AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

×
TESTIMONIALS

“We have utilized Always Best Care for about 10 months . We wanted the best care possible for my dad. We met Lisa when she was sent to my parents home, and we knew instantly she was a perfect fit. She is outstanding and always takes excellent care of my dad. It is truly a blessing to have her. Thank you Lisa and Always Beat Care for being there when we needed it the most”

Rose F.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I have worked for Always Best Care since 2022. It is an amazing company with high quality services for seniors.”

Rouzbeh M.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“What a great and mind easing experience. Carrie was very informative and was able to answer all my questions and give us direction on our Dad. I highly recommend Always Best and of course Carrie! Thank you!”

Chad R.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best care has provided me with a kind, musical and caring person. She does an exceptional job! I am very thankful for her being a part of my daily care. Thank you Irene Dinkins and thank you Always Best Care”

Walter J.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“My caregiver Andrea Salido I believe is one of the best worker they have! Great services.”

William B.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Fantastic staff and care provider, Tiffany Gardner goes above and beyond, works really hard and a great cook too!!thank you abc and Tiffany!!!”

Angel K.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“A great company and dependable. All the workers are very pleasant and works well. Shelly is my regular person and is a great person to be around. She's very efficient and easy going which is good. I might mention I'm not the easiest person to get along with. Tell her to keep up the good work.”

Dennis C.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I am a very happy client with Always best care for many years. Don't know what I would do without my caregiver, Kara, she has been with me for about 3years now and she is so wonderful in every way! Joann pope”

Kara H.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“We have been using Always Best Care Senior Services for 4 years for my Mom's in home care. The staff are caring and helpful, and take great care in providing for her needs. Minda Geir has been instrumental in keeping the scheduling department working, despite the changes that are needed when doctors appointments and other changes are needed. It is not an easy job and we appreciate the efforts she takes to communicate with us. Minda has been a gem! I also want to recommend working with Kathee Grgich. She is in a different department at Always Best Care. She is helping us find a future assisted living facility for my Mom as she may want to move this year. Kathee has spent many hours looking for different places and even going with us on tours of these places. Her recommendations have been invaluable, saving us time and giving us incites we would never have known otherwise. This service is provided free of charge, and I cannot express how important Kathee's help has been. Always Best Care provides other valuable senior services, and I would highly recommend considering their services.”

Nina A.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I work here currently. I LOVE Katie the scheduler. She is always on top of her job and gets things handled.”

Amber K.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“This post is from my brother Charles…I look forward to Alex Isley‘s weekly visits! We are relaxed around each other; he is very willing to help me with many things to make my life easier. He encourages me to go outside for fresh air and activities but reminds me to sit down and rest when I need to. It is a pleasure to have him in my home. Thank you Alex!”

Janet H.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I highly recommend always best care , I work with them for many years and I’m very pleased with their service , if you or your loved one needs help do not hesitate to reach out to Allways best care”

Miha J.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Rinah has been very carrying and supportive.”

Lyle S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“My wife love the way she cleaned but one that sold her on using her was her name Isabel.”

Gary C.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Tori Burke has been great. She's doing a awesome job helping my mother with all her needs. Tori has a very special personality that makes my mom feel very comfortable. Thank you for sending Tori to us.”

Mary L.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Nina Thao was my Fathers caregiver and she always went above and beyond. We were so blessed to have such a hard working, empathetic, and dependable person who helped my Father live as comfortably as possible past 100 years old! I would Highly recommend Nina Thao from Always Best Care to help your family when in need. Sincerely, Cynthia Coopee”

Cynthia C.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I am writing to praise the caregiving and support that Shristi provides to my brother, Sgt Michael Iwanaga for the last year. Shristi is always friendly, has a great attitude, is extremely helpful and always willing to go the “extra mile”. My brother could not be happier with the care and companionship that Shristi has provided to him. He was initially reluctant to have a care giver but since having Shristi’s care and support he does not know how he would be able to do without her. He would be extremely bereft should Shristi no longer be able to provide him with the care. I would also like to commend your administrative staff for their responsiveness, support and positive attitude. We could not be happier with the care that your organization has been able to provide to my brother. In fact, I have referred your organization to my cousin, Lucille Irby for assistance due to the excellent care and responsiveness of your organization. Please feel free to use my name as a reference. With appreciation, Tami Pereira”

Tami P.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“We have been with Always Best Care for 2 years. My dad is 91 and has enjoyed all of the caregivers. Victoria is his favorite. They get along beautifully. They work with the veterans and are somewhat flexible with scheduling. I would recommend Always Best Care for your caregiving needs.”

