The primary issue is the traffic / safety issue that will undoubtedly arise if the rezoning is approved, allowing drive-thru fast food. In fact, I believe the developer knows this as they requested a study to add an additional egress point onto Arena Blvd, necessitated by their proposed design / capacity expectations. The study was completed and unfortunately, it was determined that it was not feasible. The developers did NOT sufficiently alter their design, instead doubling down on a max vehicle proposal which includes the largest gas station (by far) in the area and the inclusion of drive-thru fast food. To make matters worse, the ONLY egress point is on to Duckhorn Blvd., a small street that is already impacted by traffic from nearby UTC. Regardless if a round-about is added, anyone who knows the traffic patterns will tell you the amount of traffic this will add is a recipe for disaster. Literally. I am convinced that people will be injured or worse.
I oppose this project. As I have said in my previous comments, this project is not consistent with Natomas' masterplan. This lot was meant to be a low density employment center, not a high density thoroughfare. The Rezoning will bring in a 16 pump gas station, 2 drive-thrus and the sale of alcohol and tobacco and a ton of traffic along with it. The site is WRONG for this location. There are schools nearby, children walking along Duckhorn dr. and families walking their dogs. I implore city counsel to consider the residents that will be affected by this rezoning and keep Natomas safe. Deny the application for rezoning.
Please do not approve this as-is. We have voiced our opposition to this project many times and feel as though our opinions are not being considered. We would like something here that is complementary to the neighborhood and in line with a Natomas master plan. I would encourage the developer to, seriously, talk to the residents about the types of businesses that would benefit our community.
I oppose the petition to rezone to allow the sale of alcohol and tobacco in our neighborhood! This is ridiculous. Why is this developer even being considered to sell alcohol and tobacco right next to a school and residential neighborhood.
My name is Chong Choe-Smith and I oppose this proposed development. I have written letters in opposition to this proposal. As mentioned there, the developer is seeking rights to develop that are far greater than established by the General Plan for our community, as designed and as others have subsequently relied in developing and owning property in the area. The proposed development would drastically increase the traffic congestion on Duckhorn Street, a two-lane street (one lane in each direction). The proposed development also would create a serious safety hazard in the area where families ride their bikes and walk/jog around the neighborhood. This is a small plot of land adjacent to two large developments of single-family residences and other homes and apartments. The developer purchased the land knowing its zoning limitations and should not be able to develop in a way that would decrease the property values and the enjoyment of land by owners nearby.
Our family opposes this project rezone application. I know that dozens of my neighbors will be tuning in for tonight's meeting (not planning to call in to save your time) but our HOA president has presented written correspondence to you that will speak on behalf of the neighborhood. Collectively, we would like to see the developer proceed with the original plan presented a few years ago and move away from the modifications that the developer has put in place as part of their rezoning application.
The issue here is that the developer has a workable plan in place to build businesses, but wants to REZONE to add two large drive-thrus, a very large 24 hour gas station that sell liquor and tobacco on a tiny plot of land. Even worse, this busy, populated center will exit *only* onto Duckhorn Drive, which is used by residents of an apartment complex buildings and two large housing developments along this road, as well as a huge school (UTI), bikers, kids walking to/from school, and consumers/employees of businesses along this road, among others. Residents would have a huge increase in noise, light pollution, and pollution. I know it’s in the future, but gasoline is going away per Governor Newson in 2034.
It also calls for cutting down many mature trees along Duckhorn Drive. Natomas is already lacking in mature shade trees, a common feature in more well-to-do areas and essential for the health of the local community. The homes in this part of North Natomas are already packed together.
I am writing to ask you to agree with city staff and deny the application for rezone of “Gateway West”.
-Constituents have written detailed letters outlining reasons why this project is flawed.
-Constituents have spent hours at community meetings urging compromise and change with little headway.
-Constituents have written comments in opposition in online message boards and on media articles.
-You have a 197 page report on this agenda item which includes enough emails in opposition to make your eyes tired.
-Finally, you have a staff recommendation for denial of rezone.
I truly hope you have had the time to review the proposal and understand it’s flaws in full.
This proposal is not about a Starbucks, a gas station, or even a hotel. This is about a rezone. A rezone to change land meant for employment center serving the community, to instead allow for a car-centric commercial development serving primarily freeway traffic. A rezone opposed by many, benefiting very few.
