A Draft Environmental Impact Report is now available for the public to view for a proposed housing project that could bring as many as 685 single-family homes to Wheatland, the city said Monday.
Called the Heritage Oaks East Project, the site consists of about 148.97 acres of undeveloped land that is located west of State Route 65 and south of Main Street in Wheatland. According to the report, it is situated near Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm.
The environmental report will allow the public to “consider the potential environmental effects” of the proposed project, the city said. According to the city, its General Plan designates the Heritage Oaks East Project site as “Low Density Residential and Park.” The project site is zoned for Planned Development and is considered flat and vacant land.
“The proposed project would include the development of up to 685 single-family residences, as well as various associated improvements, including, but not limited to, several community parks, a landscape corridor, open space, an internal roadway system, and various landscaping and utility improvements,” city officials said. “The proposed project would require city approval of a General Plan Amendment, Rezone and associated General Development Plan, Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map, and Site Plan and Design Review … It should be noted that the proposed project currently includes 681 proposed units; however, all entitlements are based on a maximum of 685 units.”
Officials said the Heritage Oaks East Project site is “not on any hazardous waste sites.”
According to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), impacts to “all California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental topic areas would be less than significant or less-than-significant with the implementation of mitigation measures, with the exception of impacts related to air quality and greenhouse gases,” which the report “determined would remain significant and unavoidable,” officials said.
The public comment period for the report will begin on Wednesday and run through Aug. 16. Written comments are due to the city by 5 p.m. on Aug. 16. Officials said written comments should be submitted to Kevin Valente, Senior Planner, Wheatland Community Development Department, 111 C St., Wheatland, CA 95692. For more information, call 916-372-6100 or email [email protected].
“Reviewers should focus on the adequacy of the DEIR in discussing possible impacts upon the environment, ways in which adverse effects might be minimized, and alternatives to the proposed project,” city officials said.
Currently, there is no public meeting or hearing scheduled on the proposed project, the city said.
In recent years, the city of Wheatland has embarked on several infrastructure projects as more housing developments are built and proposed. On June 12, members of Caltrans and Wheatland city officials commemorated the start of a pavement rehabilitation and improvement project along State Route 65 between State Street and Evergreen Drive that will effectively improve pavement on this road segment as well as pedestrian and bike facilities, the Appeal previously reported.
According to Caltrans officials, this rehabilitation project will upgrade drainage systems, implement a class I multi-use bike path, enhance crosswalk visibility and add a traffic signal on the intersection of McDevitt Drive.
“There are several key components that are crucial to enhancing this community’s infrastructure. We are obviously rehabilitating the pavement. We are adding bike lanes, upgrading drainage systems. We are also making our facilities more accessible by ensuring that they meet the Americans with Disabilities Act standards,” Caltrans District 3 Acting Director Sergio Aceves previously said. “These visionary infrastructure investments are giving Caltrans the tools to include sustainability and resiliency of our transportation system.”
At the time, Wheatland Mayor Rick West praised the street project for its potential in reducing traffic volume.
“When the Lincoln Bypass was completed several years ago, it was said in regards to congestion on Highway 65, that Wheatland is the new Lincoln. … That’s true as we see traffic back up and increase on Highway 65 in Wheatland for a mile or so in either direction,” West previously said. “This project is really going to help out in that respect.”
Construction for the pavement rehabilitation project began on June 1. Caltrans officials anticipated its completion by this winter.
