Updated Oct. 13, 2:23 p.m.
Opposition to a proposal to build a new city hall noticeably dwindled Thursday night, as Citrus Heights council members voted unanimously in favor of designating a newly proposed 10-acre property next to the Post Office as the “preferred site” for a possible relocation of city hall – although a final decision to move can’t be made until next year.
Thursday’s decision directs City staff to go ahead with a required Environmental Impact Report as part of assessing the new “Stock Property” site, shifting attention away from considering a site on Antelope Road. The council had previously voted on April 10 to designate a parcel near Auburn and Antelope Road as the “preferred site” for the relocation proposal, but faced heated opposition from residents who felt the site was too far removed from other civic center buildings like the community center and police department.
“I think you have saved us all a lot of headache and grief in terms of going to a location that maybe we weren’t all necessarily excited about,” said Mayor Mel Turner in a public comment to developer Rod Johnson, who proposed the new building and location. “I think you’ve presented a marvelous opportunity for us and we would be remiss if we didn’t take a close look at it.”
Nearly two-dozen residents addressed the council Thursday night, with a majority in favor of the new hall’s location and one-story design, although a related proposal to allow Dignity Health to construct a three-story medical office building (MOB) in place of the existing hall continued to draw opposition from residents who don’t want it in the civic center.
31-year resident Tom Scheeler, who was a vocal opponent of the Antelope Road site, said he was “very happy” with the new spot nearby the existing hall, but requested city staff hold a workshop to better explain the justification for spending $18 million of public funds on a new hall. He also expressed concern about traffic from a new MOB and suggested a visual traffic simulation be publicly presented residents to identify “probable problem areas” and potentially alleviate public concerns about increased traffic.
“I would prefer the MOB move to another location within Citrus Heights,” said Scheeler. “But if it remains at the proposed site, I would request that the effort be made to reduce the building to two stories to minimize the impacts on adjacent residences and bring the building into more aesthetics with the surrounding structures.”
Others, like the Chamber of Commerce, expressed support for the MOB, saying it would bring jobs to the area, boost the local economy and also help pay for a new city hall through a $6.9 million lease agreement with the City.
The required environmental report is estimated to take until next year, with the City saying it expects a final decision on the city hall and medical office building proposals as early as March 2015.
Councilmember Jeff Slowey was absent from the meeting.
*Editor’s note: For more information on the new site, see story: New City Hall Site Option Draws Support, While Medical Building Criticized
