Title
Woodspring Suites Hotel Rezone (P24-013) [Noticed on 3/14/2025; Passed for Publication 3/18/2025; Published 3/21/2025]
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FileID
File ID: 2025-00758
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Location
Location: 2270 Del Paso Road, APN 225-0070-127-0000, District 1
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion, adopt 1) a Resolution determining the project Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183, Consistency with the 2040 General Plan; 2) an Ordinance rezoning 2.09-acres from the Employment Center (EC-50-PUD) zone and Natomas Crossing #1 Planned Unit Development (PUD) to the General Commercial (C-2-PUD) zone and Natomas Crossing #1 PUD; 3) a Resolution amending the Natomas Crossing #1 PUD Schematic Plan to redesignate 2.09-acres from Office to Hotel; and 4) a Resolution approving Site Plan and Design Review to construct a four-story, 50,922-square-foot, 122-room hotel and associated site improvements.
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Contact
Contact: Jose Quintanilla, Associate Planner, (916) 808-5879, jquintanilla@cityofsacramento.org; Garrett Norman, Senior Planner, (916) 808-7934, gnorman@cityofsacramento.org; Department of Community Development
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Presenter
Presenter: Jose Quintanilla, Associate Planner, (916) 808-5879, jquintanilla@cityofsacramento.org, Department of Community Development
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Applicant
Applicant: Chad Cook, WS California Developer, LLC, 7200 W. 132nd Street, Suite 220, Overland Park, KS 66213
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PropertyOwner
Property Owner: Tim Meissner, Centerpointe at Natomas Crossing Phases III & VI, LLC, 4995 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123
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Attachments
Attachments:
01-Description Analysis
02-Background
03-Resolution: Environmental Exemption
04-Ordinance: Rezone
05-Exhibit A: Rezone Exhibit
06-Resolution: Natomas Crossing #1 PUD Amendment
07-Exhibit A: Schematic Map Amendment
08-Resolution: Entitlements
09-Exhibit A: Project Plans
10-Market Study
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: The applicant is requesting entitlements to allow for the construction of a four-story, 50,922-square-foot, 122-room hotel on 2.09 acres in the General Commercial (C-2-PUD) zone within the Natomas Crossing Area #1 Planned Unit Development (PUD).
The following entitlements are requested:
1. Rezone: Ordinance rezoning 2.09-acres from the Employment Center (EC-50-PUD) zone and Natomas Crossing #1 Planned Unit Development.
2. Amendments to the Natomas Crossing Area #1 Planned Unit Development: Resolution amending the Natomas Crossing Area #1 Planned Unit Development Schematic Map to redesignate 2.09-acres from Office to Hotel.
3. Site Plan and Design Review of a four-story, 50,922-square-foot, 122-room hotel and associated site improvements.
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Public/NeighborhoodOutreachandComments
Public/Neighborhood Outreach and Comments: As part of the application review process, the proposal was routed to surrounding property owners and tenants within a 500-foot radius and to the following neighborhood groups: Natomas Chamber of Commerce, Natomas Community Association, North Natomas Community Association, North Natomas Community Coalition, Preservation Sacramento, Civic Thread, and Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates. Staff did not receive any comments.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations:
Although the property is subject to a development agreement that vested development rights as of July 24, 1997, the project is being analyzed under the City’s current land use and development regulations because the property owner is seeking to change the development plan of the property by rezoning the property from what was approved under the development agreement.
2040 General Plan
The 2040 General Plan designation for the subject site is “Employment Mixed Use”. This designation is intended to buffer residential uses from more intense industrial and service commercial activities and to provide compatible employment uses near higher-density and mixed-use housing. The designation provides for a range of light industrial and high technology uses. The EMU designation generally applies to industrial areas that are next to residential neighborhoods. Allowable uses include the following: light/advanced manufacturing, production, distribution, repair, testing, printing, research, and development; service commercial uses that do not generate substantial noise or odors; accessory office uses; retail and service uses that provide support to employees; compatible residential uses such as live-work spaces or employee housing; hotels and motels; care facilities; assembly facilities; and compatible public and quasi-public uses.
