EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. (October 9, 2023) – There are plans underway to develop a 60-acre area in El Dorado Hills, which would include the construction of hotels, an events center, and more. The final votes for this development project are expected to take place within a year. The proposed location, known as Town & Country Village, is situated on Bass Lake Road near Country Club Drive. According to Josh Pane, the project applicant, the site is currently undergoing preparations for an environmental review. Pane, on behalf of the Sacramento developer Mohanna Development Co. and their partner Panfino General Partnership, believes that the project will not only benefit the existing population but also attract visitors to El Dorado County.
Based on an application submitted in 2021, the plans include two hotels positioned on opposite sides of a central courtyard and events center, which are situated at the southern end of the property where Bass Lake and Old Country Club Drive intersect. Although the application does not specify the hotel brands, it describes each hotel as being four or five stories tall. Collectively, the hotels would offer approximately 300 rooms. The events center itself would span around 7,000 square feet and serve as a venue for various occasions, such as conferences and weddings.
To minimize the impact of increased vehicle traffic, Pane mentioned that the developers have engaged in discussions with local churches. The idea being explored is to have wedding guests park at the churches and subsequently use shuttle buses to travel to the events center. This approach would help reduce the overall distance traveled by vehicles.
Overall, this development project aims to transform the designated area into a valuable asset for both the local community and tourists visiting El Dorado County.
The southern section of the development comprises various notable amenities. These include ample space for restaurants spanning 7,000 square feet, a museum covering an area of the same size, and retail space spanning 25,600 square feet.
Additionally, there will be 454 parking spaces available in this vicinity. Moving towards the northern section, specifically northeast of the intersection of Bass Lake and Country Club, the plans outline the construction of 112 unspecified-sized cottages. It is worth mentioning that half of these cottages will be reserved for staff members working at the hotel and events center, while the remaining units may be rented out through the hotels.
The northern area will also feature two clubhouse and pool facilities, as well as a single area designated for picnics and recreational activities. As for the land between the two sections of the development, there is currently no outlined plan.
However, according to previous presentations, the developer mentioned the establishment of multiple trails, some existing and others to be constructed, that will traverse the property. The application also highlights the inclusion of conceptual wood truss bridges over existing creeks, likely to be part of the trail system. The development team, led by Pane, has diligently held 35 public meetings to present and discuss the project. These meetings took place during the notice of preparation period in July and August, which aimed to gather input for a draft environmental report on the project.
It is estimated that a comprehensive Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will take around 9 to 12 months to complete. As a result, it is unlikely that the El Dorado County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors will be able to vote on the project and the EIR until at least late next year. Most of the neighboring properties are supportive of the project, although there are also critics. He acknowledged this and emphasized that they will continue to collaborate with those involved.
Since the final votes are still pending, there is currently no specific timeline for the commencement of project development. Nonetheless, Pane expressed confidence that once the project is constructed, it will serve as a central hub for events in El Dorado Hills. Additionally, it may offer an alternative for skiers visiting resorts located to the east near Lake Tahoe.
