‘Sunrise Tomorrow Evolution’ plan sparks debate at Citrus Heights neighborhood meetings

By Sara Beth Williams–
In an effort to gather community feedback and support for his proposed amendment to the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan, real estate mogul Ethan Conrad has spent the past two months presenting his “Sunrise Tomorrow Evolution” plan to Citrus Heights Neighborhood Area groups.

Conrad, CEO of Ethan Conrad Properties, said Monday the outreach has “gone well.”

“We’ve received a significant amount of positive feedback, not only from the Citrus Heights residents and council members, but also a significant amount of successful business people in the Greater Sacramento Area and higher level elected officials,” Conrad said.

So far the developer has presented at all Neighborhood Areas in the city, according to Neighborhood Area presidents and Agenda minutes. Ruth Fox from Citrus Heights Neighborhood Areas 2 and 6 (CHATS) said 35 people were in attendance during their monthly meeting on Feb. 25. Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa said about two dozen people were in attendance during a similar presentation from Ethan Conrad Properties at the monthly meeting for Citrus Heights Neighborhood Area 10 (SOAR). Glenda Green, president of Neighborhood Area 3, said 38 people were in attendance during a joint Area 3 and 4 meeting on Feb. 11.

During a presentation to Areas 2 and 6, Brian Holloway, a representative from Ethan Conrad Properties, emphasized that shopping center development must begin with acquiring an anchor store and that Home Depot has “committed,” with a letter of intent, to building a store in Citrus Heights if the city approves the necessary changes to the Specific Plan. When asked by residents about what other restaurants or family entertainment businesses were currently showing interest, Holloway listed several potential restaurants, including Peet’s Coffee, BJ’s, and Chick-fil-a, but he expects other sit-down restaurants and recreational businesses to express interest if the project moves forward.

“We can’t make things happen without the council, and the council can’t make things happen without a developer, so it takes two to work out a solution,” Holloway said.

During the same meeting, Councilmember Tim Schaefer challenged Holloway’s claim that there have been no developers interested in the mall property. Holloway responded, saying he has only heard the information “second hand” that no developers were interested.

Throughout various community meetings, residents have expressed concerns regarding the prospect of building multiple fast food restaurants with drive-thrus so close together along Sunrise Boulevard, as outlined in the site plan submitted to the city by Ethan Conrad Properties. During the Area 10 meeting, Conrad explained that drive-thrus are “in demand” and that any quick service restaurant with a drive-thru would still have to meet all existing city regulations and criteria. Conrad also added that BJ’s has denied a request to come to Citrus Heights three times because there aren’t any other adequate surrounding restaurants or retail on the mall property, according to Conrad.

During an economic development presentation to the City Council on Feb. 12, Economic Development and Community Engagement Director Meghan Huber said data obtained from property developers, property managers, property brokers, and business owners indicates that there is a “burgeoning demand” for drive-thrus.

Contention arose at the Area 10 meeting between Conrad and another resident who criticized the addition of Home Depot, with video from the meeting showing the resident was repeatedly interrupting and talking over Conrad as he attempted to explain that adding a national tenant would allow the city to attract more desirable tenants.

“It’s going to be a whole lot worse if we don’t move quickly,” Conrad said at the Area 10 meeting.

The area’s president said the presentation to Areas 3 and 4 went well, but that there were “a lot of sincere and serious concerns raised” from residents.

“Despite the contentions, the attendees expressed that they were thankful that the developer came to provide the information and that they appreciated the chance to discuss, with hopes that the developer would listen and make adjustments accordingly,” Green said.

Neighborhood Area 4 representatives said via email that from comments made during the meeting, “it seems clear” that many residents were against the new development proposal. However, Area 4 board members added they have not had the opportunity to discuss the presentation further with local residents.

What’s next?
Conrad previously had hoped to present his plan to the City Council as a “discussion only” item in February or March following his outreach campaign throughout the city but told The Sentinel Monday that the soonest the city has agreed to schedule the presentation was on April 25.

The City Council recently announced that they plan to visit Lakewood, Colorado, together in April on a study mission to view the Belmar Mall, a downtown-like mixed-use district that was transformed from a defunct mall similar to what Sunrise Mall is currently.  Last year, Citrus Schaefer visited Belmar Mall with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) and brought back information to the City Council on the success story of the revitalization project. He cited the Belmar Mall as a comparison model for what the Sunrise Mall property could someday become.

“I’m glad that the vast majority of people recognize that the Specific Plan does need to be updated to reflect current economic conditions,” Conrad told The Sentinel, adding that if the mall dies, it would be a “huge detriment” to the city.