By Sara Beth Williams–
A proposed lot split on Sylvan Road could negatively impact the Veterans Community Center if the future parcels are developed into duplexes, Veterans Center representatives warn.
A request for the subdivision of a 0.42-acre lot on Sylvan Road into two lots was recently heard by the Citrus Heights Planning Commission at the end of February.
The lot is currently used for overflow parking, Veterans Community Center President Michelle Grant explained in a written comment during a February Citrus Heights Planning Commission meeting. Grant succeeded the center’s co-founder, the late Jeanne Rounsavell, who served as president for many years before her passing in 2025.
The application requesting a subdivision includes conceptual plans for future development that include a duplex on each lot and an additional accessory dwelling unit, according to the Planning Commission agenda packet. However, project planners during the February hearing emphasized that no development was being proposed or submitted for review. Only the lot split request was up for consideration. Any future development would need to follow permit processes.
If developed with duplexes and an auxiliary dwelling unit, as the property owner has hypothetically proposed through a conceptual map, the Veterans Community Center will lose overflow parking, greatly impacting the ability for the center to hold large events due to lack of safe parking for elderly and disabled veterans, Grant said.
Another veteran who spoke during public comment, said most veterans who attend events are in their 80’s on average, and many are disabled or use walkers. The speaker also said that the Veterans Community Center had reportedly been attempting to buy the adjacent parcel, in order to continue to use for overflow parking.
Two commissioners expressed concerns about adequate access points for fire trucks, and SMUD vehicles, which can be up to 26,000 pounds. City planners said the development of the lot wasn’t under review, and that Sacramento Metro Fire and SMUD would conduct their own reviews if construction plans are submitted at a later date.
The Veterans Community Center is located at 6921 Sylvan Rd. and sits on 0.59 acres and typically uses the adjacent vacant lot for overflow parking for major events, such as annual Luaus and other fundraising dinners, as well as annual concerts such as free Ben Ali Shrine concerts, Grant said.
Commissioner Al Hakam Al Rami moved to continue the lot split request to a future date to allow for more time to study access compatibility issues, as well as to allow for the full Planning Commission to be present. The five present commissioners unanimously agreed to continue the item. Vice Chair Marcelle Flowers and Commissioner Andrew Van Duker were absent from the February meeting.
Decisions made by the Planning Commission can be appealed to the City Council by filing a written notice of appeal no longer than 10 calendar days after which the determination was made.
The next Citrus Heights Planning Commission meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, but has been canceled.
