Developers and Opponents Bicker Over Proposed Bickford Ranch

PLACER COUNTY, CA-Last night, developers and opponents of the proposed Bickford Ranch development gathered last night to discuss the project with the Placer County Board of Supervisors.

The Bickford Ranch development, a large-scale housing project that could bring 1,800 new homes and an 18-hole golf course to Placer County, has been proposed by U.S. Homes. In addition, the project may include a senior citizens community, two clubhouses, a school, parks and trails, a commercial retail center, a fire station and a sheriff’s substation.

The 2,000-acre property, which is situated between Penryn and Lincoln off Sierra College Boulevard, has aroused concern amongst the community, as it is a former cattle ranch and one of the only remaining blue oak woodlands habitats in the county.

The project has been conditionally approved by the planning commission, but local groups and residents are not satisfied with the revisions. For instance, the county requires U.S. Homes to monitor storm-water runoff from the golf course from contaminants but not runoff from the Bickford Homes. Residents feel that the developer should be responsible for both.

Also, the community is worried about preserving the blue oaks woodlands, saying that the developer should reduce the amount of development for the project.

Another major issue is the potential increase in traffic and pollution. About 13,000 additional daily vehicles will be made when the development is complete.

The developers told the board and the community that they would build a traffic signal, widen the boulevard and support regional transportation projects and improvements.

The supervisors concluded the five-hour meeting by saying that they would review the questions brought up by the public, but did not say whether they would make a decision or continue the hearing.