Massive housing project in Citrus Heights sold to new developer

By Thomas J. Sullivan–
Watt Communities has sold its interest in its planned 56-acre Mitchell Farms residential development on the former Sunrise Golf Course to KB Homes for an undisclosed sum.

KB Homes, a Los Angeles homebuilder, has its central California headquarters in Roseville. Current residential projects are in Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln. Under the terms of the agreement, Watt will provide over 200 finished lots for KB Homes to build single family homes.

The sale was made by Watt Communities to KB Homes last month, according to Lupe Prado Sanchez, senior marketing manager for Watt Communities. A start date for construction has not been announced, but site work began earlier this year.

“It’s too early to set a start of construction date,” said Matt Hogan, vice president for land development for KB Homes in Roseville. “We’re now in the process of getting updated contractual documents from Watt Communities and looking toward setting project schedules.”

Watt Communities, which is headquartered in Santa Monica, has built several housing communities in Citrus Heights, most recently selling out all 15 new single-family detached homes in its development at Mariposa Creek on Antelope Road earlier this month.

In a public statement announcing the sale, Kevin Webb, president of Watt Communities Northern California division, said Citrus Heights “has always been a great place for us to build,” and said city staff “are always a pleasure to work with.”

“Many of our buyers have been current, long-time Citrus Heights residents who want a new home but don’t want to leave the area,” said Webb. “We’re proud that in this transaction, KB Homes will be able to provide that for them.”

The Mitchell Farms project, which was approved by the Planning Commission and the City Council last year, is considered one of the few remaining infill residential opportunities in Citrus Heights.

In Watt Communities’ original submitted design, a total of 260 housing units were to be grouped in five general “villages,” with sizes ranging from around 1,400-square-feet to approximately 2,000-square-feet.

As of Sept. 11, no changes to the approved plans have been proposed by KB Homes, according to the city’s planning department.

A popular aspect of the Mitchell Farms project has been the large amount of open space incorporated in the development, as a large swath down the middle of the acreage must remain undeveloped due to a 100-year flood plain associated with Arcade Creek. Under an agreement with the Sunrise Recreation and Parks District, the undeveloped acreage will become part of the parks district.

New streets running through the development and connecting with Arcadia Drive and Fair Oaks Boulevard have yet to be named.

The 56-acre parcel had been owned by Ted Mitchell whose family purchased 160 acres in Citrus Heights over 100 years ago, according to an interview published by the city’s former History & Arts Commission.