Former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, now president of the Environmental Council of Sacramento, told the council the plan is a severe danger to the vital grassy areas of the city.
“There is no reason why we can’t include nature in our plans. There is no reason why we should think that we’re the most important species in the world, and that we don’t have an obligation to make room for other species,” Fargo said.
By Tom Philp | August 12, 2025 | The Sacramento Bee
In the first time in modern history, and perhaps ever, the Sacramento City Council on Tuesday voted to oppose a housing project contemplated in neighboring Sacramento County. It was the right thing to do. A proposal to build a 25,000-person community next to Garden Highway known as Upper Westside, on lands the city long ago had designated for preservation, is contrary to so many things Sacramento stands for. But it places its relationship with the county in new and unfamiliar territory.
This month both the City Council and Board of Supervisors meetings include the Upper Westside Project. Please put these dates on your calendar and plan to attend. Please note that the topic of the City’s August 12 meeting has changed dramatically.
City Council to Take a Stand on Upper Westside
Tuesday, August 12th, 2025 at 2 PM, City Hall, 915 ‘I’ St, Sacramento. Agenda here.
The City Council will discuss a Motion authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver a letter addressed to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors expressing the City Council’s opposition to the Upper Westside Specific Plan.
Please attend to express your opposition to Upper Westside!
NOTE: If passed, the City’s resolution would be precedent setting for the Grandpark projects also.
In person – Come to City Hall at 915 ‘I’ Street, enter council chambers, and submit a speaker slip to provide in person public comment on Agenda item #8. When your name is called, you will have 2 minutes to speak. You can also hold a sign/piece of paper stating “No on UWSP”.
E-Comment – You can provide electronic comment here. Reference Item # 8 on the Agenda. Your comment will go to all members of the City Council. See “Talking Points” below.
Possible vote by Board of Supervisors on Upper Westside Project
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote to approve or disapprove the UWSP on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 2 PM, 700 H St, Sacramento. However, the Board will not publish the agenda for this meeting until August 13, after the City Council vote. Please keep this date on your calendar – an update will follow.
Learn more about the Upper Westside Project and Share on Social Media
Video – Natomas residents and homeowners will be negatively impacted by this project. In this video local residents speak out about their opposition to the project. Put it on social media!
Articles in the Bee – Sacramento Bee editor, Tom Philp, has been writing about UWSP and City and County agreements. Read his four recent Opinion pieces here:
Phil Serna isn’t sticking up for Natomas Schools in a development showdown” August 7, 2025
“Supervisor Phil Serna has disrespected Sacramento’s role in growth. Why?” August 4, 2025
“Supervisors want sprawl to the Sacramento river?” Republished August 1, 2025
“Do you want Sacramento to look like Orange County? It Could Happen.” Republished August 1, 2025
Write a Letter to the Editor and reference one of these articles. Submit it here. You are only allowed 150 words and letters are only published on Sundays.
Put these articles on social media too.
Talking Points for August 12 or for e-comment
State where you live. (All City Council members will vote and need to know that their constituents support the Resolution).
Thank you and please vote FOR this resolution against Upper Westside
The City and County must work together. Please observe and respect existing agreements as described in the City’s analysis.
Do not allow the County to destroy the careful balance of urban development and habitat conservation in Natomas.
Write a few sentences about why this issue is important to you. Possible topics:
I oppose further development on greenfields in our region
I oppose urbanization of farmland by City and County
Climate change demands we stop urban growth and focus on infill as per the City General Plan
Respect current urbanization boundaries and the air quality plan.
We have an obligation to protect habitat for threatened and endangered species in Natomas
Open space is a high priority for people and quality of life – keep the balance of farms and habitat in Natomas
Thank you for your support and for joining us in opposition to these projects. We need 200 people at the meeting on August 12th. See you there.
By Tom Philp | August 11, 2025 | The Sacramento Bee
Within days, Sacramento County will consider approving a controversial 25,000-person housing development. north of Interstate 80 that currently lacks an amenity that no home or person can do without: A water source. The county officially plans to rely on the city of Sacramento to provide water to this land next to the Garden Highway and near the Sacramento River. But this proposed development is not within city limits, the city is under no obligation to provide the water and the city has publicly warned the county that there is no agreement to provide the water.
By Tom Philp | August 8, 2025 | The Sacramento Bee
A massive and ill-advised development proposal by Sacramento County to create a 25,000-person community that is surrounded on three sides by the city is threatening to create a bigger and broader rift between county supervisors and city council members.
The Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday, August 20 at 2 pm, 700 H St, Sacramento to vote on whether to approve or deny the Upper Westside Project. This is despite the City Council resolution opposing the project. Plan to attend.
Take Action
Contact your supervisor directly – make a personal call or email directly to your supervisor to urge a NO vote on Upper Westside. To identify who your supervisor is and their contact information go here.
On August 12, 2025, the Sacramento City Council met and voted to pass a resolution (eight to one) opposing the County’s proposed development – the Upper Westside Project. This is a unique stand for the City to oppose a County project. However, City staff enumerated a compelling list of reasons ranging from water supply to services and roads, to congestion and flood preparedness.
The City also reviewed the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan and other agreements in place between the City and County such as the Natomas Joint Vision. These agreements will be part of the review process of any development proposed in the County, including the two proposed Grandpark projects. The City has brought the importance of these agreements into sharp focus.
Next,Mayor McCarty will transmit the City Resolution to Board of Supervisors Chair Phil Serna. The City will seek consultation on the issues.
Learn more about the Upper Westside Project and Share on Social Media
Videos – Natomas residents and homeowners will be negatively impacted by this project. In this video local residents speak out about their opposition to the project.
See and share this wonderful video “Grassland Birds of Natomas” created by Natomas high school student and board member of the Sacramento Audubon Society.
Articles in the Bee – Sacramento Bee editor, Tom Philp, has been writing about UWSP and City and County agreements. Read his Opinion pieces here.
Write a Letter to the Editor and reference one of Tom Philp’s articles. Submit it here. You are only allowed 150 words and letters are only published on Sundays.
Put the Bee articles on social media.
It is very important for us to keep up pressure on the members of the Board of Supervisors. Email and call them, and, attend the meeting on the 20th.
