2040 General Plan Update: Missing Middle Housing & Maximum Floor Area Ratio

On November 28, 2023, ECOS submitted a letter of support for the City of Sacramento’s proposal for the missing middle housing ordinance as part of the General Plan Update. Below is an excerpt from our letter.

For over 50 years, ECOS has urged our region to increase infill housing as opposed to sprawl development, in order to preserve habitat and make our air healthier to breathe. More recently it has become clear that this is needed to limit greenhouse gas emissions that jeopardize the future of our species, and to deal with our #1 local issue: the lack of affordable housing and concomitant homelessness. For these reasons, ECOS has consistently promoted investment in public transit and light rail, and the development of transit-oriented infill development. Additionally, ECOS recognizes that our past discriminatory housing policy has caused a development pattern that must be adjusted to promote environmental justice and equity.

Click here to read our letter in full.

Controversy engulfs Causeway project

Monica Stark, The Davis Enterprise, October 15, 2023

“‘It’s been pretty obvious to me just from observing the ‘rehabilitation’ project that it was doing the sort of deep roadbed work needed for widening,’ Stephen Wheeler, UC Davis professor of human ecology, said…”

Click here to read the article.

Gov. Newsom says he’ll sign Sen. Scott Wiener’s greenhouse gas emissions disclosure bill

By Jenavieve Hatch | September 17, 2023 | The Sacramento Bee

While Newsom made his announcement in New York, hundreds of climate activists in Sacramento demonstrated against fossil fuels. Protesters spoke in Old Sacramento to call on Newsom and President Joe Biden to stop approvals of oil drilling permits and declare a climate emergency. The demonstrators then marched across Tower Bridge, where they hung an enormous yellow banner that read “Biden-Newsom: End Fossil Fuels.”

ECOS Climate Committee Meeting 10/19/23

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 at 6:00 pm

LINK to join: ECOS ZOOM 6656164155
or call: 1 669 900 6833, Mtg ID: 665 616 4155

Please note that this meeting will not be recorded.

Jeanie Ward-Waller, former Caltrans’ Deputy Director of Planning and Modal Programs

6:00 Welcome and Introductions

6:10 Presentation:
Jeanie Ward-Waller was demoted last month, after she notified Caltrans officials that she would file a whistleblower complaint about Sacramento-area highway expansion projects allegedly circumventing environmental rules.

Here are some of the latest updates on the situation:

Coalition letter calling on Gov. Newsom to hold Caltrans accountable to his climate vision, October 17, 2023

The widening of I-80 works against California’s climate goals | Opinion, By Stephen M. Wheeler and Barbara Leary, Special to the Bee, The Sacramento Bee, October 17, 2023

A Caltrans executive questioned a freeway expansion. Then she was demoted, Rachel Uranga, LA Times, October 13, 2023

Editorial: California’s transportation spending doesn’t match its climate promises, LA Times, October 10, 2023

Breaking: California Transportation Official Demoted for Opposing Highway Expansion, Asia Mieleszko, Strong Towns, October 10, 2023

6:30 Discussion/Q&A

7:00 Updates and Announcements

This meeting is open to everyone interested in addressing some of our region’s most pressing challenges.

Click here for the agenda in PDF.

Climate Justice Fest 10/28/23

Saturday, October 28, 2023 , 10:00am-2:00pm
Location: McClatchy Park, 3500 5th Ave, Sacramento, CA

Come say hi to us at the ECOS booth at Climate Justice Fest on Oct. 28th!

This community gathering and resource fair will feature live performances, a kids area, costume contest, vendors, trick-or-treating, educational info on climate justice and more to be announced. Music will be provided by Richie Ledreagle, Moon Magic, Mic Jordan, Dj One Gone and more.

Event Contact: info[at]sacclimate[dot]org

Join the Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force at Upcoming Technical Advisory Panel Meetings

Greetings community members,

You are invited to join the Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force (CEMTF) at their upcoming Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) meetings. Your valuable insights and ideas will help us shape Sacramento County’s Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP) to address and adapt to climate change equitably.

The events are free and open to the public. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided. We will also have a limited number of compost pails and 4-quart sample bags of compost to give away!

If you cannot attend in person, you can join us via Zoom (See links below). Please note that there is no need to RSVP for this event. However, if you wish to inform us of your attendance for food headcount, feel free to send an email to ghazankhan2[at]gmail[dot]com with your name and organization (if applicable).

The sessions will be excellent opportunities to engage with the Task Force and have your voice heard. These meetings will center around Transportation, at the following dates and locations:

September 2, 2023, 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. at North Highlands-Antelope Library, 4235 Antelope Rd, Antelope, CA 95843 (Available via Zoom)
September 9, 2023, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Elk Grove Library, 8900 Elk Grove Blvd, Elk Grove, CA 95624 (Available via Zoom)
September 9, 2023, 1:30 – 4 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 7340 24th St Bypass, Sacramento, CA 95822 (Available via Zoom)
For more information about the CEMTF and our other upcoming meetings, please visit the Green Sacramento County Website.

We look forward to meeting you and hearing your valuable insights as we work together to create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient Sacramento County.

Sincerely,

Timothy Irvine Chair of the Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force