El Dorado Hills inches closer to cityhood as environmental study comes back
El Dorado Hills is one step closer to cityhood — and greater influence on land use — as its draft environmental study appeared before the community services district’s board Thursday night.
The study determined there would be no significant environmental implications if El Dorado Hills incorporated, according to a presentation to the board. However, the study does not consider possible future facilities, such as a city hall, since the results can’t be based on hypothetical scenarios to be determined by a future deciding body. Future studies would take place for those potential projects.
California’s last four incorporations received a similar result, according to the staff report. This includes Mountain House in San Joaquin County and Jurupa Valley, Eastvale and Menifee in Riverside County.
El Dorado Hills decided to pursue the environmental study in May of last year, according to the staff report. It considers items like wildfires and air quality. The community services district worked with Environmental Science Associates to execute the requirement, including consulting with Native American tribal partners. The study cost $67,000, split between the community services district and the cityhood committee.
There are still several hurdles, including a comprehensive financial analysis to determine feasibility and voter approval. General Manager Stephanie McGann Jantzen earlier this year said cityhood will not make the 2026 ballot.
El Dorado Hills will likely have an updated timeline for the financial analysis later this month, McGann Jantzen told the board.
This isn’t the first time El Dorado Hills has considered cityhood. In 2005, the community considered consolidating with the Springfield Meadows Community Services District, now known as Rolling Hills Community Services District, according to the staff report. Voters rejected the proposal with only 43.6% voter approval.
Conversations resurfaced in 2020 when an ad hoc committee was formed, soliciting interest from local agencies, like the El Dorado Hills Fire Department and El Dorado Local Agency Formation Commission, to form a working group. A preliminary financial analysis at that time showed El Dorado Hills would likely be viable as a new city, but the board didn’t move forward.
The community services district is responsible for items related to parks, waste collection, cable television, design review. If cityhood is granted, land use decisions could join the mix. El Dorado County currently makes those decisions. If cityhood comes to fruition, the community services district could become a subsidiary of the city, according to the staff report.
Land use has been a contentious topic in El Dorado Hills of late. Three residents recently appealed a 10-home Serrano development for concerns about parks and traffic safety. Additionally, the county is debating a proposed Costco development in the eastern suburb, sparking debate about if tax revenue from the development should be set aside to help nearby roads. Increased traffic from the proposed Costco could cause accelerated roadway deterioration.
Following Thursday’s discussion, staff will move forward with public noticing for input.