Staff finds that the proposed hotel is consistent with the Employment Mixed Use designation and the following 2040 General Plan Land Use Element Goals and policies:
Goal LUP-1. A compact urban footprint and sustainable development pattern with infrastructure that supports efficient delivery of public services while protecting surrounding open space lands.
Policy LUP-1.8 Jobs-Housing Balance. The City shall encourage a balance between job type, the workforce, and housing development to reduce the negative impacts of long commutes and provide a range of employment opportunities for all city residents.
The proposed hotel supports the goal of a compact urban footprint by providing employment opportunities within a mixed-use area that includes residential and commercial developments. By introducing a hospitality use, the project offers direct jobs (e.g., hotel staff) and indirect economic benefits to nearby businesses. Additionally, its location within a well-connected urban area and next to a future light-rail station, minimizes the need for long commutes, as it is accessible to both the local workforce and residents, thereby contributing to a sustainable development pattern.
Goal LUP-2. Balanced and connected community with thriving neighborhoods and centers and development intensities linked to transit.
Policy LUP-2.1 Overall Balance of Uses. The city should encourage a balance and a mix of employment, residential, commercial, cultural, and tourism-related uses, as well as a full range of amenities and services necessary to support a thriving city.
The hotel adds a complementary commercial use to the surrounding mix of residential and employment developments, supporting a diverse economy and a thriving community. By providing visitor accommodations and services for business travelers and tourists, the project fulfills a critical need for the area. Its proximity to residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and transit options ensures it serves the community effectively while enhancing the overall balance of uses.
Policy LUP-2.3 Diverse Centers and Corridors. The City shall encourage the development of centers and corridors that address diverse community needs, support local market opportunities, are well-served by transit, and are well-integrated with the surrounding neighborhoods.
The proposed hotel contributes to the diversity of uses within the Employment Mixed Use area by addressing the need for short-term accommodations. The hotel is strategically located near the future California Northstate University Hospital and existing and planned transit infrastructure, making it accessible to employees, residents, and visitors. The inclusion of a hotel in this area enhances the neighborhood’s role as a center of activity and strengthens its integration with the surrounding community.
North Natomas Community Plan Area
The subject property is located within the North Natomas Community Plan Area of the General Plan. The North Natomas Community Plan Area is bounded by Elkhorn Boulevard to the north, Steelhead Creel on the east, Interstate 80 (I-80) to the south, and the West Drainage Canal, Fisherman’s Lake, and Interstate 5 (I-5) to the west and includes the Northlake (Greenbriar) and Panhandle residential subdivision areas.
The following policies are applicable to the proposed development:
Policy NN.LU 1.3 Encourage a Balanced Mix of Land Uses. The City shall encourage a balanced mix of residential, commercial, employment, and public uses to promote a vibrant community and reduce the need for extended commutes.
The proposed hotel contributes to the balance of land uses in the area by introducing a commercial hospitality use that complements nearby residential, office, and retail developments. The hotel supports local businesses by accommodating visitors and business travelers, further promoting economic activity and reducing the reliance on long commutes to access similar services elsewhere.
Policy NN.ED 2.1 Promote Developments That Generate Employment Opportunities. The City shall promote developments that create jobs and stimulate economic growth within the North Natomas community.
The hotel will generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities, including positions in hospitality, maintenance, and management. Additionally, the hotel’s presence will attract visitors, increasing foot traffic to nearby businesses and supporting the local economy. This aligns with the City’s goal of stimulating economic growth and creating a thriving employment hub within the North Natomas area.
Policy NN.LU 1.6 Provide Visitor-Oriented Land Uses. The City shall encourage visitor-oriented land uses, such as hotels and event spaces, to support the community’s role as a destination for business and leisure.
The hotel directly aligns with this policy by providing accommodations for both business travelers and tourists. Its location within a mixed-use area ensures it serves the needs of visitors while complementing existing land uses in the surrounding community. This addition enhances North Natomas’ identity as a destination for diverse activities and supports its long-term growth.
Natomas Crossing Planned Unit Development, Area #1
The subject site is located within Area #1 of the Natomas Crossing PUD, which was originally adopted in 1997. While the PUD does not contain specific goals or policies exclusive to hotel developments, it establishes standards and guidelines that apply to commercial uses, including hotels, within the designated development area. These guidelines focus on ensuring compatibility with the surrounding context and achieving high-quality site planning and architectural design.
