Published
in Rio Linda Elverta News May 20, 2004 - Scroll for other articles
Bait Shop expansion being debated
CPAC
to decide June 8
by Jay O'Brien
The Rio Linda/Elverta Community Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC)
discussed the proposed expansion of Elkhorn Bait and Tackle for over
two hours at its May 11, 2004 meeting. After a ten minute recess
declared as the item began, the proposal to rezone 2.17 acres at the
southwest corner of Elkhorn Boulevard and 20th Street to "General
Commercial" was discussed. The owner, Richard Boggs, explained how he
plans to build three new buildings on the property, replacing the
present bait and tackle shop.
Boggs plans a new 13,000 square foot building to replace the present
building, where he would sell bait, tackle, off sale beer and wine, and
guns. One new 2400 square foot building would be used to sell boats. He
has not determined what business would occupy the third building he
proposes, another 2400 square foot structure. He plans to add parking
spaces, landscaping, and masonry walls between his property and the
adjacent residents. All access to his proposed commercial buildings,
for deliveries and by customers, would be from 20th Street, a street
that Mr. Boggs told CPAC is presently 12 feet wide. There would be no
access directly from Elkhorn Boulevard.
Nearby residents related many complaints and concerns about the present
and proposed activities at Elkhorn Bait and Tackle. Related were
assertions of traffic and parking problems on 20th Street, trash
deposited on adjacent properties, smell from "porta-pottys" used by
customers, the discharge of firearms by employees and customers into
trees and to kill rabbits and cats on and off the subject property,
concerns about drainage, noise, lights and possible non-compliance with
existing zoning agreements.
One resident, however, countered the others, pointing out that he had
never been bothered or affected by operations at Elkhorn Bait and
Tackle.
The proposed General Commercial site is surrounded by residential
property zoned "Agricultural-Residential" (AR).
The existing business, on 0.69 acres at 6745 20th Street, originally
sold only bait grown on the premises, a use permitted in AR zones. The
0.69 acre portion was rezoned "Limited Commercial" years ago to
accommodate an off-sale liquor license, and the remaining 1.58 acres in
the original parcel was left as AR. "Limited Commercial" zoning
facilitates "mom and pop" small businesses in otherwise residential
communities.
As the previous zoning stipulations were not available for review by
the CPAC, the item was tabled until the next CPAC meeting.
First District County Supervisor Roger Dickinson arrived at the CPAC
meeting during the recess at the beginning of the Elkhorn Bait and
Tackle item. He left the meeting during the item without making any
public statement.
A proposed Cingular Wireless addition to the 500 foot tower at the west
end of Delano Street was delayed until the June 8 meeting, as the tower
owner, American Tower Corporation, did not have a representative
present. Residents present for this discussion asked the County to
review the present building permits and inspections plus the existing
zoning conditions imposed with a recent addition to this tower,
contending that zoning conditions and permitting conditions may be out
of compliance.
Two lot split applications and one application for an accessory
dwelling were approved unanimously by those CPAC members present.
As many as 40 were in attendance at this meeting, including CPAC
members Joe Brusca (acting Chairman), Zack Arbios, Jeff Bair, Donald
Logan, and Mary Nelson. Sacramento County Principal Planner Leighann
Moffitt represented the County.
The next regular CPAC meeting is scheduled for June 8, 2004, at 7:00 PM
in the Community Center. Public attendance and participation is
encouraged.
Published
in Rio Linda Elverta News May 20, 2004 - Scroll for other articles
West
Nile Virus in Rio Linda?
Not on Erwin Hayer's watch!
by Jay O'Brien
Rio Linda's flood and drainage expert Erwin Hayer paid close attention
to the "West Nile Virus Update" flyer that was included in this month's
Sacramento County Utilities bill. It said "After the Rain, Remember to
Drain!", "Eliminate standing water in your yard". It provided
information on the West Nile virus and the efforts in California to
contain the disease.
Erwin, concerned about standing water at 20th and Elkhorn, attempted to
get Sacramento County's attention last year to no avail. When he was
reminded by his utility bill, he tried again, but
this time with email to the Sacramento County Public Health Officer. He
also asked Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) to take action
to mitigate the mosquito potential in the standing water in the new
Robla Creek riparian area west of Dry Creek Road south of the Bell
Acqua Apartments.
Erwin got prompt answers and action from our County
officials.
Butch Hodgkins responded, "As SAFCA's Executive Director, I concur that
is potentially a serious problem and SAFCA will address it immediately.
I have personally asked the Sacramento Mosquito
Abatement District to conduct an inspection of the site as rapidly as
possible..."
