(Andrew Vonderschmitt, Mountain Democrat)<\/p>\n
PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA, June 5, 2022 \u2014 Plans are in motion to develop the old Armory site next to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Backed by an executive order aimed at abating the housing crisis, the state of California has granted a 55-year lease to Jamboree Housing Corporation out of Irvine to demolish the Armory and construct and manage affordable housing on the mostly state-owned parcel.<\/p>\n
The plans and mitigated negative declaration for the proposed 83-unit apartment building are available to the public for review and comment through June 10.<\/p>\n
Placerville Development Services Director Pierre Rivas delivered a report on the proposed Placerville Armory Affordable Housing Project at the May 24 City Council meeting.<\/p>\n
The property at 212 Armory Drive has long been considered for various uses, including a temporary homeless shelter. Formerly an Army facility and Army National Guard recruiting offices, as well as the home of the Boys and Girls Club, the site has been abandoned for a number of years.<\/p>\n
There are two separate parcels at 212 Armory Drive. The state owns the parcel with the existing facility while the county owns a smaller portion of the land.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a little sliver of property located between the Armory and Ray Lawyer Drive,\u201d Rivas said, clarifying that the county was in the process of transferring that property to the state in order to facilitate the development.<\/p>\n
The existing facility will be demolished to make way for construction of apartments with one- , two- and three-bedroom units, a multipurpose room, youth room, laundry room and property management office. The project site plan shows 96 parking spaces plus 12 covered parking spaces, patio areas, walkways and landscaping.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe state is the lead agency for the project,\u201d Rivas said.<\/p>\n
Although the city has been an active proponent of the project, Rivas explained it \u201chas no authority over the project.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rivas pointed out that concerned citizens are afforded an opportunity to voice concerns during the review period.<\/p>\n
Completion of this project could assist the city in meeting its regional housing needs allocation, Rivas said.<\/p>\n
The state Department of General Services, along with Jamboree Housing, will provide more in-depth presentations to the Planning Commission July 15 and the City Council Aug. 9.<\/p>\n
In January 2019 Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-06-19, which effectively ordered the Department of General Services to create a digital inventory of excess state-owned properties, such as 212 Armory Drive.<\/p>\n
California ranks 49th in housing production per capita, according to the document. Restrictive local zoning and land use policies are cited as one cause for the shortage. By developing state-owned property, local ordinances and zoning can be circumvented and expedited for public use, states the document.<\/p>\n
As a result of this order there are 14 affordable housing projects in in the works across California, including two in Sacramento and one in South Lake Tahoe.<\/p>\n
Mayor Kara Taylor emphasized that comments on the project should be directed to the Department of General Services. However, if comments are sent to city staff inadvertently, they will be forwarded to the Department of General Services.<\/p>\n
Councilman Michael Saragosa asked for clarity on the city\u2019s authority, if any, over the project.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I own a piece of property in West Sacramento, it doesn\u2019t mean I can do whatever I want with it just because I own it,\u201d he said. \u201cIn terms of what they can do and not do, it\u2019s not \u2018sovereign\u2019 land to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is sovereign land,\u201d said Rivas, recalling the construction of the county government center within Placerville city limits.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe city\u2019s avenue for review and comment was the environmental document, so it\u2019s the same here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saragosa wanted further clarity regarding the state\u2019s authority in developing land in local municipalities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn terms of state-owned property, the state owns a bunch of property in Natomas, so they can do basically anything they want to in Natomas without having to get the city or the county to say that\u2019s OK?\u201d<\/p>\n
Rivas confirmed, reiterating that California Environmental Quality Act documents are distributed to concerned local agencies to comment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are looking at some level of consistency with the local General Plan,\u201d Rivas said, noting that the city has been an active and supportive partner in the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the city\u2019s perspective there is no conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n
Councilman Dennis Thomas shared concerns regarding parking.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see that we have 83 units with 98 parking spaces,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
With two- and three-bedroom units, Thomas maintained the parking allotment would not be enough to address the need.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can see well over 150 vehicles if you do the math,\u201d he said, asking if there was any control the city had over that aspect of the project.<\/p>\n
Rivas said developers added as many parking spaces as were possible. Additional parking was a driver […]<\/p>\n