GALT, CA (MPG) - Galt planning staff clarified the status of an application from a fuel and convenience store chain, saying at the Nov. 14 Planning Commission meeting that it has been the subject of “false information” on social media.

Galt Interim Community Development Director Amie Mendes said she has been fielding calls about an application to build a Maverik gas station and convenience store in the Galt Ranch development area, which is north of the planned A Street extension east of Highway 99.

“I want to make sure that everybody understands this is not a truck stop,” Mendes told the commissioners. “There is no truck parking associated with this particular site plan that we’re reviewing.”

According to the city website, if approved, the 4-acre location would include 26 gas pumps, five commercial fuel islands, two truck scales and an RV sewage dump.

There would also be a nearly 6,000-square-foot convenience store, which Mendes said would include a hot-food counter.

Maverik has locations in multiple Western states, with nine stores in California, according to its website.

“They really cater to the traveler,” Mendes said.

Galt senior planner Kristyn Bitz said the application isn’t complete yet and is likely to come before the Planning  Commission for consideration in the first quarter of 2025.

Commissioner Dan Denier said he was reserving judgment on the matter.

“I told a few people I have no opinion of something that I have not seen. I cannot make an opinion one way or another on something I have not seen, and that’s, I think, the entire commission at this point,” Denier said.

The commissioners unanimously approved architectural designs for a section of the Elliott Ranch development between Boessow and Simmerhorn roads.

The section, called Unit 2, consists of 112 single-family residential lots on the east side of Carillion Boulevard. The developer, Elliott Homes, presented four floor plans, which will have three style variations each: craftsman, farmhouse and contemporary.

Bitz called the contemporary look “unique and a first time for Galt.”

“So we don’t have a contemporary elevation really anywhere else in town,” Bitz added. “This is being built in Elk Grove, and evidently it’s doing well up there. It gives buyers a new option that they don’t have currently in Galt.”

Unit 2 is divided into a slightly denser section north of Officer Tonn Parkway and a less dense section to the south. The houses in the denser area will range from about 1,600 square feet to 2,300 square feet. Houses in the less dense area will be 2,000 to 2,700 square feet. The 2,700-square-foot houses will feature an auxiliary dwelling unit or in-law suite.

The overall Elliott Ranch project, formerly known as Simmerhorn Ranch, will have 429 single-family units along with sites for a park and an elementary school. In 2022, the Planning Commission previously approved a different section of the development, Veranda at Simmerhorn Ranch.

Bitz said Elliott Homes has added embellishments to the exterior designs, including faux brick and faux stone treatments, and shutters.

The commissioners approved the designs with minimal comment, which Commissioner Bonnie Rodriguez explained. 

“I do want to make it public that the reason why there’s not a lot of conversation is because we’ve been looking at these for quite a while and staff has been able to discuss these things with the developer,” Rodriguez said.

In news on other developments, Mendes said that Tim Lewis Communities has applied to build at the Liberty Ranch subdivision on Marengo Road. Liberty Ranch is split into “villages” that different homebuilders can develop. The Galt Planning Commission is set to consider the application at its Dec. 12 meeting.