Community Sports Field Development on Church-Owned Land
Project Type: Lighted soccer and multi-use sports fields with supporting parking, restrooms and maintenance building.
Location: Granite Bay, California
My Role: Development strategy, entitlements and CEQA management, community engagement, architectural and civil design, permitting, contractor procurement, and construction oversight.
Project Overview
I led the planning, entitlement, and legal execution of a lighted soccer and multi-use sports field project with supporting parking, restrooms and maintenance building.on excess land owned by a large church campus in Granite Bay, California. At the time, I was serving as the organization’s contract real estate director and had previously developed multiple projects on their behalf.
The project was intended to activate underutilized land in a way that supported the organization’s mission while respecting the surrounding residential community.
The Challenge
The project involved a wide range of technical and regulatory challenges. Zoning and allowable-use considerations, lighting and noise impacts, traffic and parking requirements, and environmental constraints all needed to be addressed. The site was surrounded by a highly sensitive residential community, requiring careful planning and a disciplined public process.
The project also triggered CEQA review, adding environmental analysis and documentation requirements. The entitlement process ultimately included a formal appeal, creating additional schedule and approval risk.
My Approach
From the outset, I focused on developing a clear, defensible project strategy grounded in regulatory compliance and practical execution. Rather than advancing design prematurely, I prioritized entitlement feasibility, environmental review, and stakeholder alignment.
I coordinated architectural and civil design teams, managed environmental consultants, and oversaw the preparation of permit applications and supporting technical studies. Throughout the process, I worked closely with organizational leadership to ensure informed decision-making and realistic expectations.
The Solution
I managed the entitlement and CEQA process through agency review, public hearings, and appeal. This included responding to regulatory comments, addressing community concerns related to lighting, noise, traffic, and operations, and refining project details to remain within defined constraints.
Following project approval, I led the procurement of the general contractor and related subcontractors, and oversaw construction through completion. My role remained hands-on, ensuring continuity from entitlement through execution.
The Outcome
The project was approved, appealed, and ultimately upheld at the Supervisors’ appeal hearing. Construction proceeded following entitlement confirmation, and the sports fields and parking improvements were completed in 2024.
The result was a fully permitted and constructed community-serving facility delivered in a highly sensitive regulatory and neighborhood environment.
Why This Matters
This project reflects the value of steady, experienced leadership across all phases of development — from entitlement and environmental review to design coordination and construction oversight. By maintaining clarity and discipline throughout the process, I help clients deliver complex projects with reduced risk and predictable outcomes.wl
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