July 1, 2025
Oh my, what a week!
Thanks to all who joined us to show our opposition at the two hearings last week. Your participation, attending, speaking at a meeting, or writing a comment, were very helpful.
Status of the projects and meeting outcomes:
The Upper Westside Project – On June 23, 2025 the County Planning Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve the project. The Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) has been released and is available on the County website here.
About 80 people spoke at the hearing. Many spoke of their feelings about the project and others questioned its technical aspects, such as the lack of a source of water. In spite of such clear opposition, the Commission voted unanimously to support the project. The Commission had few questions or comments. You can watch the recording here. An Opinion piece was published in the Bee on June 30, 2025 focusing on Count/City tension over the project.
There is no date yet for the Board of Supervisors’ vote on the project. You can let them know of your concerns with letters, or on our petition. Please sign it here.
Airport South Industrial Project – On June 26, the City Planning and Design Commission recommended that the City Council annex the land and accept the project. They also recommended several changes to the project, including widening the buffer between Paso Verde Elementary School and warehouses; that loading dock placements be away from residences and the school; and recommended increased noise mitigation.
At the meeting there were 50 – 60 proponents of the project and about 30 opponents. There were a lot of orange vests in the room. About 20 people spoke in opposition and many more spoke in support, mainly for the jobs. The Commission spent well over an hour asking additional questions and commenting on what they heard. There was 1 “no” vote. You can watch the hearing here.
The date for the City Council to make the final decision is tentatively set for August 12, 2025. We will need a strong showing from the Westlake, Northlake and Four Seasons communities. Sierra Club, ECOS and Friends of the Swainsons’ Hawk have initiated a law suit and you will be the beneficiaries of it. Your support (by showing up and by donating) are important to its success. Letters and calls to the Mayor and Council expressing your opposition matter.
GrandPark Southwest and Grand Park Brookfield – 1,871 and 3,485 acres respectively, north of Elkhorn Blvd. These proposed developments would be a mix of residential and commercial. We believe both projects are actively working with the County to create their Environmental Impact Reports. The Notice of Preparation for Grandpark Southwest has been issued. Concerned or impacted organizations will submit comments to the County.
Take Action – Start Planning NOW
In the next month, make plans for how to reach people in your communities and organizations to inform them of the project and of the stakes for Natomas and other city residents. Start planning and organizing how you will get people to turn out for the go/no go meetings. For your community or organization:
- How will you reach out to your members to let them know about the meetings, what the stakes are, and encourage them to attend? Do you have an email list?
- In the next month, can you organize house parties? Or organize a team of people willing to pass out flyers door to door?
- Design a flyer for your community now, you can add the date once it is announced. We may only have 10 days notice for the meetings.
- Identify who is willing to post on social media about the meetings.
ECOS will assist by providing information. We will also create a flyer but one specific to your community may be better.
If each of us does something, it adds up to something big.