I write as a Natomas resident and your constituent in opposition to the proposed rezone of the Gateway West project at Arena Blvd. and Duckhorn Dr. Local opposition to this proposed rezone is vehement based on many compound factors, most of which are already included in the city staff report. While our voices went unheard at the Planning and Design Commission meeting due to a "technical issue" which only allowed in project supporters, these factors were also raised by commissioners and deserve your attention:
- This rezone is unnecessary as there is already an approved project at this location.
- This rezone does not fit community needs.
- The site is too small, and the egress road cannot handle this amount of traffic.
- There will be significant environmental impacts.
- Removing mature city trees is a gross injustice.
I respectfully request your support of Sacramento residents in denying this rezone.
We oppose this rezone application. In 2017, this developer presented a plan that promised to provide a place for casual dining and spaces for families to gather outdoors (which are lacking in this neighborhood). Fast forward to what appears to be a sneaky and distasteful plan to pursue a rezone permit that replaces the original plan with what is tantamount to a freeway stop over. You may have noticed in the small print early this year, they planned to erect a 70-foot high freeway sign that would advertise this 24 hour, refueling station and car wash to passing motorists. Since the 1990s there has been a master plan for North Natomas that prohibits this type of commercial use of property. You may have noticed that commercial developments in N. Natomas steer clear of residential areas (by design) and yet THIS developer doesn't seem to recognize that. Hey developer, please put your money where your mouth was in 2017 and you will find support for what you bring to this neighborhood.
I oppose this project. A 16-pump gas station, sale of tobacco and alcohol, 2 drive thrus bring no benefit to our Natomas community. According to the City folks 60% of the people this will serve will be motorist from the freeway. This begs the question, who is this project really for? Please deny this project.
I agree with City staff, and the City Council should vote to deny the applicant's request. The applicant should propose uses that are allowed by the Community Plan and current zoning. This neighborhood was not meant to be a destination for travelers who have no interest in Natomas. South Natomas is a good example of how neighborhood commercial uses should be allowed, not freeway-oriented commercial uses. Additionally, losing 23 trees that are healthy and growing, should not be allowed...take the needed space from within the site itself before changing an existing pedestrian environment. Finally, the Community Plan was created to balance VMT with housing and jobs. Highway commercial will throw off that balance and induce VMT from freeway travelers, and as such, a VMT analysis should be required of the applicant.
The primary issue is the traffic / safety issue that will undoubtedly arise if the rezoning is approved, allowing drive-thru fast food. In fact, I believe the developer knows this as they requested a study to add an additional egress point onto Arena Blvd, necessitated by their proposed design / capacity expectations. The study was completed and unfortunately, it was determined that it was not feasible. The developers did NOT sufficiently alter their design, instead doubling down on a max vehicle proposal which includes the largest gas station (by far) in the area and the inclusion of drive-thru fast food. To make matters worse, the ONLY egress point is on to Duckhorn Blvd., a small street that is already impacted by traffic from nearby UTC. Regardless if a round-about is added, anyone who knows the traffic patterns will tell you the amount of traffic this will add is a recipe for disaster. Literally. I am convinced that people will be injured or worse.
I oppose this project. As I have said in my previous comments, this project is not consistent with Natomas' masterplan. This lot was meant to be a low density employment center, not a high density thoroughfare. The Rezoning will bring in a 16 pump gas station, 2 drive-thrus and the sale of alcohol and tobacco and a ton of traffic along with it. The site is WRONG for this location. There are schools nearby, children walking along Duckhorn dr. and families walking their dogs. I implore city counsel to consider the residents that will be affected by this rezoning and keep Natomas safe. Deny the application for rezoning.
Please do not approve this as-is. We have voiced our opposition to this project many times and feel as though our opinions are not being considered. We would like something here that is complementary to the neighborhood and in line with a Natomas master plan. I would encourage the developer to, seriously, talk to the residents about the types of businesses that would benefit our community.
I oppose the petition to rezone to allow the sale of alcohol and tobacco in our neighborhood! This is ridiculous. Why is this developer even being considered to sell alcohol and tobacco right next to a school and residential neighborhood.
My name is Chong Choe-Smith and I oppose this proposed development. I have written letters in opposition to this proposal. As mentioned there, the developer is seeking rights to develop that are far greater than established by the General Plan for our community, as designed and as others have subsequently relied in developing and owning property in the area. The proposed development would drastically increase the traffic congestion on Duckhorn Street, a two-lane street (one lane in each direction). The proposed development also would create a serious safety hazard in the area where families ride their bikes and walk/jog around the neighborhood. This is a small plot of land adjacent to two large developments of single-family residences and other homes and apartments. The developer purchased the land knowing its zoning limitations and should not be able to develop in a way that would decrease the property values and the enjoyment of land by owners nearby.