Key standards that apply to the proposed hotel include:
• Building Design and Materials: The hotel design must incorporate high-quality materials, such as stone veneer, cementitious siding, and stucco, to align with the PUD’s emphasis on creating visually cohesive and durable developments. Building forms must include variations in height and massing to avoid monotonous façades and provide architectural interest.
• Site Layout and Orientation: The building and entrances must be oriented to enhance the streetscape and promote pedestrian activity. Parking areas should be screened from public view with landscaping and architectural elements.
• Landscaping: A comprehensive landscaping plan is required to complement the development and provide shading and buffering. The use of drought-tolerant and native species is encouraged to align with sustainability goals.
The proposed hotel is consistent with these standards and guidelines, ensuring compatibility with the surrounding development and contributing to the overall vision for Area 1 of the Natomas Crossing PUD. By adhering to these requirements, the project creates a high-quality, pedestrian-friendly development that aligns with the intended character of the area and supports its role as a commercial hub.
200-Year-Flood Protection
The project site is within an area for which the local flood-management agency has made adequate progress (as defined in California Government Code section 65007) on the construction of a flood-protection system that, for the area intended to be protected by the system, will result in flood protection equal to or greater than the urban level of flood protection in urban areas for property located within a flood-hazard zone, as demonstrated by the SAFCA Urban Level of Flood Protection Plan and Adequate Progress Baseline Report and the SAFCA Adequate Progress Toward an Urban Level of Flood Protection Engineer’s Report, each accepted by the City Council on June 21, 2016 (Resolution No. 2016-0226), and the SAFCA 2024 Adequate Progress Annual Report accepted by the City Council on October 22, 2024 (Resolution No. 2024-0311).
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: On February 27, 2024, the City of Sacramento adopted the 2040 General Plan, which became effective on March 28, 2024. The City of Sacramento also certified a Master Environmental Impact Report (MEIR) associated with the 2040 General Plan on February 27, 2024. The General Plan MEIR is a master EIR, prepared pursuant to Section 15169 of the CEQA Guidelines (Title 14, California Code of Regulations §15000 et seq.). The General Plan MEIR analyzed full implementation of the General Plan and identified measures to mitigate the significant adverse impacts associated with the General Plan to the maximum extent feasible.
Under Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines, where a project is consistent with the development density established for a property under an existing general plan or zoning ordinance for which the City already certified an EIR, additional environmental review is not required “except as might be necessary to examine whether there are project-specific significant effects which are peculiar to the project or its site.”
The City prepared a Modified Initial Study/15183 Checklist that supports the conclusion that the proposed project would not result in any significant impacts that: 1) were peculiar to the project or the project site; 2) were not identified as a significant effect in the General Plan MEIR; or 3) were previously identified significant effects, and which as a result of substantial new information that was not known at the time that the General Plan MEIR was certified, were determined to have a more severe adverse impact than discussed in the General Plan MEIR.
The Environmental Services Manager has, based upon the analysis and conclusions of the Modified Initial Study/15183 Checklist, the project is exempt from further review. The Initial Study/15183 Checklist is available on the City’s EIR webpage at:
<https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/community-development/planning/environmental/impact-reports>
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Sustainability
Sustainability: The proposed hotel project is consistent with the City’s sustainability goals in that new growth is concentrated withing a compact development pattern, within proximity to future high-frequency transit. The building will comply with Title 24, Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: On February 27, 2025, the Planning and Design Commission voted unanimously to pass a motion forwarding a recommendation of approval to the City Council.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Staff recommends the Sacramento City Council approve the project based on the findings of fact and conditions of approval listed in Attachments 3-9. Staff recommends approval of the proposed hotel because it is consistent with the 2040 General Plan, which encourages compatible employment uses near higher-density and mixed-use housing. The project promotes key policies that encourage a jobs-housing balance in North Natomas by providing a service to both business and tourist sectors and addressing an important need for additional hotels in the City, so that the City is able to host more entertainment and conference venues.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise(LBE)
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): No goods or services are being purchased under this report.
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