Loomis planning commission hears timeline for general plan EIR, zoning updates and Costco grading

Christie, Loomis’s planning director, told the Planning Commission on March 28 that the administrative draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the town’s general plan update is expected to be released in a late May–early June timeframe and that the town will open a 45‑day public review period once the draft is published.

“We're looking now at a late May, early June, timeframe for the EIR release, for a 45 day public review period,” Christie said, and added that staff plans a joint workshop with the planning commission and town council after the draft is released to gather public and official input.

Christie said staff is also preparing a zoning ordinance update to implement programs in the town’s adopted housing element. “So those zoning ordinance[s]… it’ll be specifically for those programs in the housing element that require changes to the zoning ordinance,” she said, adding that the housing element was adopted on Aug. 17, 2021 and that the town has a timely-update obligation tied to that adoption.

On current large projects, Christie reported staff is continuing work with the Hidden Grove applicant to try to bring the proposed project into consistency with the general plan but said there was nothing new to report at the meeting. Regarding the planned Costco, Christie said town staff has been working with the company on plan submittals and conditions of approval; she reported Costco has “been given a green light for their initial grading,” and that staff is again looking at a possible fall opening date, weather permitting.

Other operational items Christie raised included no change on the Loomis RV Campground since last summer, town hall public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–noon), the installation of a new mural on the ACE Hardware Annex, the next planning commission meeting on April 25 at 7 p.m., and a town cleanup day scheduled for May 13 (the town noted mattresses will not be accepted that day).

Why this matters: the draft EIR and subsequent zoning changes could affect land use rules, allowable housing programs and the timeline for several large development projects in Loomis. The commission did not vote on any project approvals at this meeting; Christie’s report focused on timing and staff work that will shape upcoming public review and formal hearings.

The commission asked clarifying questions about the cleanup day location and council goal-setting timing; Christie provided the dates and confirmed the cleanup-day details. The meeting then moved on to other agenda items and adjourned.