Loomis Planning Commission approves ranchette project

Loomis officials gave thumbs up last month to the 98-acre Carmenere Estates vineyard ranchette project featuring 24 lots. After two hours of lengthy, mostly positive discussion Oct. 28, the Loomis Planning Commission unanimously approved the 98-acre, 24-lot project along Delmar Avenue. The project would subdivide the site into 24 single-family residential lots, ranging from 2.3 to 4.7 acres, with five accessory dwelling units and associated utilities. The project is broken into two sites, a 37-acre western area and a 61-acre eastside, split down the middle by Delmar. Two new roadways off Delmar will be built, and officials stressed there will be no access from nearby Bankhead Road except for emergencies. Unused Antelope Creek water rights will feed a central vineyard. While supplying a nearby winery, the grapevines will also be used as a landscape feature, grown along residential lots. "Ultimately, this is designed to maintain a rural, farm-like approach to the development," said applicant Mike Fournier. The environmentally friendly plan was applauded by multiple speakers at the monthly commission meeting. "This is one of those projects that actually works," said Al Frangione, facilities director of Loomis Union School District. "I'm a planner, I'm a builder, I'm a designer. This is one of those projects I would strongly encourage the Town of Loomis to seriously move forward with." "I appreciate the desire to maintain the semi-rural landscape and topography there," said Commission Chair Tim Onderko. "The tree canopy. It's really what the people of the Town of Loomis are looking for." "I'm really excited about this project. There is so much demand, and Loomis is such a fantastic place to live," said local real estate broker Geoffrey Poulus. The unanimous vote recommends that the Town Council approve the vesting tentative map and environmental pass. "It's been a long time since Loomis looked at a project of this scope," said Onderko.