Mary L.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Sandra Benton is terrific, kind, professional and takes such good care of us!”

Semmy M.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Kirsten Hellar has been my care-giver for over 2 years She has always helped me in the shower and drying me off and helping me to get dressed. I feel very comfortable with her taking care of me on mon wed & Friday.”

Kirsten H.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Jaquay has been a wonderful helper.”

Danelle G.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I think that Jhanai B. Is great, she is a very pleasant person to be with, she does everything I ask and makes me smile and also helps me up and down, such an amazing company.”

Eilene G.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Jennifer! Hope you are doing great! John and I are so thankful for all the help from the wonderful team at Always Best Care! We are fortunate to know such talented and compassionate people! Please share our appreciation with everyone!”

Debee G.
 In-Home Care Penryn, CA

How does In-home Senior Care in Penryn, CA work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

Request More Informationright-arrow-light
 Senior Care Penryn, CA

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Penryn, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Penryn, CA gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Penryn, CA

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Penryn,CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

 Caregivers Penryn, CA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

Latest News in Penryn, CA

Draft environmental review for Project 8 Winery in Penryn available for public review through Dec. 28

A draft environmental impact report for the proposed Project 8 Winery in Penryn has been made available – now through Dec. 28 – for public review and comment, including a public meeting before the Placer County Planning Commission on Dec. 15 to receive comments on the draft report.The proposed project from applicant BEM Inc., (representing Lecavalier Cell...

A draft environmental impact report for the proposed Project 8 Winery in Penryn has been made available – now through Dec. 28 – for public review and comment, including a public meeting before the Placer County Planning Commission on Dec. 15 to receive comments on the draft report.

The proposed project from applicant BEM Inc., (representing Lecavalier Cellars) would develop a full production winery, producing 50,000 cases of wine annually on 17.96 acres of a 44-acre parcel at 7615 Callison Road in Penryn. The application includes a multi-level (75-foot-tall) 29,250 square-foot octagon building on top of an underground wine cave. The upper levels of the octagon building also include a tasting room, accessory restaurant, and other associated facilities. The project also includes a 26,000-square-foot processing and warehouse building used for wine production and bottling, product storage, supply storage, and equipment storage.

The proposed project would require county approval of a conditional use permit for the winery development/operation and a zoning text amendment that would allow the octagon building to be built at a height of 75 feet.

The draft report indicates that all significant environmental effects of the proposed project are mitigable to less-than-significant levels, except for aesthetics and transportation (vehicle miles traveled). Full copies of the report are available for public review online at https://www.placer.ca.gov/7767/Project-8-Winery or at the following locations during regular business hours:

Comments on the report can be submitted to the Placer County Development Resource Agency via email at [email protected] or by fax at 530-745-3080. Comments may also be mailed to:

Placer County Development Resource AgencyEnvironmental Coordination Services3901 County Center Dr. Ste 190Auburn, CA 95603

Members of the public may also make comments on the draft report in person or via Zoom at the regularly scheduled Placer County Planning Commission meeting at 10 a.m. on Dec. 15. Information on Planning Commission meetings and Zoom links can be accessed at https://www.placer.ca.gov/2403/Planning-Commission

Project 8 renderings from Lecavalier Cellars can be downloaded here.

‘I'm particularly concerned with arsenic’ | Neighbors worry about proposed Project 8 Winery in Placer County

A proposed new winery between the Placer County communities of Penryn and Newcastle has some neighbors excited and others concerned.PENRYN, Calif. — Plans for a new winery are upsetting some neighbors in Placer County, with worries including arsenic exposure and noise pollution.The developer says he has already gone above and beyond in addressing those concerns.Now, project approval comes down to Placer County supervisors ...

A proposed new winery between the Placer County communities of Penryn and Newcastle has some neighbors excited and others concerned.

PENRYN, Calif. — Plans for a new winery are upsetting some neighbors in Placer County, with worries including arsenic exposure and noise pollution.

The developer says he has already gone above and beyond in addressing those concerns.

Now, project approval comes down to Placer County supervisors later this month.

Earlier this month, Mike Fournier drove ABC10 around his 175-acre property in the Placer County community of Penryn, giving a tour of the land where he wants to build a winery. His land includes 53 acres for growing grapes plus a vista of the rolling Sierra Foothills, which Fournier showed off by raising us some 50 feet off the ground in his rough terrain scissor lift.

