Rancho to consider Folsom Blvd. zoning policy

By Megan Hansen
CNS Staff Writer

The Rancho Cordova Planning Commission this month will consider a plan designed to help Folsom Boulevard business and property owners cope with zoning changes and economic woes.

The plan comes as a response to some business and property owners who say they’ve experienced more vacancies along Folsom Boulevard as a result of the city’s new zoning codes.

The zoning changes limit the use of some properties on Folsom Boulevard to encourage more residential and retail spaces instead of large-scale commercial. Concerns about these changes were presented to the Rancho Cordova City Council on May 4.

The resulting “Folsom Boulevard Relief Plan” is a provisional amendment to the Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan, which was adopted in 2006.

The new plan would extend the amount of time property owners have to fill vacancies from six months to eighteen months. Current law states that if property owners cannot find a tenant within six months, they forfeit their past property use and must abide by the new zoning code.

Megan McMurtry, of Rancho Cordova’s Economic Development Department, said the City Council is open to changing the law.

“At first, we proposed extending the vacancy time from six to 12 months before the non-conforming use status would be lost on the property,” McMurtry said. “But the council recommended 18 months because of the state of the economy.”

Curt Haven, Rancho Cordova Economic Development Director, said the goal of the proposal is to prevent vacancies.

“If a whole building, not just one tenant, goes dark than the new 18 month extension will kick in,” Haven said. “However, it will not be retroactive. If a business has already been closed more than 18 months it won’t apply to them.”

The new plan would allow commercial uses in medium-density residential zones along Folsom Boulevard.

Non-conforming properties in the medium-density residential zones now have very limited commercial reuse. Under this provision, most retail, services and office uses would be permitted.

“Midtown Sacramento is a good example of mixed-use properties,” Haven said. “It allows for people to walk right out of their doors and into a restaurant.”

The amendment would help Folsom Boulevard property owners like Kim To. To has a non-conforming mixed use property with a retail tenant and no residential units. She’s been struggling to get a business permit for more than three months.

“I bought the property without knowing that the zoning had changed,” To said. “I’ve been waiting, waiting and waiting. In the meantime, my tenant has not paid rent because we can’t get the permit.”

Under the “Folsom Boulevard Relief Plan,” To would have 18 months instead of six to secure her tenant and business permit. She would be allowed to have retail, service or office uses on her property without worrying about residential units.

McMurtry said there are more steps to take before the plan can be implemented.

“After we take this to the Planning Commission, we’ll hopefully take it back to the City Council on June 1,” McMurtry said. “Any actual changes to amend the plan would happen in July.”

To said July is too far away.

“At first they told me it was going to be in June and now it’s July,” To said. “It’s been very difficult. I have to pay my mortgage and it’s been so difficult.”

The Planning Commission will consider the “Folsom Boulevard Relief Plan” at 6 p.m. May 14 in the City Hall Council Chambers, 2729 Prospect Park Drive.