Defend Granite Bay

Attention: In a surprise decision, the Board of Supervisors voted against the financing of a low income housing projecy which would have allowed the entire population of Penryn to fill plus allow rental units. Perhaps it is time to hold new development accountable for their fair share. Building 10% market rated units
Is quite “profitable” but does little to orovide housing needed by more than 50% of Placer population.

Placer County supervisors approve affordable housing project but vote down funding An affordable housing project in Penryn was approved, but Placer County supervisors voted no on the funding request. For video licensing inquiries, contact: ...

Attention!!

The following comments were sent on the proposed Hope Way Apartments which is seeking almost $11million in funding, construction or a one way roundabout and unknown costs for a ladder truck and associated fire fighting personnel in Penryn.

The hearing is tomorrow morning at 9:00 am. In person zoom was denied in violation of state law.
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Supervisors Gore, Landon, DeMattei, Jones and Gustafson,

Thank you for the opportunity to provide final comments on the proposed Penryn for-profit low-income housing project, Hope Way Apartments.

Defend Granite Bay is a California registered 501C3 whose mission is to educate residents on the planning process and decisions which impact their communities. For a decade, we have watched the county’s consistent pattern of practice in forgiving, in some cases illegitimately, affordable housing unit obligations of new development. As a result, the state is now prepared to take actions against the county for its failure to provide housing needed by significantly more than 50% of its residents.

As the governing body responsible for land use and the fiduciary body overseeing tax dollars, it is your obligation to “do the right thing.” To date, the total taxpayer costs of the Hope Way project have not been provided by CDRA to you or the public for review. While $10,800,000 is being requested to assist in the finance of the project, missing is the dollar amount for maintenance and management of the project, cost to provide adequate service level fire protection and cost of a single lane roundabout, which through extensive research is not considered a “benefit “or “good solution” for expediting fire evacuation.

Having some of the highest property taxes in the state due to “catch up” growth impact correction, taxpayers are entitled to understand what percent their property taxes will increase as a result of continued use of for-profit projects such as this rather than holding development responsible for their “fair share”. Relying on Bickford Ranch in-lieu fees is not prudent. To date, less than 50 units out of 1850 constructed. Fees could take more than a decade to accrue. In addition to expanding the staff and equipment of the Penryn Fire Department and constructing the single lane roundabout, the ongoing per unit cost, and impacts of a Loan and Funding program which ties up a significant portion of county monies which could be used more efficiently to product smaller and less invasive low income housing projects or programs to assist first-time buyers have not been disclosed.

Based on the available information, we respectfully request you condition approval of this project to 2-stories which will not require construction of a roundabout or ladder truck and associated firefighting personnel, is sized appropriately for a rural community in a high fire hazard zone and will not take the lion’s share of woefully abysmal in-lieu fees, reduce the buildable footprint to preserve riparian area and maintain appropriate setbacks and provide adequate parking for health and safety reasons.

Respectfully,

The Defend Granite Bay Board and members.

From our friends in Penryn. Please consider sending in comments in their support by Monday 12/15 at 5:00pm.

** Hope Way Public Comment Update **
In just the last few weeks, over 500 pages of correspondence have been submitted to the County record. The consensus is overwhelming. Your voices are loud and clear.

Here is the reality your neighbors and First Responders are telling the Board:

1) The developer is arguing that traffic congestion is merely a "driver inconvenience"—just a matter of waiting a few extra minutes in your car. When a road gridlocks during an emergency, congestion isn't about being late for dinner—it’s about survival. Just look to Paradise.

2) The Penryn Fire Protection District confirmed they do not own the ladder truck required to service the proposed 3-story buildings, nor can Station 38 house one. They also highlighted that the walls around the apartment create a potential egress disaster - something the Planning Commission also caught. Read their formal letter here --> https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/92401b99-ce58-41bd-aad1-6f5148566a24/downloads/c823861f-a326-40d2-b4a3-2a2b2723c0bf/Penryn%20Board%20Documents%2010.23.2025%20-%20Special%20Me.pdf?ver=1765585206983

3) There’s a wild detail in the applicant's latest traffic analysis. The design admits that during an evacuation, existing Penryn traffic has "priority" in the roundabout. This means new residents, the children at Bee Kind Preschool, and the Hope Lutheran Church congregation could be stuck, waiting for a break in traffic that may never come.

Let’s all work together to find safe housing solutions, not roll over for the sunk cost of a developer and planning department that didn’t perform their due diligence.

There’s still time to make your voice heard. Email your Board of Supervisors ([email protected]) and Show up at 9 am, December 16 at 11484 B Avenue in Auburn.

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