“It’s too bad, by the way, that it’s hazy today because normally we see the Sutter Butte, Mt. Diablo, Sacramento,” he said.

This is where Fournier wants to build Project 8 Winery, also known as Lecavalier Cellars.

His plans for Project 8 include a production facility and wine caves, plus a 75-foot-tall building with a tasting room and fine-dining restaurant offering the panoramic view.

“The topography, the terroir is very good for what we’re doing, and we think that we can do something iconic here,” said Fournier.

He says the vast majority of the immediately surrounding neighbors are in support of the project, but there are a group of neighbors who have a list of concerns they say have not been adequately addressed.

A little over three-quarters of a mile away, as the crow flies, is neighbor Patty Neifer’s house. She’s all for a new vineyard and tasting room in Penryn but she thinks these plans go too far.

“When an 80-foot, gigantic tower is being proposed that would fit more in Las Vegas than it would in Penryn or Newcastle, that's where we draw the line,” she said. “With that comes noise pollution, light pollution, everything from the traffic increasing and just changing the whole look of an entire community.”

Joining Neifer at her house that afternoon in late May was Gabriele Windgasse. She lives a few miles away but is on the Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council, whose members studied Project 8. She thinks the county hasn’t done enough testing for arsenic, a naturally occurring toxic material that — with long-term exposure — can cause cancer and other health issues.

"This is naturally occurring arsenic. It is deep in the ground,” she explained. “If there's dust that has arsenic in it, that can be a concern, but also in drinking water.”

Windgasse isn’t only a neighbor; she’s also an expert, with a doctoral degree in public health and is an adjunct assistant professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University.

She points to soil sample test results in the project’s Environmental Impact Report, particularly one result showing a high concentration of arsenic, taken from soil that had been about 20 feet beneath the surface.

“If the surface is low-arsenic but you excavate high-arsenic soil and then place it as fill on top, you have created a public health hazard. So my question has been for many months now: What about the fill material? What is the concentration of the fill material? Where were these 20 feet of excavated soil placed?” she questioned. “What is the potential concern for the workers who work there during the construction, the workers who work there during the operation, the visitors and the neighbors?”

Just down the road from Neifer’s house is where Janet Kellman lives.

“I'm able to speak about what arsenic can do,” she said.

Kellman and her husband have lived in Penryn for 42 years, and just five years ago learned their drinking water had high levels of arsenic. The couple has since been diagnosed with cancer, which they believe is linked to the arsenic. She, like Windgasse, is concerned about potential arsenic levels in the fill material at Project 8 Winery.

"I'm really not thinking so much about the people that come and have a lovely glass of wine and dinner and all of that. I'm thinking about the people that work there. I'm thinking about the people that live around there, where the land is going to be disturbed in such a way that we do not know what will be released from the rock and into the air,” she said. “I just feel it's too big of a project for this area.”

ABC10 took these women’s questions to Fournier, who acknowledged the arsenic that’s present in the soil throughout Placer County.

“Ultimately, when in doubt, do the right thing. Do what's safe for people, and that's what we intend to do,” he said.

He pointed to additional arsenic testing that his company paid for, above and beyond the requirements.

“We got results that came back very favorable, showing that it was more of an anomaly, the level that we got on that one test pit. That having been said, we even went further. We went, over the winter, we took the runoff water and we had it analyzed to make sure there was no arsenic leaching off the site,” said Fournier. “Plus, we will do more. You know, we're going to do a soil management plan, we're going to do a dust monitoring plan. Ultimately, we don't want our employees exposed to arsenic.”

He said they’ll continue testing during construction - and that much of the fill material will be capped with a road and the pad for a building.

“The reality is, there's a lot of arsenic in Placer County, and this is not a negative thing. It's just the reality,” said Fournier. “We're going to do it right. We've capped it right in the past. We will cap it right in the future. If we discover more that is material, then we will do what the agencies require us to do.”

Neifer, Windgasse and Kellman say Fournier’s answers don’t satisfy their concerns. Windgasse points out what she says are flaws in the secondary testing Fournier’s company paid for.

“In this report, it says very clearly that each and every sample of those was received outside of the EPA-recommended holding time. That means the samples were analyzed when they were too old to be analyzed for arsenic. This data is not acceptable to investigate the arsenic and subsoil concern,” she said, adding, “I'm not convinced that these five soil cores represent the areas where they will take out fill, so they will excavate many other areas for which we have no idea what is the arsenic concentration there.”

Fournier said he believes the results of the second test are still sound.

