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April 27, 2022
Central El Dorado Hills Specific Plan
Revised project is more of the same via different road Sel Richard Staff writer The El Dorado County Planning Commission on April 28 will hear Parking Development’s proposal for 1,000 homes along El Dorado Hills Boulevard. The Central El Dorado Hills Specific Plan has been in the works for nearly a decade, sparking much community ire as it hinges on a county General Plan amendment to allow zoning to be changed from recreational facilities-high intensity to medium and high density residential for the now defunct executive golf course at the El Dorado Hills Boulevard and Serrano Parkway intersection. In 2015 more than 91% of El Dorado Hills voters advised against the zoning change. In January 2020 almost 500 residents turned out to protest the project at a public hearing held at District Church. The Planning Commission’s final recommendation was then delayed due to coronavirus-induced shelter-in-place orders as well as consideration of an updated traffic evaluation metric, VMT or Vehicle Miles Traveled. Only Planning Commission Chair Jon Vegna was present for the four previous hearings. As the remaining commissioners are new to the
project, the April hearing will be conducted as an informational orientation. The commission currently plans to hold deliberations on May 12 during which a final recommendation is anticipated to be forwarded to the county board of supervisors. The public is welcome to attend both meetings, inperson or virtually. Parker intends to build over two areas, Pedregal and Serrano Westside, on which lies the old golf course — 237 residential units are specified for the Pedregal area, while Serrano Westside would house 763 units. Density ranges between less than one to more than 20 units per acre, with the highest density slated for the golf course parcel. Eleven acres are set aside for civic-limited commercial use and a 15-acre village park would sit alongside Highway 50. The plan also calls for a total 190 total acres of open space/parks and 1.5 miles of a Class I bike and pedestrian trail. The latest proposal’s only shift from previous iterations lies in the connection of El Dorado Hills Boulevard to Silva Valley Parkway via Country Club Drive. “We have changed the Country Club Drive alignment to start at Serrano Parkway as opposed n
See CEDHSP, page A5
Saratoga Park bringing zipline fun to EDH Semon gets a six-figure farewell
Sel Richard Staff writer Construction has begun on Saratoga Park and its accompanying trail, recreational areas that are part of Saratoga Estates — the gated, 317-unit, singlefamily residential development located north of Highway 50 just east of the Sacramento/El Dorado County Line along Saratoga Way. The 2-acre public park, located on the northwest corner of Saratoga Way and Wilson Boulevard, will feature play areas for 2-5 and 5-12 age groups, inclusive play elements, a shade structure, lighted parking lot and a restroom. But the most anticipated draw of the park is the future playground zipline. The only other park in the vicinity that sports a zipline is the private park within the Saratoga Estates community, an amenity that has proven somewhat of a destination. “The zipline in the (private) park has been so successful that it’s brought in people from all over the place,” admitted Price Walker of Elliott Homes. “This park will also have one and hopefully will take some pressure off of that one.” He assured that although the zipline within the development is down for maintenance, it will be back up and working soon. Due to supply chain issues with equipment, Walker forecasted that the new park will likely take another 10 months
Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
Village Life photo by Sel Richard
Letting the dirt fly on the new park are, left to right: Rick Hureaux with Innovative Construction Services, EDHCSD Parks and Recreation Director Mark Hornstra, District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl, Vice President of Product Development for Elliott Homes Price Walker, President of Fuhrman Leamy Land Group Steve Fuhrman, CSD General Manager Kevin Loewen, CSD Board Director Ben Paulsen, CSD Board Director Sean Hansen and CSD Principal Planner Tauni Fessler. to complete. “We’re ready to have it done quicker,” he said. “It’s a frustrating time. We’re really excited to get it up and open.” The trailhead and open space are complete. The approximately 1.7 acres
located between Highway 50 to the south and Saratoga Way to the north cannot be used for active play. It is a passive-use, landscaped area and accepted n
See Park, page A2
Don Semon stepped down as El Dorado County’s Health and Human Services Agency director April 19 and received nine months severance pay — about $165,000 — on the way out. Semon will also receive an additional $90,000 for leave balances, resulting in a final paycheck totaling $255,000. Semon did not respond when Village Life inquired about the reason(s) for his departure but the paper did receive a statement from Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton through the county’s Communications and Outreach Director Carla Hass by email, which states, “Mr. Semon has submitted his voluntary resignation and will explore other opportunities outside the county.” According to the statement, the county agreed to pay out Semon the nine months severance pay, plus any other payouts to which he is n
See severAnce, page A2
INSIDE NEWS Vol. 29
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issue no. 17
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Sports, B2
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