Proposed new city hall, medical building set for final vote in March

Wondering what’s going on with the proposal to construct a new three-story medical office building in place of the existing Citrus Heights city hall?

After more than a year of discussion, debate and even a lawsuit threat by an upset resident group, Citrus Heights council members are scheduled to take a final vote in March on the proposal to relocate a new $18 million city hall, and allow Dignity Health to construct a 68,000-square-feet medical office building (MOB) at the corner of Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive.

[Related: GALLERY: Artistic Images of Proposed New City Hall]

According to Monica Alejandrez, assistant to the city manager, environmental consultants and City staff are currently working on the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the proposals, which will include responses to all comments submitted during a 45-day review period on a draft version of the report released in December.  She said the City is hoping to have the final report completed by February 27, but it depends on how quickly consultants can compile responses to comments.

Although comments were also able to be submitted in writing, public comments received from a handful of residents during a January 14 Planning Commission hearing included complaints about increased traffic, noise and an “inadequate” environmental review. A suggestion was also made by resident Norman Hill to lessen visibility impacts of the proposed three-story MOB by lowering it to two-story and increasing the set-back “so it’s not right up against Greenback.”

City officials have called the Dignity Health proposal a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for Citrus Heights to get an $18.9 million new hall for an estimated net cost of about $5 million. The discounted cost would come primarily from income brought in by the proposed Dignity Health lease, as well as from projected energy and repair savings coming from a more efficient new city hall building, according to City Manager Henry Tingle.

The city council had previously selected a location on Antelope Road last year as the “preferred site” for a new city hall, but council members voted unanimously to switch plans to a closer, larger parcel that came available late last year. The new 10-acre “Stock Property” enjoys greater public support, and is located next to the Post Office — just several hundred feet from where the existing hall sits on Fountain Square Drive.

[Related: New City Hall Site Option Draws Support, While Medical Building Criticized]

Upcoming March 2015 meetings:
March 11, 7 p.m. — The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the FEIR, design review permit, and associated actions. Ultimately, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council to either approve or deny the FEIR, design review permits, and other associated actions related to the proposed Medical Office Building and City Hall Project.

March 12, 5 p.m. — A study session will be held by the city council to discuss the two draft ground leases related to the proposals.

March 26, 7 p.m. — A public hearing and vote will be held by the city council to consider approving the FEIR, design review permit “and other associated actions related to the proposals.” The council will also decide whether or not to authorize the city manager to enter into the proposed ground leases associated with proposals.

*All meetings are scheduled to take place in the Citrus Heights City Council Chambers, at 7117 Greenback Ln.