
By Steve Wilburn–
Dear Citrus Heights Sentinel Editor and Community,
Below you will find my public comment that was provided to the City for the proposed amendment to the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan. Sometimes these publications can be long, but it’s worth the read to best understand how our community could change. Political views are always volatile, and I normally keep my modest views to myself. But in this particular case, it may be worth sharing.
I believe the developer, Ethan Conrad, is trying to continue Sunrise Mall, and its relative footprint as a past generation mall. He cited, Marketplace of Merced, Chico Marketplace, and Yuba Sutter Marketplace as locations to show his effort. These locations represent what a mall WAS, but not what it has become. I simply looked up these locations, as clean and in use as they appear, they did not appear to be a premiere location. The Sunrise Tomorrow plan is a very hopeful view of what we could be, but the Amendment is an effort to try for less with what’s there. That being said, below is what I offered to our city leaders.
The Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan Amendment has elements that directly conflict with goals and concepts from the Specific Site Plan.
Policy 2.4 directly conflicts with “Light industrial, storage and leased storage are allowed on the lower level of the former Sears and Sears Auto Building in Area 3-A”.
Light industrial, storage, and leased storage does not encourage foot traffic, neighborliness, or sense of belonging. It is counterproductive to establish a business in an area that we need community presence, with a business that is only used for storage. Most of the activity within this zone will be very sporadic. This will position the school in an area surrounded by sporadic business presents. If there is no continued presences in this area, it would not be an improvement on the current situation.
The best way to describe this, is to present a question. How busy would a storage facility be?
Goal 14 cites the need to strengthen retail base. The amendment requests to add light industrial, storage, and leased storage is retail. This is in direct conflict with Goal 14 as storage is not retail.
Furthermore, the storage and leased storage does not support 3.3.3.1 Land Use Plan.
Finally, a change in Open Space or creek restoration should be rejected entirely. Open Space and green is an integral part of the Specific Site Plan and an important part of the City of Citrus Heights.

Overall, the amendments demonstrate that the developer is willing to openly disregard elements of the Specific Site Plan. Further scrutiny is required to determine if the amendment requests are consistent with the Specific Site Plan. There are elements that should be entertained and maybe a viable option, but trustworthiness of the developer is in question.
Steve Wilburn is a California native and an 18-year resident of Citrus Heights. He owns his home with his wife and son.
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Below you will find my public comment that was provided to the City for the proposed amendment to the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan. Sometimes these publications...
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