Residents of Train Village, a quiet and established North Auburn neighborhood, are strongly opposing the proposed Foothill Storage project (PLN25-00002), a massive three-story, 840-unit commercial storage facility planned for the property bordered by the Foothill Motel, Foothill Bowl, Terry Lane, and Dolores Drive. This neighborhood, built in 1956 and home to retirees, middle-aged residents, and young families, would be permanently and negatively transformed by a project wildly out of scale with its surroundings. Residents cite serious concerns across multiple fronts: worsening traffic at an already dangerous Bowman Road and Dolores Drive intersection, increased safety risks from strangers accessing a facility that may operate 24 hours, months of construction noise and dust followed by ongoing noise and light pollution, and a likely decline in property values for homes sitting in the shadow of a massive commercial structure. Beyond the local impact, residents question whether the Auburn area even needs another storage facility, and whether this is an appropriate use of a commercially-zoned lot adjacent to a beloved residential community. Train Village neighbors are asking Placer County to take their concerns seriously, visit the site, and ultimately reject or substantially scale back a project that would destroy the small-town character of their neighborhood forever.

 

Here is a link to a letter or this letter you can use as a template, or send directly to the county. The deadline for written submissions is April 23, 2026

There will be a hearing, at which residents can voice their opinions about this project, on Thursday May 21, at 10 AM, at 3091 County Center Drive, in the De Witt complex.

 

Here are some commercial alternatives that would benefit the community while still allowing the property owner to profit from their property

 

A massive apartment complex that would provide lots of housing (if they still felt like building a three story structure...

 

A town square with shops or cafes

 

a different style town square

 

At least three single family homes, possibly four. Could also be two story homes. 

 

 

 

 

 

Now Imagine if this space was utilized in way that would enhance the lives of local residents instead of being bulldozed, developed, and utilized for a senseless, redundant, commercial endeavor? Citizens crave third spaces, not more commercial development. 

 

A small playground

 

 

 

A community garden

 

 

A zen walking area

 

 

A small park with a pond

 

 

All of these would benefit the community far more than a three story storage facility

 

 

NOTICE OF INTENT

 

 

 

POINTS OF CONTACT

 

Auburn City Council​

 

Environmental Coordination Services - Phone 530-745-3132

 

Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor - Phone: 530-889-4010 Fax: 530-889-4009

ask that Cindy looks into limiting the use in the general plan update that is currently happening

cindy.gustafson@placer.ca.gov. CC these contacts as well martinromero@placer.ca.gov, zoningadministrator@placer.ca.gov

 

RESOURCES

 

View page 96 of the Placer County Design Standards & Guidelines​

 

Placer County - LAND USE

-The County will promote the efficient use of land and natural resources. The County shall permit only low-intensity forms of development in areas with sensitive environmental resources or where natural or human-caused hazards are likely to pose a significant threat to health, safety, or property. -The County shall distinguish among urban/suburban and rural areas to identify where development will be accommodated and where public infrastructure and services will be provided.  This pattern shall promote the maintenance of separate and distinct communities. 

-The County shall discourage the development of isolated, remote, and/or walled residential projects that do not contribute to the sense of community desired for the area.

-The County shall require that all residential development provide private and/or public open spaces in order to insure that each parcel contributes to the adequate provision of light, air, and open space.

-The County shall require that new commercial development be designed to encourage and facilitate pedestrian and cyclist circulation within and between commercial sites and nearby residential areas rather than being designed primarily to serve vehicular circulation.

-The County shall require new commercial development to be designed to minimize the visual impact of parking areas from public roadways and existing residential uses.

-The County shall require that new, urban, community commercial centers be located adjacent to major activity nodes and major transportation corridors.  Community commercial centers should provide goods and services that residents have historically had to travel outside of the area to obtain. 

 

93.08 Loud, Unnecessary Or Unusual Noises Unlawful
It shall be unlawful for any person to make or continue, or cause to be made or continued,
any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise or any noise which either annoys, disturbs,
injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, safety or peace of others within the city.
(1973 Code, § 5-7.08) (Ord. 550, eff. - -) Penalty, see § 93.99
93.09 Unlawful Acts
The following acts, among others, are hereby declared to be loud, disturbing and
unnecessary noises in violation of the provisions of this chapter, but the enumeration
shall not be deemed to be exclusive.
I. Loading, unloading and opening boxes. The creation of a loud and excessive
noise in connection with the loading or unloading of any vehicle or the opening
and destruction of bales, boxes, crates and containers;

 

California Code, Civil Code - CIV § 3480

A public nuisance is one which affects at the same time an entire community or neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons, although the extent of the annoyance or damage inflicted upon individuals may be unequal.

 

California Code, Civil Code - CIV § 3479

Anything which is injurious to health, including, but not limited to, the illegal sale of controlled substances, or is indecent or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property, or unlawfully obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner, of any navigable lake, or river, bay, stream, canal, or basin, or any public park, square, street, or highway, is a nuisance.