News and Press Releases
Oct. 12 City Council Meeting Recap
Development Impact Fees, False Fire Alarms Ordinance
Changes May be Scheduled for Development Impact Fees
In order to strengthen the City’s ability to continue to offer high quality parks and recreation amenities to existing and new residents, the Rocklin City Council discussed the introduction of an ordinance that would:
Gayaldo Park Phase 2
Phase 2 of Gaylado Park is slated to begin in October 2021. This new phase of the park will include a turf, shrub bed, additional trees to provide shade, and a retaining wall and irrigation to support drainage. This project will be worked on in-house by Rocklin Parks staff. The park will remain open during the construction time for the community to continue to enjoy. The city is looking forward to the expanded portion of this well used neighborhood park.
Rocklin to Honor Original 13 Friends of the Library on Wall of Recognition
During the 1970s, community support for the small Placer County library was waning and the amenity was in danger of closing down. Thirteen Rocklin women, who had a passion for reading and for their community, took it upon themselves to raise support for the library system and gather funds to build a new one from the ground up.
Rocklin Road/I-80 Interchange Improvements Project
Virtual Open House Oct. 19
The City of Rocklin is hosting a virtual open house on October 19, 2021, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. to share information about the Rocklin Road/I-80 Interchange Improvements Project and obtain community feedback.
The anticipated changes to the Rocklin Road Interchange will address existing traffic congestion and improve walking and biking connections between downtown Rocklin and Sierra Community College. Attendees will be provided information on the improvement plan and will be informed on how to stay involved throughout the process.
Medication Take-Back Day
Multiple agencies taking back unwanted prescription drugs Saturday, Oct. 23
On Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Rocklin Police Department and multiple agencies across western Placer County will help the public prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted medications.
Patio Cover Regulations Allow More Builds
Backyard patio covers (structures open on at least 3 sides), can now be built with only a five-foot clearance from the property line and no longer count towards lot coverage maximums in the City of Rocklin.
The new regulations were implemented in late July and affect most properties in the City. The biggest impact may be on residential homes, allowing owners to add shade in smaller backyards, which is especially important during the hot summer months.
Rocklin Hires Sherri Conway as Assistant City Manager
Sherri Conway has been hired as assistant city manager for the City of Rocklin and will begin work in her new role on Oct. 25.
Conway has over 30 years of experience serving municipalities, most recently as director of the Placer County Office of Economic Development. During her time with the County, Conway oversaw business retention, expansion and attraction efforts, led workforce and job development programs, was responsible for the Placer County Visitor’s Bureau, and more.
“Supporting the Rocklin business community and developing a robust economic development strategy are key priorities as I begin work with the City,” Conway said. “I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the residents of Rocklin, City Manager Zimmermann and the Rocklin City Council.”
Council Discusses use of Federal American Rescue Plan Act Funds
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law on March 11, 2021, to deliver relief to millions of Americans struggling with the economic crisis caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Proposed Outdoor Food and Beverage Operations Program Slated for Further Development
Extension for Temporary Outdoor Service Program to be Considered in October
Staff presented the Rocklin City Council with a resolution of intent to prepare changes to City laws (also known as codes) regarding design review and approval of expansions for outdoor food and beverage service.
Sept. 14 City Council Meeting Recap
City Laws Regarding Temporary Noncommercial Signs to be Updated
The Rocklin City Council took the first step in updating the City’s ordinance that addresses rules for temporary noncommercial signs, including political signs, in all areas of Rocklin.
The changes to the standards for temporary noncommercial signs found in Table 1 of RMC Section 17.75.020 and RMC Section 17.75.070 (D) will include:
Rocklin Ranked in Top 50 Best Places to Live in U.S.
The City of Rocklin was recently named one of the top 50 best places to live in America by Money Magazine!
The magazine looked at cities that had a low crime risk, a diverse population between 25,000 and 500,000 people, and affordable cost of living. From there, each city was researched in greater depth, with economic, recreational, educational, and many other factors in consideration.
Sinkhole and Subsidence Repair on Midas Ave, Camelot Dr., and Sceptre Dr.
Major repairs to fix a sinkhole on Midas Ave. and sagging portions of Camelot Dr. and Sceptre Dr. are tentatively scheduled from September 14 through late October. Construction crews will be active from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the work will last two weeks or more in each project instance.
Complete closures of the affected sections of the roads will be required and detours will be in place. The damaged sections of the roads are not directly in front of homes, and access to properties will be preserved, but detours will still be required.
Is Public Transit Meeting Your Needs
Take the annual unmet transit needs survey.
Is public transit meeting your needs?
Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA) wants to hear from you about how public transit can best serve the Placer County region. As part of the annual Unmet Transit Needs Process, PCTPA is conducting surveys and seeking community feedback throughout September and October. If you have an idea to improve local transit service, let us know!
August 24 Council Meeting Recap
2021-2029 Housing Element Adopted; Terracina at Whitney Ranch Approved
Terracina at Whitney Ranch Approved
Terracina at Whitney Ranch, a 288-unit apartment community on 11.7 acres in between Wildcat Blvd. and University Ave., was unanimously approved. A mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units are planned in twelve rectangular three-story buildings arranged around the site. A clubhouse, pool, and other outdoor amenities are also included.
City Council Honors Retiring Police Chief Chad Butler
The Rocklin City Council honored retiring Police Chief Chad Butler with a special resolution on Tuesday night, thanking him for his exemplary service to the City and the Rocklin community.
Chief Butler had served as Rocklin’s police chief since January 2017, after rising through the ranks and proving his capacity for project and people management each step of the way since joining the city in 2003.
Placer County Public Health issues new COVID-19 health warning
The Delta surge has resulted in record numbers of COVID-related hospitalizations this week and is leaving local hospitals with less room to absorb more patients requiring hospitalization. Hospitals in Placer County are providing critical care in areas not typically designed for that purpose, report a high level of acuity in their patients, and are experiencing strains on their workforce. COVID patients occupy nearly one third of licensed beds, a higher share relative to hospitals in other communities.
Sign Ordinance Relaxation and Other COVID-19 Business Programs To Conclude
Enforcement of the City of Rocklin’s commercial sign ordinance will resume on November 1, 2021.
The sign ordinance was relaxed in the spring of 2020 to help businesses advertise various forms of operations under coronavirus restrictions. With California’s economy fully reopened, the exceptions to the City rules will sunset.
Rocklin Promotes Longtime Employee to Director of Parks and Recreation
Kevin Huntzinger has been promoted to Rocklin’s director of Parks and Recreation after more than 16 years with the City. Huntzinger formally moved into his new role this week, taking on the overall responsibility for managing the programs, operations and staff of the entire department.
Huntzinger most recently served as the deputy director of Parks and Recreation, and has filled the leadership role in a temporary capacity since the departure of the former director in the fall of 2020.
August 10 City Council Meeting Recap
Fire Department Quarterly Report
Fire Chief Reggie Williams provided the City Council an update on the activity of the Rocklin Fire Department between April and June of 2021.
Williams reported there were 1,505 total calls for service during the second quarter of 2021, an 8.9% increase when compared to the first quarter of 2020, and a 10.9% increase from the second quarter of 2019 (1,341).
Bike Pump Track Concept at Whitney Park Pedals Forward
A bike pump track is pedaling closer to becoming a reality at Whitney Community Park after City Council directed staff to prepare a request for proposal to design the amenity on July 27.
A design for the track and related infrastructure will help City Council and staff better understand the costs of the project, identify potential obstacles to construction, and inform the project’s budgeting process.