A Publication of the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association Vol. 37, No. 8 2791 - 24th Street, Sacramento, CA 95818 • 452-3005 • www.sierra2.org April 2016 Freeport Boulevard bike lanes coming this summer By Andrea Rosen between June 13 and Aug. 12. Viewpoint staff writer SCNA voted to support the Freeport Boulevard project. SCNA aith Bernstein was a McClatchy board members were among more Fsenior from Curtis Park in January than two dozen speakers at the 2010 when The Sacramento Bee first November 2012 City Council meeting reported on the formation of a grass- at which the project was approved. roots group called SAFFE — Safety The Freeport Boulevard project Along Freeport For Everyone. will add bike lanes in both directions, Faith gathered statistics and reduce speeds and improve pedestrian organized the production of a video crossings. New signage and striping showing the danger of riding a bike on are standard improvements. The Freeport Boulevard. Car-bike accidents revised roadway will include bus and too many near misses plagued high pullouts to help traffic flow more school and City College students biking smoothly and flashing beacon on Freeport to and from school. crosswalks and radar speed-limit SAFFE started advocating for signs to slow traffic, increasing safety Photo/Joan Cusick turning about a mile of Freeport for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. Max Kaplan shares his 100th birthday with friends at the Senior Center. Boulevard between Vallejo Way and One traffic lane in each direction Sutterville Road into a “Complete will be eliminated to make room for Street.” the bike lanes and a center turn lane. Secret to living 100 years The good news is that it’s finally “I believe that the addition of going to happen this summer, reports bike lanes on Freeport Boulevard is right in front of him City Engineer Adam Randolph, will have a tremendous effect on the By Dennis Cusick have no idea why I’m this age. It is as who is overseeing the project. Bids public’s ability and willingness to Viewpoint staff writer much a surprise for me as it is for you.” were due by March 23 with ground navigate a popular corridor between Kaplan was in the spotlight, not breaking to occur at the southern two light-rail stations and without a hat causes longevity? only because his fellow writers group end of the project on May 16, timed car,” said city planner Sparky Harris. W On the eve of Max Kaplan’s members had a large birthday card and to coincide with the Sacramento City “It feels like we have reached a 100th birthday last month, his fellow cake for him, but also because it was his College spring break. With luck, the tipping point in terms of enthusiasm members of the Senior Center writers turn to read something he’d written. northern end, near McClatchy, will and support at the highest levels for group wanted to know his secret. “I have been thinking about our be constructed during summer break bicycling in Sacramento.” “I’m just lucky,” he told them. “I Please see Longevity, page 3 No public notice required for ‘Village’ Variations commercial site plan on Tudor By Andrea Rosen style in Viewpoint staff writer he site plan that authorizes developer Paul this year’s TPetrovich to build a shopping center in Curtis Park Village was quietly approved by the city’s home tour design director with no advance notice to Curtis Park neighbors. The details of the plan, approved nearly two years ago, have never been publicly reported. They address basic city requirements concerning streets, Photo/Rudy Calpo lighting, landscaping, fire, water, utilities and the This Markham Way house is among a line of Tudors replete with like. developer Frank Williams’ handcrafted design details. Three retail spaces, between 7,500 and 5,600 By Lori Harder two miles. Bicycle racks will be provided for those square feet, were approved along Crocker Drive. Special to the Viewpoint who opt to cycle between the homes. They don’t appear to open onto Crocker Drive One home takes in sweeping views of the park but instead open to the parking lot. The rest of parade of Model A automobiles will begin through two stories of leaded-glass windows. the shopping center space is largely occupied by A the annual Home and Garden Tour at 10 a.m. Interiors behind those windows are colorful and a grocery of 54,936 square feet, with two adjacent Saturday, April 30. The classic cars will lead the way elegant. The homeowners (one of whom grew up in buildings between 10,000 and 18,000 square feet. to seven beautiful homes and gardens on tour. Food, Curtis Park and wanted to return), are also finishing Some 209 parking spaces were approved on music, displays and a walking tour of drought- a new apartment and office, in place of the garage, the interior of the shopping center