January 27, 2025 Special City Council Meeting/Work Session 5:30 PM - 2026-01-27
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Rancho Cordova City Council received updates on countywide homelessness governance restructuring and SB 802, providing direction to support the county's recommended COC reconstitution option and maintain a neutral position on SB 802 pending amendments. The council also reviewed the Active Transportation Plan approaching final recommendations and provided direction on the Mills Crossing housing project, supporting pursuit of AHSC funding for the 60-unit Mill Station affordable multifamily project with approximately $6.3 million in local funding commitment.
Key Decisions (4)
Support for County Homelessness Governance Recommendation
Council provided feedback supporting the county's recommended option to reconstitute the existing Continuum of Care (COC) board with majority elected official membership rather than creating a new standalone board or JPA. Three council members present expressed support for the county recommendation.
Neutral Position on SB 802 (Ashby)
Council directed staff to maintain a neutral position on SB 802, which would create the Sacramento Area Housing and Homelessness Agency (SAHA) JPA with one seat for Rancho Cordova. The bill includes amendments preserving local control over residential/nonresidential impact fees and CDBG funding.
Active Transportation Plan Feedback
Council provided feedback on the draft Active Transportation Plan, which includes 38 policy/program recommendations and tier one priority projects estimated at significant investment. Plan will return in March for final adoption after February 20 public comment period ends.
Mill Station Affordable Multifamily Housing Direction
Council directed Related Housing to submit for ministerial design review (Option B) and pursue 2026 AHSC grant application for the 60-unit affordable housing project at the former Mills Crossing site. Project serves households earning up to 80% AMI with mix of 1-3 bedroom units.
Development Activity (6)
Mill Station Affordable Housing
60 units of affordable multifamily housing - 12 one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom, 24 three-bedroom units. Serves households up to 80% AMI. Includes community room and outdoor play area. Estimated local funding gap of $6.3 million. AHSC grant application targeting $30 million award ($18.7M housing, $11.3M transportation/bike-ped projects).
Mills Crossing Single Family Housing
Market rate single family housing component. Related has been reaching out to developers but receiving feedback about feasibility challenges due to small site size and elevated design aspirations not aligning with buyer profile for Folsom Boulevard submarket.
Asteria Flats Affordable Housing
Affordable housing project expected to request $5 million from Housing Trust Fund. Discussion scheduled for next Tuesday.
Crossings at Woodbury
Affordable housing project with $1.7 million already committed from local funding.
Mather Veterans Village Phase 5
Veterans housing project expected to request $6-8 million in local gap funding within next 1-2 years. Funding strategy still being determined.
Zinfandel Pedestrian Overcrossing
Pedestrian/bicycle overcrossing project. Groundbreaking scheduled for summer 2025.
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
City staff noted that housing along Folsom Boulevard is critical to supporting future retail development, with council members stating retail benefits won't be met without more population, particularly homeownership population.
Housing Demand
Market rate single family developers have expressed feasibility concerns about the Mills Crossing site due to small site size and elevated design aspirations not aligning with buyer profile for the Folsom Boulevard submarket.
Infrastructure
The AHSC grant program is expected to change after May 2026, separating housing and transportation components, which would reduce competitiveness for projects like Mill Station that benefit from synergies with nearby transit investments.
Sentiment
Council expressed strong support for active transportation investments as community amenities, noting that proximity to American River Parkway and bike trails is a leading reason residents choose to live in Rancho Cordova and likely improves property values.