The Bickford Ranch development, a large-scale housing projectthat could bring 1,800 new homes and an 18-hole golf course toPlacer County, has been proposed by U.S. Homes. In addition, theproject may include a senior citizens community, two clubhouses, aschool, parks and trails, a commercial retail center, a firestation and a sheriff's substation.

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

The project has been conditionally approved by the planningcommission, but local groups and residents are not satisfied withthe revisions. For instance, the county requires U.S. Homes tomonitor storm-water runoff from the golf course from contaminantsbut not runoff from the Bickford Homes. Residents feel that thedeveloper should be responsible for both.