Loomis Planning Commission approves 'The Reserve' subdivision on Rocklin Road

The Loomis Planning Commission last week approved "The Reserve," a 26-acre, 20-home subdivision at Rocklin and Barton roads. The Reserve by Premier Homes was formerly part of a 40-acre parcel, separated last year to create a 13.78-acre lot for a future Loomis Union School District campus on the corner. "This is very important for the school district," said Al Frangione, Loomis Union School District facilities director, at the Dec. 16 commission meeting. "We definitely support this project." The 26 acres will be split into 20 residential lots, ranging from 40,000 to 136,612 square feet. The average lot size is about 54,628 square feet, or 1.2 acres, staff said. Lots 5 through 10 include portions of the 4.6-acre pond in the southwest corner of the property. To satisfy inclusionary rules, three partially attached accessory dwelling units are included in the project, with only two required (10 percent). Developers will improve another 1.2 acres of right-of-way for Rocklin Road and Barton Road, according to the report. Access will be through a new, private cul-de-sac, Reserve Court, connecting to Barton. "I think the widening of Barton and putting a pocket onto Wells (Ave.) is a great thing. It's a very fast area of town. That will be a nice improvement," said Commission Chair Tim Onderko. The site is zoned rural-residential. Surrounding uses include rural-residential to the west, residential-estate to the north and residential-agricultural to the east and south. Loomis Planning Director Christy Consolini said of 496 trees in the area, 297 were rated as dying or unhealthy. Of the 195 trees on the building site, 103 will be saved, according to the plan. The commission specifically approved a tentative subdivision map, variances for fence heights and setbacks on some lots. The commission agreed to amend conditions that an interior sidewalk be eliminated, and frontage trails should have a "hard surface" like an asphalt path. Onderko and other commissioners praised Premier Homes for the natural environment preservation. "I appreciate your effort to preserve the quality and the things we all love about Loomis," said the chairman.