Changes to Western Placer County Riolo Vineyards Project Approved by Supervisors


Published on March 24, 2015

Changes to plans for the Riolo Vineyard, an approved development in western Placer County, moved forward Tuesday when the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved amendments to the development’s plans and finance plan. The original specific plan area was originally approved in 2009 with 933 residential units.  

The plan area is bordered by Watt Avenue and Walerga and PFE roads, and is set on approximately 525 acres.  The approved changes included an increase to 10.5 acres of commercial space and 139 acres of green space, which includes parks and open space.  Tuesday’s board item included a continuation of a Feb. 24, 2015, public hearing on the project in that allowed for discussion on the proposed changes.

The previously-approved plan allocated 60 units for high density residential in order to meet the project’s affordable housing requirement.  In 2012, the board approved a provision which allowed for this affordable housing requirement to be built at the Acres of Hope facility in the Bowman area. 

“I think we’ve made a lot of progress on this project and I appreciate that,” said First District Supervisor Jack Duran whose district includes the proposed development. “I especially like moving the affordable housing over to the Acres of Hope facility.”

Plan revisions that were approved by the Board include:  

  • Elimination of some medium density homes;
  • Replacement of the high density residential area with commercial space;
  • Addition of low density residential uses;
  • Creation of a density reserve of 47 units;
  • Replacement of 10-acre agricultural lots with agriculture and estate residential units;
  • Roadway and circulation changes; and
  • Relocation of parks and recreation areas. 

The amendments made to circulation included the removal of a road parallel to PFE Road, the removal of a road that connects to Watt Avenue and the creation of two distinct neighborhoods connected by bike and pedestrian paths. The location of parks and recreation areas were also changed in order to create better connections to the trail systems and provide enhanced views of the open space areas.  

The direction of construction was also changed and will begin on the eastern side and proceed in to the west. Construction on the first phase is expected to begin this year.