“The reality is, was the testing done exactly? No, because we had previously done the boring, but we added the soil samples,” he said. “Let's be realistic: arsenic is not like a solvent. It's not like acetone or gasoline; it doesn't just evaporate out of the sample. We consulted our expert; they said, ‘This will give you a really good yardstick. It will give you a good reference. Are you going into a toxic supersite? Or are you having something that will be easily manageable with best practices?’”

As for concerns over light pollution, Fournier said he hired a lighting designer to ensure the lights in the tasting room point downward or inward and don’t shine out.

Regarding noise pollution, he assures neighbors the tasting room and restaurant would be enclosed with thick windows and no balcony – only an emergency staircase.

For traffic, he says map apps will take most visitors on the short, quick, well-paved route just minutes from I-80 – along Taylor Road and westbound on Callison Road – and not through the more winding, rural roads of Penryn – eastbound on Callison Road to the winery. Furthermore, he added, his company plans on paying for the creation of a left-turn lane on the currently-two-lane Taylor Road, for drivers turning onto Callison Road, toward Project 8.

Fournier said some of these and other changes have come from meetings with neighbors in the area more immediately surrounding his property.

However, neighbors who still have concerns say they have heard all these answers before, hashing out the conversation in public meetings, and are not satisfied. Windgasse's letters, and the county's responses thereto, are on pages 338-350 HERE.

The Placer County Planning Commission green-lighted the project in April, sending it to county supervisors for a final vote, including the adoption of a zoning text amendment with modifications, such as limiting the height exceptions to large wineries over 20 acres producing more than 20,000 cases per year. Supervisors could choose to approve it outright or pause the process to request more information or changes.

The proposed octagon building, which is 29,250 square feet, has multiple levels, including one proposed underground and five above-ground.

Several people spoke at the planning commission meeting, both in favor of the project and with concerns about the project — including about the height of the tower, the ability of fire crews to respond to an emergency at the location and noise concerns, among others. The public comments lasted for more than two and a half hours.

If his project is approved, Fournier said he’d like to break ground next year, with the first phase opening sometime in the spring of 2025. The winery would be located at 7615 Callison Road in Penryn.

WATCH MORE: The history of Mikami Vineyards in Lodi | To The Point

Related Articles

ABC10: Watch, Download, Read

Arsenic levels in Penryn raise concerns over Project 8 Winery

Locals urging further testing following EIRPenryn, Calif. – Local Penryn and Placer County residents urge further testing as high levels of arsenic were detected in the soil on the development site of Project 8 Winery. A soil sample revealed an arsenic level of 32.5 mg/kg, almost three times higher than the DTSC Screening Level for industrial sites (12 mg/kg). (Update: The Placer County Planning commission ...

Locals urging further testing following EIR

Penryn, Calif. – Local Penryn and Placer County residents urge further testing as high levels of arsenic were detected in the soil on the development site of Project 8 Winery. A soil sample revealed an arsenic level of 32.5 mg/kg, almost three times higher than the DTSC Screening Level for industrial sites (12 mg/kg). (Update: The Placer County Planning commission recommends approval)

Plans to excavate 25,000 cubic yards, fill 190,000 cubic yards and cut 165,000 cubic yards of soil leave residents concerned that surrounding properties and winery visitors will be exposed to this toxin.

Arsenic is defined as a Class A carcinogen and poses unwanted health risks, most produced through inhalation. The movement, relocation and run-off of such soil create numerous inhalation possibilities.

“The health and safety of our community should not be put at risk for the development of a commercial winery,” said Patty Neifer, Penryn resident.

“Whenever there is a clear indication of toxins, we must be proactive and look after the wellbeing of our rural community”.

Patty Neifer, resident

Prior to the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), two soil samples were collected at varying locations on the property. One sample found sufficient arsenic levels, and the second sample reported no significant arsenic concentration. The discrepancy in these two findings and the possibility of contaminated run-off concerns Placer County locals and indicates the need for further environmental testing.

For more information on Project 8 Winery and the final draft of the EIR report, please visit Placer County’s website. To have a voice in this development process, join the Placer County Planning Commission for their public meeting on April 27th.

Source: Preserve Penryn

Final environmental impact review for Project 8 Winery in Penryn available for public review

Auburn, Calif. – The Placer County Community Development Resource Agency recently released a final environmental impact report for the Project 8 Winery proposal in Penryn.

The proposed project from applicant BEM Inc. (representing Lecavalier Cellars) would develop a full-production winery, producing 50,000 cases of wine annually on 17.96 acres of a 44-acre parcel at 7615 Callison Road in Penryn.

