Community Workshop #2: Planning Options Date: January 30, 2003 Time: 6:30-8:30 PM Location: Rusch Park

Community Workshop #2 On January 30, 2003 over 20 people participated in the second of three community workshops to prepare a specific plan for Auburn Boulevard. The purpose of the workshop was to provide an opportunity for the community to review and comment on planning options for the 1-1/2 mile stretch of Auburn Boulevard between Sylvan Corners and Roseville/I-80. Workshop Summary The participants reviewed options presented by planners. Participants were encouraged to identify the strengths and features in each option they liked and wanted to include in a preferred concept plan. Criteria for evaluation included objectives established at the first community workshop. These objectives included: Beautification of Auburn Boulevard Improved interface with existing neighborhoods Improved pedestrian and vehicular safety Three options were presented. The first option emphasized infill development that was similar to existing uses. It did not include streetscape improvements such as undergrounding utilities or a landscaped median. The second option emphasized creating transit-friendly mixed-use villages on the existing Grand Oaks center and Big K center areas and adding infill housing between commercial and residential neighborhoods. This option included undergrounding utilities and extensive streetscaping. The third option placed an emphasis on redeveloping areas with larger commercial development. Three new commercial centers were included. One smaller center south of Antelope; another larger grocery store-anchored center on and around the Grand Oaks site; and the third was an office and hotel redevelopment of the Big K area. The third option also had extensive streetscaping and undergrounding of utilities. Participants worked as members of three planning teams and reviewed the options. A summary of their comments can be found below. The comments included their favorite features and how the options best met the planning objectives identified by the community at the first workshop.   Team 1 Team 1 included several business and property owners. Most owned property in the southern portion of the planning area characterized by smaller lots and independent businesses. Where the majority of the participants at the first workshop were residents, these property owners had a different set of objectives and chose to evaluate the options with an emphasis on their impact on their businesses. Favorite Features: Liked how Option 1 preserved the existing curb cut access to their businesses. Wanted to recruit businesses that were compatible with their existing businesses. Liked how the options improved the design of sidewalks. Meeting Planning Objectives: Option 1 Modified Team 1 liked Option 1's emphasis on small and compatible tenants, and individual site access (leaves existing curb cuts and has no median) for the southern portion of the Boulevard. Team 1 felt it was all right to explore Options 2 and 3 for the northern part of the Boulevard. There might also be an opportunity to view Option 1 as the initial phase of another approach as long as existing businesses can continue to operate.   Team 2 Team 2 wanted to mix and match the best features from each alternative. They identified their favorite solutions for each sub area. Favorite Features Residential village in the Grand Oaks area Some infill housing Undergrounding of utilities Meeting Planning Objectives: Combine Option 2 and Option 3 Team 2 took a team vote on their favorite parts of each option. Generally they preferred Options 2 and 3. Most wanted to see a residential village as in Option 2 around the Grand Oaks center area. They were split on whether there should be a similar residential village at the northern end on the Big K site area or an office and hotel project identified in Option 3. Two of the team members wanted to explore consolidating small lots for larger tenants and improving the streetscape for areas south of Antelope.   Team 3 Team 3 gave Option 2 the highest marks but was concerned about how this approach could impact existing businesses in terms of roadway improvements and the ability of property owners and businesses to financially participate. Favorite Features Gateway(s) and Citrus Heights Business Center Community Center Mixed-use village Meeting Planning Objectives: Combine Option 2 with Commercial Office and Hotel at I-80 in Option 3 Team 3 wanted to make sure any option provided separation of transportation modes (cars, pedestrians and bicycles). They Option 2 and 3's streetscape and wanted to explore how to do this without widening Auburn Boulevard. There was also concern about the impact of on-street parking and medians on access to existing businesses.

return to Auburn Boulevard Specific Plan home page