CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - At the November 10 meeting, the Citrus Heights City Council held the public hearing and final vote on the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan, which will guide redevelopment of the 100-acre Sunrise Mall site—creating a new downtown, and a new heart for Citrus Heights. Interim City Manager Chris Boyd said that the finalized plan comes after “hundreds of hours of research, an incredible level of expertise, and the unprecedented amount of community and owner engagement."

Consultant firm Gensler worked with City staff to develop the plan, and Project Manager Nate Cherry said the community was deeply involved in process: “People really want to see it happen, and they’re really optimistic…they roll their sleeves up and they want to be a part of it. And it’s a coauthored plan with the community and leadership. So, it really captures what Citrus Heights is all about.”

The plan will encourage mixed-use redevelopment of the site over the next 20 years, creating a destination for unique dining, retail, and entertainment in addition to offices, hotels, and residential areas. Also central to the plan are community gathering spaces, walkable streets, plazas, and open spaces.

Cherry said, “This is a job-creating engine, because it’s so diversified.” With construction jobs and long-term jobs on the site, the project is estimated to generate $99 million in taxes to the City over 20 years, including $18 million in property tax, $30 million in sales tax, and $51 million in hotel occupancy tax. “That’s going to raise everybody’s boat,” said Cherry. “That’s going to increase property values, it’s going to create jobs, and it’s going to diversify the economy, which is going to make Citrus Height’s quality of life that much better.”

The City of Citrus Heights doesn’t own any of the mall property, so the actual redevelopment will have to be undertaken by the various owners, all of whom have been involved in the creation of the Specific Plan. The majority owner, Namdar Realty Group, submitted a letter ahead of the public hearing to express their support for the plan and thank City staff for their “diligent efforts to be collaborative in establishing the vision for the future of Sunrise Mall…We look forward to advancing our plans for the site.”

Councilmember Tim Schaefer stressed the importance of having the owners’ involved in the process and having their support for the plan. He said that when the idea was first presented, he saw “100 acres worth of hurdles.” But now, Schaefer said, “We’re not done crossing the hurdles yet, but…I think we found our stride; I think we’ll be able to forge forward.”

Vice Mayor Porsche Middleton cited the enthusiastic public participation in the plan, and said “This is really a community-driven vision. All of that input lets us know that our community has serious buy-in, they’re ready for this change, and they’re excited about what’s coming in the future.” Middleton said, “It’s bold, it’s big, but it reflects the dreams of Citrus Heights.”

The Council voted unanimously to adopt the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan, certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), amend the General Plan to change the mall’s designation from General Commercial to a new designation of Marketplace Mixed Use, and rezone the site from Shopping Center to Special Planning Area.