Planned Facilities
Two SUD facilities are planned on two residential lots in Rescue, and a SUD facility and “Wellness Center” are planned on three contiguous residential lots in Shingle Springs.
“SUD” is a commonly used acronym for Substance Abuse Disorder facility. These facilities are defined California Health and Human Services as “Residential Alcoholism or Drug Abuse Recovery or Treatment Facilities, which are any facility, building, or group of buildings which is maintained and operated to provide 24-hour, residential, nonmedical, SUD recovery or treatment services.” (LINK) These are commercial operations that charge patients for their residence, care and services.
A SUD facility may offer “medically assisted treatment” (MAT) as part of their services if they qualify. A facility can add MAT services at any time. Our understanding is that Native Directions applied to provide MAT for their current facility but did not move forward on that request. We also understand Native Directions is not applying for MAT certification at this time for these facilities.
Rescue Parcel Details
The two parcels in Rescue are divided by a residential lot that is already developed, and two roads that are utilized by a number of neighbors. They are only accessible by Deer Valley Road (details here). One parcel is fully divided by a shared road, defined by previous easement. The roads surrounding these two parcels are unpaved, and two parts of these roads have an asphalt surface that was paid for by existing homeowners. These roads are currently maintained by neighbor volunteers.
These parcels are adjacent to and near Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Biological Preserve and are within Area of Critical Concern. Projects in these areas are subject to the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act.
These parcels have no county services for water or sewer. Well water will be serviced through an underground source that is shared by the neighbors. Power is provided by PG&E.
The Rescue locations are clearly not suited for these types of commercial development and infrastructure.
3480 Deer Valley Court
This 10-acre parcel has a border directly on Deer Valley Road and is intersected by Deer Valley Court into two physical land blocks. It is designated as RL-10 (Rural Land). There are three neighbors sharing direct borders with this parcel. The Deer Valley Court roadway that cuts this parcel into two is utilized by surrounding neighbors to access Deer Valley Road. This section of road was recently paved with single lane asphalt, at the expense of one adjoining neighbor. This parcel is zoned Rural Residential. The parcel is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) per the latest Cal Fire map.
The developer has stated intent to build a 15 room, 30 patient single-story Substance Abuse Disorder facility for “for intense alcohol and drug treatment in order for the individual to maintain sobriety. our residential treatment will include substance abuse assessment, observation, individual and group substance abuse counseling, 12 step groups, mental health assessment, life skills training, vocational assessment, training and recreational activities. The facility will be a license ARF providing long-term care and assistance with ADLs.” (quoted from the CCE grant application). It is unclear how many staff will be required onsite to support up to 30 patients.
The funding for this project may be coming from two grant sources – a $4.7M CCE grant for new construction and a $5M BHBH grant for bridge housing services. The CCE grant is specifically for 3480 Deer Valley Ct. The BHBH grant is less clear on its application, although it does have a line item for building construction. It is possible that HomeCA plans to subdivide this parcel and create two separate facilities on this one lot (this is mentioned in some of the CCE grant supporting documentation). The grant documents we have received concerning this facility are located here.
Construction and Grading permits were applied for in Dec ’24 for 3480 Deer Valley Ct – Bridge Housing SUD treatment center for 30 patients. Permit numbers are Permit #0380586 – Site Improvement and Permit #0380585 – Commercial grading.
2761 Sands Rd (was 3335 Deer Valley Ct)
This 19-acre parcel is inset from Deer Valley Road one block. It is designated as RL-10 (Rural Land). The “main” street access to this parcel is Sands Road, which is unpaved. The parcel has a sharp rise in terrain, and only the lower, eastern, section of the parcel can be developed. It is estimated that ~7-acres of this parcel can be developed. The other portion of the parcel is significantly rocky, and steeply rising terrain. The lower portion of this parcel provides significant water runoff from the hill to the west side of the property, where the water flows north into Martel Creek, which ultimately feeds the South Fork of the American River. El Dorado Water District pulls water directly downstream from this run off to serve El Dorado Hills water needs.
There are three neighbors sharing direct borders with this parcel. On the north edge of the parcel is a shared access road that has been paved by the adjoining neighbor. This parcel is zoned Rural Residential.
Perinatal SUD @ 2761 Sands Rd (was 3335 Deer Valley Ct)
This facility is a Residential Perinatal Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) facility for Native American females, predominantly from San Joaquin County (source) (although they can come from “anywhere” in the state). The facility will have 40 beds (16 for SUD residents plus 24 for their offspring) and some staff housing. All transportation for patients and offspring will be provided by the facility operators. It is funded through a grant from an $11M BHCIP (grant documents).
The facility will “accept those who have a history of incarceration and/or foster care, who have the greatest barriers to access. The facility will prioritize young mother with their young children who are experiencing SUD, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.” (Application, 7) “Behavioral health services to be delivered at the project site will be paid for by DMC-ODS (Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System) and SABG (Substance Abuse Block Grant).” (12)
Here is a summary of the 10-page Grant Application document:
- It will be a residential housing facility for 16 pregnant Native American women and their offspring (up to 24).
- Focus is on those suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, and those who have been incarcerated previously and are homeless now or have been before.
- First program of this kind in the State of California.
- Will offer following services:
- Transportation will be provided so health resources are more accessible
- Heat in sweat lodges for purification, massage and dance
- Large indoor and outdoor childcare facilities
- In the “Development Phase” is listed as “Shovel ready”.
- The “primary building is a 7,400 sq. ft. residential facility that includes 16 private rooms that have been designed to comfortably accommodate 16 perinatal family units which can consist of a mother and her children”. (Up to 4 children in each.).
- The “Residential Capacity” is listed as 40 beds. (16 for SUD residents plus 24 for their offspring).
- There will be a total of 3 buildings at this address: the 7,400 sq. ft. main house, 1,510 sq. ft ADU for housing Native staff and a 550 sq. ft ADU for private counseling.
- The Licensed General Contractor (Max Peralta of Ultamax Builders) “has been selected and is ready for hire”.
- The project will also include a Community Garden, “dedicated areas for Native ceremonies” and “other recreational areas including walking paths”.
The developer has stated intent to build three structures on the approx. 7 acres of buildable land: a 7,400 sq. ft. 16 room, 40 bed (16 for SUD residents plus 24 for their offspring) main facility; a 1,510 sq. ft. structure for housing Native staff; and a 550 sq. ft structure for private counseling. The facility will provide licensed day care services for the children present. (32) It is unclear about whether local schooling resources will be utilized if the kids are of school age. The project will also include a Community Garden, “dedicated areas for Native ceremonies” (steam bath?) and “other recreational areas including walking paths”. It is noted in the grant application to have a security gate and be fenced in.
It is unclear how many staff will be required onsite to support the patients and offspring, and what facilities/staff are required for perinatal and pregnancy operations and medical services. The current build plans show 12 parking spots in front of the facility We are estimating 4-5 full time staff, and a number of transient staff and support personnel. We estimate up to 50 people a day onsite (patients, children, staff, visitors).
Deer Valley Road Access
Any person accessing these facilities will need to transit 1.4 miles of Deer Valley Road to get in or out. This portion of Deer Valley Road is very narrow, has blind hills and includes a one lane bridge crossing. Deer Valley Road is also frequented by bicyclists. More details on these risks are noted here.
Rescue Deer Valley! 