On November 11, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) regarding a suggested policy regarding the performance of projects included in the 2025 SACOG Blueprint.
Tag Archives: Climate Solutions
ECOS LETTER re Sacramento County Climate Action Plan, 11/6/2024
On Nov 6, 2024, ECOS submitted to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors a comment letter on the County of Sacramento Climate Action Plan, Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR).
The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) appreciates that County staff have developed a better Climate Action Plan than its 2022 version. However, we still have major concerns that must be addressed before we can support it.
ECOS Opposes new Crocker Village Residential Development Proposal
The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) opposes the request by Crocker Village Residential Development to construct 61 housing units on ±4.86 vacant acres within the R-4A-PUD and SC-PUD zones and Curtis Park Village Planned Unit Development (PUD), located at 2325 10th Avenue.
This acreage has a Multi-Family Housing designation, which is appropriate considering its proximity to Sacramento Regional Transit’s light rail station at City College. SACOG supported funding for the bike/pedestrian bridge from this development to the light rail station based on the understanding that this would be a transit-oriented development.
ECOS is opposed to a PUD Schematic Plan Amendment to develop single-unit dwellings instead. We have two crises that must be addressed: our severe shortage of affordable housing, and climate change. In Sacramento, the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions is from cars. Multi-Family Housing near a light-rail station addresses both these crises, and therefore this designation must be preserved.
Neighborhood Connections Public Draft Plan Virtual Citywide Workshops, 11/20
From the City of Sacramento:
The [City of Sacramento] Department of Public Works’ Transportation Planning team invites community members to participate in two upcoming virtual workshops to review and provide input on the latest piece of the Streets for People Active Transportation Plan.
The Streets for People Plan is based on over two years of community engagement that included attending over 70 events and countless conversations with community members about their vision.
One aspect of the plan includes identifying the Neighborhood Connections network that will create low-stress, comfortable connections on neighborhood streets by identifying key corridors for traffic calming to reduce driver speeds and improve quality of life.
Earlier this summer, staff released initial draft recommendations and are now presenting the Neighborhood Connections Public Draft Plan for additional discussion.
“These workshops are an important opportunity for community members to share their perspectives, ask questions, and help shape the plan, specifically for their needs and priorities in their own neighborhoods,” said Jeff Jelsma, transportation planner with the Department of Public Works. “We believe that the more voices we bring into this process, the stronger and more inclusive the final plan will be for Sacramento.”
Neighborhood Connections Public Draft Plan Virtual Citywide Workshop #1
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 6-7:30 p.m.
Neighborhood Connections Public Draft Plan Virtual Citywide Workshop #2
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 12-1:30 p.m.
The Neighborhood Connections Public Draft Plan will be available from Nov. 4 to Dec. 1 for public review and comment.
The Neighborhood Connections, when implemented, will encourage more active transportation, such as walking and bicycling, allowing the city to reach climate action goals set in the Climate Action and Adaption Plan.
For more info, please visit https://sacramentocityexpress.com/2024/10/30/learn-how-the-city-plans-to-improve-neighborhood-mobility-and-reach-climate-action-goals-at-these-virtual-workshops/.
ECOS Comments on County of Sacramento Climate Action Plan Draft 2024
On August 29, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter summarizing our comments on the County of Sacramento Climate Action Plan Draft 2024.
ECOS Climate Committee meeting, Oct 17, 2024
Topics: Air Pollution in Minority Communities; and SACOG Update
Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155
6:00 PM: Welcome and Introductions
6:10 PM: Need to reduce air pollution in minority communities – presented by Álvaro Alvarado, Cal/EPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Álvaro will present his recently published findings (in collaboration with UC Berkeley) that Californians are breathing far less pollution from vehicles than we were 25 years ago. Exposure to fine particulate matter from traffic has dropped by 65%. Communities of color and low-income communities have seen the biggest improvements. The largest reductions in air pollution levels over the past two decades happened in Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities. However, they are still exposed to higher levels than white Californians – a relative gap that did not change much. Álvaro’s branch produces CalEnviroScreen maps, which help identify communities burdened by pollution.
7:00 PM: Work in progress at Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) – presented by Kacey Lizon, SACOG Deputy Director for Planning & Programs
Kacey will present the status of “Green Means Go”, their 2025 “Blueprint”, and their upcoming regional monitoring report. Green Means Go is a State-funded program to increase the capacity of storm, water, and sewer utilities to accelerate infill housing with lower greenhouse gas emissions than housing in greenfields. The Blueprint is SACOG’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy. SACOG’s monitoring report will consist of data on transportation, land use, housing, and demographic and economic factors.
In November, we hope to continue discussions with SACOG staff on how our 6-county region can meet the State’s target for a 19% reduction in GHG from vehicles by 2035, and possible changes to Statewide legislation (e.g., SB 375 – Sustainable Communities & Climate Protection Program, and SB 743).
7:50 PM: Updates
