Folsom New Home Center

We all need a hug.

Getting ready for the 6th Annual Folsom Historical Society’s Golf Tournament

https://youtu.be/mqSvfeTTPhs

A question was raised on another site asking about the Folsom Plan area, so I am providing some background information here. In early 1999, the City of Folsom e...ntered into negotiations with Sacramento County relative to the 3,600 acres bounded by US 50, White Rock, Prairie City and the El Dorado County line. The reason negotiations were entered into because there had been at least 3 different projects that were about to be heard by the Sac County Board of Supervisors in that area, and the City had not been made aware of any of the projects being proposed at our border. Many claims have been made that the land would never be developed and they are simply not true. The initial objective of the negotiations (conducted as a 2 x 2 meeting between the City of Folsom (Miklos and myself) and Sacramento County (Ila Collin and Roger Niello), was to work out the conditions which would be favorable to both the City and the County to obtain a Sphere of Influence from LAFCO (the Local Area Formation Commission). During the same time period, that area was identified in the Blue Print (a planning document for the Region) as the next place for future development within Sacramento County. In order to get approval of the application of the Sphere of Influence from LAFCO, the City and the County had to work together to come to terms in an MOU, memorandum of understanding. The MOU included that the City would be required to put together a plan for future development. The MOU included a commitment to maintain 30% of the area as open space, and preserve the Oak Groves and vernal pools, among other things, that were mirrored in Measure W. It is important to note that the density called for in the Blue Print was approximately 16,000 to 18,000 units - the City said that density was too high and ultimately worked toward a density of approximately 12,000 housing units. After approval of the SOI, the planning and community meetings commenced. There were more than 100 meetings over several years. The annexation of the area was approved by Sac County, the City of Folsom and LAFCO in 2012. Additional planning and hearings at Parks and Rec and the Planning Commission and City Council lead to more detail going into the plan, financing of the plan, water supply and numerous other things that had to be put in place before any development could occur, including a tax sharing agreement. So, the process has been in the works for 20 years and the first homes will be occupied later this year There are those who would argue that the land should have remained "open space". The original owners of the land would obviously disagree, and, in fact, went to the County with development proposals at leas 3 times. The County would most certainly have allowed development there, just as they have approved Cordova Hills, along Grant Line Road and Jackson Highway. The City of Folsom's standard are much more stringent that those of the County and we wanted to ensure that the development was overseen by the City, and not the County. To assume that the County would not allow development of the land, and the subsequent increase in value of the property, along with the associated increase in taxes, both sales and property, is naïve. To assume that the County would allow the City of Folsom to annex the property to maintain it as open space is also naïve. The annexation of the 3,600 acres is the 8th or 9th annexation that the City has been through. Empire Ranch was annexed, the land at the auto mall was annexed, even the land on which the City Hall, rodeo arena, library, and police department was annexed (from the Prison). The area that is now Empire Ranch, originally Broder Ranch, then Russell Ranch, was in the planning stages in 1995 and 1996. The last subdivision in Empire Ranch was only just started this year - 23 years of development. The Folsom Plan area is expected to build out over the next 30 years. Of the homes that have sold in the Plan Area so far, 90% have been sold to existing Folsom residents. Of the 4,000 people on the interested list for homes in the Plan Area, 50% of those are also Folsom residents. A bit of a long story, but it has taken us 20 years to get to the point and it will be 30 more before it is done. See more

Many people want to live in Folsom, but can’t find a home to buy or rent. Folsom Ranch is providing homes to meet that pent-up demand. Watch long-time resident Debbie Treseder discusses why she’s excited about Folsom Ranch:

A full 30 percent of Folsom Ranch is preserved as open space, so all residents can enjoy our city’s natural wonders -- from pristine wetlands to glorious blue oaks to incredible wildlife.