Division President of Homes by Towne Jeff Pemstein (center) joins sales broker Christopher Rockey (left) and project supervisor Thom Kane at the Fair Oaks Boulevard site being developed as “The Paseos.”

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - One of few remaining land parcels in Carmichael is being developed as a 46-home, all-electric community called The Paseos.

The long-ago orchard is now 6.5 acres of bulldozed dirt near the Marshall Avenue corner of Fair Oaks Boulevard. Some lots are already claimed by early-bird buyers. Three demonstration homes of “California bungalow” design are rising and will be viewable by late January.

“We’ve owned the property for five years,” says developer Jeff Pemstein. “We’re excited to at last bring new homes to Carmichael. There are very few new-home opportunities here.” Pemstein heads the California/Nevada division of Milwaukie-based Homes By Towne. Founded after World War II, the company first built homes for returning Wisconsin servicemen. It is now a corporation, active in seven states.

Subject to more than one developer’s vision, the Carmichael property changed hands several times before Pemstein’s 2018 purchase. Twenty-year builder (and former city planner), he shrugs off half a decade of wheel-spinning as a builder’s lot.

“Our persistence paid off,” he said. “By now, California is in the midst of a housing crisis. The County had visions of an even higher-density neighborhood here. We told them there wasn’t a market for that. The scale of Carmichael lends itself to 46 homes at this location.”

Delays were not all bureaucratic. “To plan Sacramento County’s first all-electric infill neighborhood, we had to work through many challenges,” explained Pemstein. “All homes are completely powered by electricity; so we’re in partnership with SMUD. Power comes from offsite (Rancho Seco) solar fields. Families who live here will use electricity for everything.”

The outer community contains 18 conventional-sized dwellings. Inner streets offer patio homes with 1143 square-foot floor plans. As the name implies (paseos is Spanish for paths), homes are linked by winding trails. These lead to a half-acre neighborhood park. Landscaping will include drought-tolerant native plants.

Home prices range between $581,000 and $645,000. “We’re below medium price for new houses in California,” says the developer. “We’ve done all we can to make them attainable for families.”  

Having lived a few blocks from the property for 25 years, Pemstein sent four kids to local schools, patronizes nearby businesses and acquired the land with insight. “We’re close to the American River, to parks, golf courses, great stores and good schools,” he noted. “I know Carmichael — it’s a fantastic place to live.”

He and company representatives attended many meetings with neighbors during planning. “We’ve responded to community concerns,” he said. “We wanted everyone to be happy with what we’re doing. Building will continue here for about two years.”

Attested the boss: “We’ll endeavor to be good neighbors during all of our construction.”

The Paseos community will stage a grand opening in spring. For information, visit The Paseos Facebook page or call (916) 799-8472.