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The history of the Hazel Avenue corridor is not particularly
well documented in written or photographic form, but it appears
to have first been constructed in the late 1800's as a gravel
farm road, as the communities of Fair Oaks and Orangevale
were colonized by easterners lured to Sacramento County by
the promise of a warm climate and a burgeoning citrus industry.
Land prices started at $150 per acre and were sold in 5, 10
and 20 acre parcels, and included perpetual water rights.
Handbills were sent to the east by the thousands, and were
met with positive response by farmers and businessmen wanting
a gentleperson's lifestyle in blizzard, snow and tornado free
central California.
The citrus industry in Sacramento County was uniquely confined
to the Orangevale and Fair Oaks areas, the 'banana belt' of
the Sacramento Valley, which is widely known in horticulture
circles as a thermal belt at the base of the foothills, just
above the cold air 'basin' of the rest of the Sacramento region.
Olive orchards were also prevalent in the area, with orchards
spreading westward from Fair Oaks and Orangevale to Carmichael
Colony. During a review of the City and County photo archives,
there are no recorded images of packing sheds or other citrus
related industry relics, only a few images with homes set
back from roadways with citrus trees lining their driveways.
17 miles of interurban railway connected the area to Sacramento
proper.
The Natomas Company, a major force in Sacramento
Valley agriculture, was very active in the Fair Oaks area,
particularly along the American River where mining and dredging
pursuits took place. The resultant hillocks covered with cobble
and now somewhat revegetated with oak trees are the remnants
of this activity.
The Present
In the Hazel Avenue Corridor Study, the County
of Sacramento has dedicated itself to creating an enhanced
roadway, with considerable attention paid to aesthetics and
pedestrian friendliness. Consideration of bifurcated walks,
frontage roads, and parkway strips within the road right-of-way
are all being considered. Vegetation mindful of Hazel's proximity
to the American River and the natural, semi-rural character
of Fair Oaks and Orangevale are envisioned to complement roadway
improvements. Sensitive and aesthetic placement and design
treatments for soundwalls will also be a particular concern
of the design team.
Amenities for pedestrian safety and utility
will be given great attention during the design process. Elements
such as detached walks, corner pooling spaces/plazas, adequate
signage, street furniture and enhanced bus stops will be studied
and implemented as planning for Hazel progresses.
Transit options will also be explored, using
Regional Transit's plans for system expansion and bearing
in mind light rail extension to Folsom, passing by the southern
end of the study area.
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