The project includes a 26,000-square-foot processing and warehouse building used for wine production and bottling, product storage, supply storage and equipment storage. The application also calls for a multi-level (75-foot-tall) 29,250 square-foot octagon building on top of an underground wine cave. The upper levels of the octagon building consist of a tasting room, accessory restaurant and other associated facilities.

The proposed project would require county approval of a conditional use permit for the winery development and operation and a zoning text amendment that would allow the octagon building to be built at a height of 75 feet.

The final environmental impact report responds to letters received during the comment period and during the Dec. 15 Planning Commission meeting, as well as minor revisions to the draft version of the EIR and mitigation monitoring and reporting program.

The current version of the report is now available online and the following locations:

The proposed Project 8 Winery was presented March 28 at the Horseshoe Bar/Penryn Municipal Advisory Council and April 3 at the Newcastle/Ophir Municipal Advisory Council for recommendation to the Planning Commission. In addition, Placer County hosted a virtual community meeting April 5 to solicit feedback on the proposed height limit exception, proposed as part of the requested entitlements for the Project 8 Winery project.

Staff is slated to present the project to the Planning Commission with an opportunity for public comment April 27. The project would then need a final approval from the Board of Supervisors.

The public can request additional information by email at [email protected] or by phone at 530-745-3000. Information can also be requested via U.S. Mail at:

Community Development Resource AgencyEnvironmental Coordination Services3091 County Center Drive, Suite 190Auburn, CA 95603

source: Placer County

Roseville Today is locally owned & community supported.(20+ years strong)Welcome to the brighter side!

Placer community provides input on Project 8 Winery

Project 8 would bring a restaurant and caves, but some don't like its 75-foot building on a turntableThe Placer County Planning Commission held a public hearing Dec. 15 regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Project 8 Winery project in Penryn.“What’s being proposed here is a full-production winery operation, including a tasting room,” Jennifer Byous with Placer County Planning Services said. “There’ll be some underground caves, an accessory restaurant and then associated faci...

Project 8 would bring a restaurant and caves, but some don't like its 75-foot building on a turntable

The Placer County Planning Commission held a public hearing Dec. 15 regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Project 8 Winery project in Penryn.

“What’s being proposed here is a full-production winery operation, including a tasting room,” Jennifer Byous with Placer County Planning Services said. “There’ll be some underground caves, an accessory restaurant and then associated facilities to support that.”

The proposed project is slated for a 17.96-acre portion of a 44.14-acre site at 7615 Callison Road. According to Byous, the project would include a 26,000-square-feet warehouse for the agriculture operation and a multi-level, 75-foot-high octagon structure with space for production, a caretaker unit, commercial kitchen, tasting room, restaurant and gravity filtration system.

The plan proposes the fourth level of the 75-foot building, the accessory restaurant with a reservation-only 32-seat limit, would be on a turntable and rotate. Byous said the applicant is also requesting a zoning text amendment for a height-limit exception and a conditional use permit to allow an increase from 50 to 75 attendees for agricultural promotional events (for the purpose of promoting the on-site agricultural operations).

According to Byous, the draft EIR shows no impacts or less-than-significant impacts.

According to the EIR, alternatives for the project are no project, a reduced height option and a reduced operation alternative.

Before accepting public comment, Placer County Counsel Clayton Cook confirmed, “Today’s meeting is to take a look at the Environmental Impact Report and in the same vein, any comments should be geared somewhat toward the environmental impacts. This is not a meeting today to determine the overall merits of the project. That will come at some point later. This will come back to the Planning Commission and then to the Board (of Supervisors), where both of those hearing bodies will evaluate the pros and cons of the project and whether or not to approve it …”

The commission received 32 comments, with 15 in support of the project, 11 against, two asking for the preservation of the Lincoln Highway to preserve the transportation history of the county and four requesting additional clarification regarding traffic impacts, the overall height of the octagon structure, noise pollution and a fourth project alternative due to one alternative being solely based on the approval of the zoning text amendment.

“The Project 8 Winery, as conceived, will be a world-class attraction for Placer County,” Tiffany McKenzie, director of marketing for Visit Placer, read on behalf of Visit Placer Executive Director Rob Haswell, who was out of the country. “It will serve as a beacon to the world about what Placer County has to offer and how you can thrive economically while still respecting the local culture and quality of life.”

Joshua Hanosh, vice president of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, said, “... We will be getting a first-class winery that will be a great gathering spot for the residents of Placer County. It will help showcase our vibrant wine and beer culture that we have built over the last few decades. The restaurant that is being planned is going to be a local gem and experience.”