Our family opposes this project rezone application. I know that dozens of my neighbors will be tuning in for tonight's meeting (not planning to call in to save your time) but our HOA president has presented written correspondence to you that will speak on behalf of the neighborhood. Collectively, we would like to see the developer proceed with the original plan presented a few years ago and move away from the modifications that the developer has put in place as part of their rezoning application.
The issue here is that the developer has a workable plan in place to build businesses, but wants to REZONE to add two large drive-thrus, a very large 24 hour gas station that sell liquor and tobacco on a tiny plot of land. Even worse, this busy, populated center will exit *only* onto Duckhorn Drive, which is used by residents of an apartment complex buildings and two large housing developments along this road, as well as a huge school (UTI), bikers, kids walking to/from school, and consumers/employees of businesses along this road, among others. Residents would have a huge increase in noise, light pollution, and pollution. I know it’s in the future, but gasoline is going away per Governor Newson in 2034.
It also calls for cutting down many mature trees along Duckhorn Drive. Natomas is already lacking in mature shade trees, a common feature in more well-to-do areas and essential for the health of the local community. The homes in this part of North Natomas are already packed together.
I am writing to ask you to agree with city staff and deny the application for rezone of “Gateway West”.
-Constituents have written detailed letters outlining reasons why this project is flawed.
-Constituents have spent hours at community meetings urging compromise and change with little headway.
-Constituents have written comments in opposition in online message boards and on media articles.
-You have a 197 page report on this agenda item which includes enough emails in opposition to make your eyes tired.
-Finally, you have a staff recommendation for denial of rezone.
I truly hope you have had the time to review the proposal and understand it’s flaws in full.
This proposal is not about a Starbucks, a gas station, or even a hotel. This is about a rezone. A rezone to change land meant for employment center serving the community, to instead allow for a car-centric commercial development serving primarily freeway traffic. A rezone opposed by many, benefiting very few.
Hello Mayor Steinberg and Councilmembers -
I write as a Natomas resident and your constituent in opposition to the proposed rezone of the Gateway West project at Arena Blvd. and Duckhorn Dr. Local opposition to this proposed rezone is vehement based on many compound factors, most of which are already included in the city staff report. While our voices went unheard at the Planning and Design Commission meeting due to a "technical issue" which only allowed in project supporters, these factors were also raised by commissioners and deserve your attention:
- This rezone is unnecessary as there is already an approved project at this location.
- This rezone does not fit community needs.
- The site is too small, and the egress road cannot handle this amount of traffic.
- There will be significant environmental impacts.
- Removing mature city trees is a gross injustice.
I respectfully request your support of Sacramento residents in denying this rezone.
We oppose this rezone application. In 2017, this developer presented a plan that promised to provide a place for casual dining and spaces for families to gather outdoors (which are lacking in this neighborhood). Fast forward to what appears to be a sneaky and distasteful plan to pursue a rezone permit that replaces the original plan with what is tantamount to a freeway stop over. You may have noticed in the small print early this year, they planned to erect a 70-foot high freeway sign that would advertise this 24 hour, refueling station and car wash to passing motorists. Since the 1990s there has been a master plan for North Natomas that prohibits this type of commercial use of property. You may have noticed that commercial developments in N. Natomas steer clear of residential areas (by design) and yet THIS developer doesn't seem to recognize that. Hey developer, please put your money where your mouth was in 2017 and you will find support for what you bring to this neighborhood.
I oppose this project. A 16-pump gas station, sale of tobacco and alcohol, 2 drive thrus bring no benefit to our Natomas community. According to the City folks 60% of the people this will serve will be motorist from the freeway. This begs the question, who is this project really for? Please deny this project.
I agree with City staff, and the City Council should vote to deny the applicant's request. The applicant should propose uses that are allowed by the Community Plan and current zoning. This neighborhood was not meant to be a destination for travelers who have no interest in Natomas. South Natomas is a good example of how neighborhood commercial uses should be allowed, not freeway-oriented commercial uses. Additionally, losing 23 trees that are healthy and growing, should not be allowed...take the needed space from within the site itself before changing an existing pedestrian environment. Finally, the Community Plan was created to balance VMT with housing and jobs. Highway commercial will throw off that balance and induce VMT from freeway travelers, and as such, a VMT analysis should be required of the applicant.