By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights City Council is slated to discuss the draft of a potential annexation work plan involving a 5.4-acre section of unincorporated Sacramento County located on the southern border of the city.
Three years ago, the city conducted an annexation study of five different areas of Citrus Heights, one of which included a small section at the intersection of Fair Oaks Boulevard and Madison Avenue. The study was conducted to investigate whether annexing specific parts of unincorporated areas of Sacramento County into Citrus Heights would be financially feasible.
The results of the study were presented to staff during a City Council meeting in 2022.
The possibility of annexation has been considered by the city since the first general planning meeting in 2000, according to Community Development Director Casey Kempenaar. In May of this year, two councilmembers requested that the city take a second look into the potential annexation of the northwest corner of Fair Oaks Boulevard and Madison Avenue into the Citrus Heights city limits. This area is currently developed with a multi-story commercial building, a commercial center, and adjacent multi-family residential units, according to the staff report.
Annexing this corner would “square off” the city’s boundaries and “potentially” allow the city greater control over the intersection, which serves as a gateway into the city. The 2022 Annexation Analysis indicated that the annexation of the 5.4-acre area would result in negative fiscal impacts in the range of $5,541 to $16,287 annually, the staff report says.
The capital required to bring the intersection infrastructure up to modern standards was indicated to be the cause of the hypothetical negative fiscal impact. However, since the annexation study, Sacramento County has announced plans to improve Madison Avenue, including the intersection of Fair Oaks Boulevard, with major roadway improvements.
Construction is anticipated for 2026. Upon completion of the roadway improvements, the annexation impact is anticipated to be “revenue neutral to slightly positive,” the city said in its report.
To annex any section of the city, those within the potential area of annexation must vote to be annexed into Citrus Heights. A work plan outlined in the agenda packet includes specific steps that the city plans to take, including outreach to property owners, local businesses, and other residents through phone calls, mailers, and a public open house.
The annexation work plan is slated to be discussed with feedback from the council to be collected on Wednesday night. The full work plan can be viewed in the agenda packet here.
Those wishing to make a public comment during the meeting can do so by attending the council meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at City Hall, at 6 p.m., or by submitting a written comment beforehand using the city’s website. The deadline to submit comments online is 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting. City Hall is located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.