Other comments in support noted the benefit of having the project provide a fuel break for wildfire, bringing more agritourism to Placer and appreciation that the property will be utilized for a winery and not another housing development.

“To just change an entire zoning text amendment for the entire county to allow unlimited height of buildings in wineries only, that really capitalizes on the scenic personal profit for one specific industry and it grants special privilege to wineries,” Penryn resident Patty Neifer said.

Said Penryn resident Muriel Davis, “This restaurant is not an accessory restaurant. It’s a commercial endeavor to attract people from all over the area and it will impact our residents, and not just in Penryn.”

Additional comments in opposition noted the project’s anticipated industrial interruption of the rural community, a loss of privacy for residents living near the winery, the intrusiveness of the 75-foot structure and its rotating restaurant, and the Board of Supervisors’ denial of other height variances for past projects.

Commissioner Anders Hauge noted most comments were about the project instead of the EIR and directed county staff to address the issues raised when the project returns to the commission.

Commissioner Daniel Woodward directed staff to provide more clarity to the chart of project alternatives within the EIR to provide a better understanding of the impact of the reduced height alternative.

Commissioner Anthony DeMattei requested clarification on the visual interruption, whether the project is located in Penryn or Newcastle and the percentage of intervening topography versus vegetation in order to determine how significant of an obscured object the project will be for residents living in the area.

Residents can view the draft EIR at placer.ca.gov/7767/Project-8-Winery. Comments on the draft EIR are being accepted until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28. Comments can be mailed to Placer County Development Resource Agency, Environmental Coordination Services, 3901 County Center Drive, Suite 190, Auburn 95603 or emailed to [email protected].

Byous confirmed once public comment is closed, staff and the environmental consultant will review all comments and provide responses.

According to Byous, the project is slated to return to the Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) and Horseshoe Bar-Penryn MAC for action in early 2023, and projected to return to the planning commission in the spring. The project is anticipated to go before the Board of Supervisors in late spring or early summer.

According to the Lecavalier Cellars website, the winery is anticipated to open in 2025.

Griffith Quarry Park and Museum: Placer County's pit of prosperity | Bartell's Backroads

PENRYN, Calif — Surrounding the town of Penryn is all Gold Country. Gold is in the hills, the rivers and mountains, but inside Penryn city limits, it's Granite Country. You’ll find the mighty Griffith Quarry--Placer County’s lesser-known pit of prosperity in the center of town.“This area is all about ...

PENRYN, Calif — Surrounding the town of Penryn is all Gold Country. Gold is in the hills, the rivers and mountains, but inside Penryn city limits, it's Granite Country. You’ll find the mighty Griffith Quarry--Placer County’s lesser-known pit of prosperity in the center of town.

“This area is all about getting granite out of the ground. Forget about gold; it’s all about granite,” says Katy Bartosh, Historian for Placer County Museums.

Granite is the rock you see on the outside of buildings and used for kitchen counters. According to Bartosh, it’s not as sexy as gold, but it made a man by the name of Griffith Griffith very rich.

“Griffith Griffith, he came from Wales. He came to the east coast," says Bartosh. "He was doing quarrying originally. He heard about gold and came to California. He then decided that granite was more lucrative."

Griffith Griffith started digging the Penryn quarry in 1864 near the Transcontinental Railway. “Penryn Granite Works,” as he called it, was his third quarry in California.

Griffith specialized in polishing granite, which eventually made its way into several iconic Bay Area buildings. “The U.S. branch mint in San Francisco and the Mare Island dry dock,” says Bartosh.

RELATED: How the machines that built Northern California hope to survive a second pandemic | Bartell's Backroads

Blood, sweat and black powder allowed men to pull granite out of the quarry until 1918. Today, the hole-in-the-ground is part of a 23-acre park and museum, a popular field trip location for Placer County students.

“I work with over 3,000 students on a daily basis. Then all of a sudden, we couldn’t do that anymore," Bartosh said.

The pandemic severely impacted Griffith Quarry and all seven of Placer County’s museums. Hiking trails are open, but the volunteer historians have been quarantining for the past year.

“We have these amazing online resources, but I can’t wait, the students can’t wait, and the docents can’t wait till we open back up again,” says Bartosh.

The Griffith Quarry may just be a giant hole in the ground, but to the town of Penryn, it’s a big draw for the community, and locals are looking forward to the day the museum opens up and welcomes back students.

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.