URGENT UPDATE!

The City of Rancho Cordova is currently reviewing Trumark’s New Proposed Project, submitted on June 12, 2023. Under California SB 330, the Affordable Housing Act.

This proposal doubles the original 2020 application to 440 units, alters lot sizes and locations, and includes drainage into the American River not identified in earlier applications. The City’s first inconsistency finding notes that portions of this proposal fall within the 100-year floodplain where the Rancho Cordova General Plan discourages development to mitigate flood risk and protect adjacent ecosystems. This floodplain designation underscores risk not only to future housing but also to the wildlife habitats of the American River Parkway and the safety of surrounding neighborhoods.

Our Position - Parkway and Housing 

We urge a modification of the project to align with the City’s General Plan. Trumark’s current proposal includes constructing approximately 29-$1,000,000+ homes, up to 35 feet tall, on raised fill up to 10 feet above the current grade, overlooking the Wild & Scenic American River. Additionally, plans call for 220 homes within the floodplain, highly visible from the American River Parkway, and a 6-foot-high retaining wall just 20 feet from the river bluff.

This project would require clearing an approximately 300-tree black walnut grove —a critical habitat for local wildlife—under the guise of “affordable housing” without actually providing any affordable units.

Why This Matters

No other high-density housing development exists within the Parkway’s floodway, setting a concerning precedent for this cherished public asset. This proposal could abandon existing public easements that support Parkway connectivity, heighten flood risks along the Parkway, and contribute to habitat loss for fish and wildlife species—many of which are protected or hold special status. Moreover, the City has stated that this project is not necessary to meet its regional housing allocation targets.

The irony is clear: if Trumark had adhered to the General Plan in 2020 by developing on the higher tier, the project would likely be complete today, with much-needed housing already available. Instead, Trumark is seeking windfall profits by disregarding known restrictions, attempting to transform the property into something entirely different from what was originally purchased.