The Rancho Cordova City Council’s recent December 5th meeting began by recognizing the Valerio family whose quick thinking, military training and medical skills helped rescue survivors of a helicopter crash during the family’s wait to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial. With the help of city council member Linda Budge, the heroic family was finally able to visit Pearl Harbor and pay their respects to the fallen veterans and victims.

The council next addressed public hearing items regarding the Anatolia Center Project and a tentative subdivision of the shopping plaza at the intersection of Sunrise and Zinfandel.

Public commentary included input regarding the appearance of the Anatolia Project and it was recommended that the council consider adding an ecological water feature. Various examples were discussed by the council and the developer’s team, including the architect. Other discussion focused on sign height, overhead shading and tree placement to offer shoppers protection from the sun and inclement weather. The council voted to allow the next phase of development to move forward.

A proposed parcel split requested by the owner of the shopping plaza that houses the new Chik-Fil-A and Sportsman’s Warehouse became heated during the discussion. O’Reilly Auto Parts and the parcel owner petitioned the council to subdivide a single existing parcel, resulting in a freestanding auto parts store directly adjacent to Zinfandel Boulevard. The subdivision would leave an open space to be developed later by the owner. The discussion between council members and the auto parts retailer’s representative became heated, requiring Mayor David Sander to utilize his gavel and repeatedly remind the representative that he was out of order. A compromise was reached with the city requesting the petitioning parties to come back with more detailed information.