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SACRAMENTO-

A developer has decided to move ahead with a plan to develop the largest vacant space in the community of Antelope.  Neighbors are concerned about what the final plan will look like.

“Having a downtown would be nice,” Antelope resident Tim Edwards said. “Just no more pizza places, please.”

antelope development
A map of the proposed development.

Antelope has a bit of an identity crisis.  The community of 45,000 people is served by a scattered network of strip malls and residents want more.

“There is no nice sit down restaurant in the Antelope community. We have to spend our money in Citrus Heights or Roseville,” said Jenny Carrick, Chair of the Antelope Community Planning Advisory Council.

Residents will get that chance to share their ideas and concerns now that developer Michael Winn has acquired the 128 acre East Barrett Ranch property.

He wants to build around 700 homes on the parcel that’s surrounded by homes and some businesses, more than what is in the area’s general plan. He also wants reduce retail spacee which isn’t in high demand these days.

Not all residents see eye-to-eye.  Don Julio Boulevard that runs throughout the proposed development is an example.Some want to expand it to four lanes to accommodate the heavier traffic, others want it to remain two lanes for that residential feel.

While some want to retain a family atmosphere, others are wary of too many homes.

“With the water situation why build more houses…build more businesses, create some more jobs,” said Edwards.

And some are concerned about how many apartments and low income housing units will be placed here, and not just because it might lower housing values.

“Teenage activity with drugs alcohol and stuff and I have two girls so I think…’it makes you nervous?’…yeah,” said homeowner Natalya Lyashenko.

Community leaders see it as an opportunity for residents to speak up about concerns before a plan is finalized. They say a balance may be what’s called for, and that means compromise.  Carrick says better to speak up now rather than after ground is broken.

“This is really a time for folks to come out and come together and look at what do we really want to do for our last big giant project in Antelope,” said Carrick.

Carrick says the developer is willing to listen to input from residents and there may be a number of community meetings before a plan is approved but the county planning commissioning a year or more.