surrounded by tolerant landscapes will round out the day. that is architecturally tied to the design of the house, retail space. Ten long-term bike parking spaces are This year’s tour features homes in variations complemented by a new small pool. required with space for 52 more bikes. No location of the Tudor Revival style. While all homes have Longtime and devoted Curtis Park residents for bike parking was specified or required. beautiful original features, the interiors vary from Mark and Sharon Helmar will graciously open What was not specified in the site plan was serene and cool tones to rich deep color and artwork. their home for this 30th anniversary tour. In 1986, something that has caused controversy ever since Both updated and vintage kitchens and dedicated to renovating and reviving the Sierra 2 – a piece of the northeast interior corner marked bathrooms vary in size, color and style. Outdoor Center, they volunteered their home for the first as “future building.” Six weeks after the site plan spaces range from intimate gathering spots to large tour and fundraiser when they lived on West Curtis was approved, developer Petrovich requested a landscapes with dramatic trees, fountains, iron and Drive with their children. (See related story.) conditional use permit for a 16-nozzle gas station at stone work. Also on the tour are two beautifully detailed this location. City Council rejected the gas station The homes on tour are located throughout the Tudor homes by noted developer Frank Williams request last November. neighborhood, encompassing a loop of just over Please see Tour, page 6 Please see Site Plan, page 5 Page 2 Viewpoint April 2016 Notes from March 2nd meeting Tech Lab envisioned as learning space for kids Tech Lab for shifts. tennis courts will be taken over by Terri Shettle is working on Next meeting Wine Tasting; A new Curtis Park the city. funding and grants for equipment. The next meeting of the couple has volunteered to chair the Pskowski is working on The cottage will be the new home SCNA Board will begin at 7 p.m. committee. hiring an arborist to assess the of the Tech Lab after it is repaired, Wednesday, April 6 in the NCC: Dan Pskowski said health of the heritage oaks at the rewired and secured. This will be Garden Room at Sierra 2. there should be SCNA involvement north end of Curtis Park Village. a great place for neighborhood For more information, call with city officials so we can be the Sierra 2 office, 452–3005. children to gather and learn code, apprised of changes in development Treasurer’s report record beats, etc. issues. Bruce Pierini will organize Joseph Eschleman reported SCNA staff will be going on process. SCNA has a few months a proactive development forum that investment income is OK, a series of field trips to learn how to submit suggestions for the new with articulate and thoughtful despite a volatile market. Terri other organizations create tech budget. The Home Tour on April 30 developers and city officials for Shettle said the Sierra 2 Center’s spaces and how we can evolve to has six homes. A native plant group the fall. It was suggested that block users generate revenue of the next level. The next field trip will do a presentation on gardening, Councilmember Jay Schenirer could $20,000 per month. will be behind the scenes at the landscaping and pollinators at the give SCNA an hour once a month or Crocker Museum. event area in William Curtis Park. every two months. Annual retreat Pskowski gave an update on Board members planned Executive Director’s Report Standing committees the tree ordinance update and said it to attend the yearly retreat Terri Shettle says she is Facilities: Terri Shettle reported would go to the Law and Legislative on Sunday, March 13. The continuing to work with Runaway the walk-in cooler will need to be Committee in April with 10 days to SCNA strategic plan was to be Stage Productions on the condition replaced and installed. review the report, but there is still discussed. of the cottage and other concerns. Development: Kara Leong pushback from city staff. These issues will likely require reported the Egg Hunt would be Councilmember Jeff Harris Recognition SCNA expenditures and resources Saturday, March 26. Rosanna Herber will help with the April Curtis Park Staff member Valerie Burrows when they leave. The Parks would be the constable. The bunny cleanup day to repair irrigation and will be recognized for 11 years of Department is undergoing an and photographer were lined up and fill in holes. hard work. evaluation and reprioritization ready. Board members had signed up Candy Andersen’s garden by the — Kate Van Buren, Board secretary Front porch is prime seat in theater of life here are 17 potted plants cream and other mostly The boy is now running back and forth on the on our front porch.