Judge rejects San Diego County’s climate action plan

By Richard Allyn, Reporter

Posted: Dec 28, 2018 9:40 PM PST
Updated: Dec 28, 2018 10:53 PM PST

CBS 8 San Diego

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) – Environmental activists are calling on San Diego County leaders to adopt a new climate action plan.
For the third time, a judge Friday rejected San Diego County’s plan, saying it doesn’t comply with goals for reduced emissions. It was a ruling that environmental leaders praised and they used the moment to urge the County Board of Supervisors to create a comprehensive climate action plan.
The new court ruling found that San Diego County’s climate action plan fails to comply with its own and the state’s goals of cutting back on carbon emissions. The judge rejected the county’s proposal to use carbon credits from out of the county or out of the country, saying that offsetting greenhouse gas emissions in other parts of the world does nothing to help us here at home.

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City prohibits gas stations, relaxes parking requirements, next to light rail stations

December 11, 2018

From Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement

The Sacramento City Council Tuesday voted 8-0 to prohibit new gas stations, drive-through restaurants and auto repair shops within a quarter mile of light rail stations. Those within a half mile will require a conditional use permit.
The new rules also eliminate minimum off-street parking requirements for housing developments within a quarter mile of light rail stations, and reduce them by half within a half-mile radius.
The changes are intended to spur construction of housing in pedestrian, bicycling and transit-friendly corridors around light rail stations, where residents would have less need for cars.

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Sacramento plans to pull out trees near Convention Center during renovation

By Theresa Clift

November 27, 2018
Updated November 28, 2018

The Sacramento Bee

Leading up to the meeting, members of Trees for Sacramento and other residents told Hansen they were alarmed by a document on the city website that said city staff was asking the council to cut down 96 trees for the projects. The real number is actually 51, Hocker told the council at the meeting. The higher number included some large shrubs.
Judith Lamare, of Trees for Sacramento, said the city should have considered tree removals at the time the council was asked to approve the design plan for the projects, when there was still time to make changes without wasting a lot of money.
“That way we wouldn’t get in the position we’re in tonight,” Lamare said.
Paul Andrews said the lost trees would mean about 22,000 square feet of shade lost downtown, which will make it harder for people to be outside in the summer.

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CA regions ‘moving in the wrong direction’ to meet climate goals

By Sophia Bollag

November 26, 2018 04:30 PM
Updated November 27, 2018 11:43 AM

The Sacramento Bee

California has some of the most ambitious clean air goals in the country, but a report the state’s Air Resources Board released Monday shows communities are not on track to meet them.
California law requires regions to develop plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through land use and transportation policies. But communities aren’t actually implementing those plans, according to the report.

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Click here to read the report from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

City of Folsom Officially Joins the Sacramento Regional Transit District

November 14, 2018

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) and the City of Folsom has formalized an annexation agreement that will officially bring the City of Folsom into the District as a member entity effective Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

“By expanding the District to include Folsom’s bus service, SacRT will link more people to resources and opportunities region-wide,” said SacRT Board Chair and Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy. “The integration of Folsom Stage Line service is a great step toward making the system truly regional.”

This move continues a strong partnership between the City and SacRT that brought light rail to Folsom in 2005. Earlier this year, SacRT expanded evening light rail service hours to better serve the Folsom community. In addition, SacRT was recently awarded $85 million in state grant funding that will help accelerate the modernization of the light rail system and pave the way for double tracking on the Gold Line, a project that will increase light rail service frequency to 15 minutes to Folsom stations.

“The action taken by Council is a testament to the dramatic turnaround that has taken place at SacRT over the last couple of years,” SacRT Boardmember and Folsom Councilman Andy Morin said. “I believe this will be a seamless transition that will provide numerous benefits to Folsom residents.”By annexing into the SacRT District, Folsom will benefit from SacRT’s transit expertise as the largest public transit provider in the region. SacRT’s economy of scale will result in improved operational and administrative efficiencies that will save money, and allow the region to become more competitive for grant funding in the future. Initially, SacRT will operate Folsom Stage Line at the same cost to ride and same level of service as it operates today.

“Joining the Sacramento Regional Transit District results in improved efficiencies both operational and administrative, while maintaining the high quality service, low costs, and friendly staffing Folsom Stage Line riders enjoy today,” said Mayor Steve Miklos. “By operating one seamless system it will provide better opportunity for Folsom residents to travel car free, reducing congestion and improving air quality.”

Annexation also provides the City of Folsom a larger voice on the SacRT Board shaping the future of public transit service in the region. This expanded partnership will provide residents with more transit services and resources that can help keep up with demand. The City of Folsom joins the Cities of Sacramento and Rancho Cordova, along with the County of Sacramento as member entities to SacRT.

“I could not be more excited and confident in the future direction of mobility solutions in the region,” said Henry Li, SacRT General Manager/CEO. “Our overall strategy is to engage, inspire and encourage people to value public transportation. Through collaboration, open dialogue, and a shared goal with our partners, we will advance SacRT’s value in providing a world-class regional mobility network to better serve our growing and changing communities.”

As part of the agreement, SacRT is committed to a seamless transition with no impact to current riders. Service levels will be maintained or improved, and there are no short term plans to make changes to the existing bus service, Stage Line branding, or fares. All current Folsom Stage Line staff will be offered similar positions within SacRT during the transition.

Use the Surplus Land Act to Build More Affordable Housing

By Scott Thomas Anderson

November 1, 2018

Sacramento News and Review

Housing advocates tell mayor his administration is skirting the California Surplus Land Act

One thing is certain: Sacramento’s wheeling and dealing of public land to market-rate developers happened during a crisis that hurts low-income renters more than anyone.
The controversial land sales were brought to Steinberg’s attention in July when the Sacramento Housing Alliance and the Environmental Council of Sacramento sent him a joint letter* expressing concern. Specifically, the two organizations questioned whether the city is in compliance with the Surplus Land Act, a law that requires prioritizing surplus government land for affordable housing. One case that the nonprofits found particularly “alarming” was the city’s sale of 4722 Ninth Avenue and 4601-4625 10th Avenue, near Stockton Boulevard.

This week, Steinberg said his office is looking into the issue Sacramento Housing Alliance and ECOS raised.

“The Surplus Land Act is an important law and the city should absolutely comply with it,” the mayor told SN&R.

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*The letter to the Mayor Steinberg from the Sacramento Housing Alliance and the Environmental Council of Sacramento that is referenced in this article was sent on July 9, 2018.

Click here to read the letter.