination with a range of shopping and entertainment options, creating connected greenspaces throughout, including parks, plazas and streets with shade trees and sustainable landscaping, creating safe, low-speed streets for people that cater to pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles, creating livable neighborhoods for various housing options within walking distance to transit, retail, entertainment and employment opportunities, and creating an environment that promotes economic activity and job creation.

The plan also outlines several sections of residential neighborhoods along the outskirts, which would include various types of housing such as townhouses, low-rise apartments, mid-rise housing, active housing, and senior living. Development details in the plan indicate these buildings would have a maximum of four floors allowed.

Overall, the plan anticipates the potential of tripling the development previously allowed at the site, with a maximum of 480 hotel rooms, 2,220 residential units, 320,000 square feet of retail, 960,000 square feet of office space, and 450,000 square feet of community and institutional uses.

The City Council approved the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan in 2021 along with the associated Environmental Impact Report, but has acknowledged that the plan could look different in the end.

“There is a common misconception that the city owns the property and can control its improvement or be part of business decisions,” Economic Community and Development Director Meghan Huber previously told The Sentinel regarding the mall property, which is privately owned by multiple owners. “The City does not own the property and has no decision-making authority regarding investment.”