ELK GROVE, CA (MPG8) - Elk Grove staff senior planner Kyra Killingsworth presented the Planning Commission with a design review on the Lodge project at Esplanade Madeira, requesting a resolution be adopted finding no further environmental review required pursuant to state CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15183.

Graphics setting out details for the Lodge building to be used privately by members only revealed a new, approximately 21,658-square-foot private clubhouse to be constructed with parking, lighting, landscaping and indoor and outdoor amenities for a private, age-restricted community in the Esplanade subdivision. 

The address is 8500 Lodge Way. It is to be constructed in compliance with the city's Climate Action Plan measures. 

The Lodge design is of natural stone and earthtone colors in compliance with the overall project.

The property owner and project applicant is Taylor Morrison, LLC Jay Pawlek (Representative) 81 Blue Ravine, Suite 220, Folsom.

Staff recommended that the Planning Commission find no further environmental review necessary under CEQA. 

The project site is located on Lodge Way, south of Poppy Ridge Road and east of Big Horn Boulevard within the Southeast Policy Area (SEPA) The five-acre site is vacant and bordered by approved single-family dwelling subdivisions (Souza Dairy and Esplanade West) under construction to the north, south, east and west.

It is in the Southeast Policy Area (SEPA) with a designation of Parks/Open Space on the SEPA Land Plan. The Private Residential Open Space use is a permitted use in the designation of Parks/Open Space. 

In January, the director made a Similar Use Determination that the use of the private clubhouse on a park site would be substantially similar to the “Private Residential Open Space” use and that the property would be subject to the Parks and Recreation development standards.

Commissioner Oscar O’Con inquired why this private construction was brought before the Planning Commission. Killingsworth explained that all such projects more than 1,000 square feet are required to come before the commission. Upon review, Scott Johnson from the Sierra Club said his organization had no comment.

Commissioner Sandra Poole moved that no further CEQA was required. The design review, based on findings and approvals, was passed unanimously. 

As recommended by the Planning Commission on April 4, Development Services Director Darren Wilson reported that the zoo project will go to City Council for consideration on May 8, after press time. 

Wilson indicated no matters were scheduled to come before the Planning Commission on May 16 and recommended that meeting be cancelled. Chairman Suman Singha concurred on behalf of the Planning Commission.