(Pictured:
Rick Herrera looks for Mosquito larvae in Robla Creek)
Glennah Trochet M.D., Sacramento County Public Health Officer,
responded that she had contacted the Sacramento-Yolo County Mosquito
and Vector Control District (MVCD) on Erwin's behalf.
On Tuesday, May 18th, MVCD's Rick Herrera met Hayer and walked the
problem areas. John Bassett from SAFCA was present during the
inspection of the Robla Creek area. Herrera drew samples from the
standing water and reviewed it with his trained eyes.
Standing in the Robla Creek riparian area next to a pond with standing
water, Herrera said "Right now, there is nothing in here, and it would
be safe to tell anybody that. But you can't promise that for the entire
summer." Herrera said he would plant mosquito fish in the ponds
and place the area on a regular watch.
Herrera found mosquito larvae at the 20th and Elkhorn site, and
prepared chemicals to remove the infestation. Fortunately this was
identified to him before mosquitoes were produced.
Mr Herrera expressed his appreciation for the identification of the
potential problem areas Hayer identified.
Thanks, Erwin!
References:
http://www.sac-yolomvcd.com
http://westnile.ca.gov
http://www.sacdhhs.com
Published
in Rio Linda Elverta News May 20, 2004 - Scroll for other articles
Safely above the
flood waters
by Jay O'Brien
Providing long-awaited relief to flood-weary residents, the Sacramento
County Department of Water Resources is managing a program to elevate
flood-prone homes. A grant from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) enables the county to pay 75 percent of the eligible
costs to elevate threatened homes. The homeowners pay the
balance. Under the FEMA grant, 45 homes in Sacramento County have
been elevated. A recent grant increase of $1 million will allow the
elevation of 17 additional homes.
Typical costs for home elevations average about $60,000 depending on
how high the home must be elevated and the home’s individual
characteristics: size, shape, condition, number of stories and existing
foundation. Homes are elevated by placing beams under the
foundation and jacking it up. After the house is raised above the
100 year flood plain, a suitable foundation is constructed under it to
ensure stability. While the average home “lift” is about three to
four feet, some are lifted as high as eight feet.
Homeowners undergo a pre-qualifying process to
determine if their home meets grant guidelines. Once guidelines
are met, a ranking system determines the sequence of the home
elevations. A home that has flooded several times would be
elevated ahead of a home that is at risk, but hasn’t yet flooded.
Homeowners who believe their home qualifies for the home elevation
program should contact Mark Rains at 874-8649. Those who qualify
are placed on a waiting list for assistance.
Published
in Rio Linda Elverta News May 20, 2004 - Scroll for other articles
Hayer Dam
Project Final Design
by Mick Klasson
Citizens interested in the final design of the Hayer Dam Renovation and
Dry Creek Debris Removal Project gathered Monday May 10 to learn of the
final project design. The project is sponsored by the Sacramento
Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) and Sacramento County Department of
Regional Parks, Recreation and Open Space (County Parks), with partial
grant funding by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
The project components are being phased to include removal of the
existing dam superstructure, bridge, low level creek crossing and
downstream debris levees in summer of 2004. A rock weir and other
erosion control measures will be constructed at the dam site to prevent
increased erosion in the stream that could result from the demolition
work.
In 2005, a water diversion facility is planned that will allow water to
be taken from the creek under existing water rights for the Bell’ Acqua
ski lakes and SAFCA mitigation areas. Also in 2005, a public
pedestrian, equestrian, and bicycle bridge will be constructed at the
site.
The diversion was previously planned for 2004 but the terms of a
cost-sharing agreement between the lake owners and SAFCA are still
being developed. “It’s a difficult negotiation,” said SAFCA
Agency Counsel Tim Washburn. “There is no back-off from SAFCA
here in doing this project. We’re going forward.”
The other major component of the project discussed at the May 10
meeting was the decision to lower the existing bridge abutments to
about three feet above the dam sill elevation during the first summer
of construction. Project engineer Tony Barela indicated that
leaving the high abutments would create a steep transition between them
and more gentle slopes to be created around the bridge approaches
. Lowering the abutments would avoid the costs of reinforcing
them against failure once earth and the dam support structure are
removed..
SAFCA’s Board of Directors will consider a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with County Parks at its regular meeting Thursday May 20 at 3:00
in the County of Sacramento of Supervisors Chambers.
Construction contracts are being sought now, with construction
scheduled to start in July.
One more citizen advisory committee meeting may be held to discuss the
project prior to the start of construction. Contact Mick Klasson
at klassonm@sbcglobal.net <mailto:klassonm@sbcglobal.net> if you
are interested in attending.
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