El Dorado Hills
All Part of the Plan
El Dorado Hills looks to diversify and advance its economy
by Jessica Laskey photo by Charlene Lane
When Bill Fisher arrived in El
Dorado Hills in 1973 to work for Allan Lindsey , the area ’ s original master developer , he was struck by its natural beauty — rolling hills , rock outcroppings , native oak trees . Highway 50 was not yet completed , so Fisher commuted along Folsom Boulevard .
“ It was slow in those days ,” says Fisher , president of Pacific States Development Corporation , who went on to develop residential communities in Cameron Park and El Dorado Hills , including Ridgeview Village . “ When we arrived , there were only about 500 homes , the old Raley ’ s center , two schools and that was about it .”
El Dorado Hills has since grown into one of the region ’ s most sought-after luxury residential areas , with developments like Serrano ( one of the largest masterplanned communities in Northern California ) and The Summit . With nearly 100 commercial tenants , El Dorado Hills Town Center has become the region ’ s community focal point , offering dining , entertainment , retail , real estate , and financial and wellness services .
Despite early development success , the region is still working hard to strategically attract diversified industries that will advance its economy .
“ A diverse , resilient business base is important because it will give El Dorado Hills the ability to handle hard economic times , withstand challenges and bounce back because the entire area won ’ t be committed necessarily to one business
90 comstocksmag . com | November 2020