Tag Archives: General Plan Update

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.

ECOS Letter re City of Sacramento Draft Climate Action & Adaptation Plan

On August 23, 2023, ECOS submitted a letter regarding the City of Sacramento Draft Climate Action & Adaptation Plan.

Our main comments are as follows:

  • The Plan should be upfront about its financial cost and clearly prioritize City actions according to cost-effectiveness in terms of emissions reductions per dollar.
  • The Plan should address funding for underground infrastructure needed for infill development.
  • The Plan should commit to preserving the Sacramento County Urban Services Boundary, which was put into place in 1993 to prevent greenfield development.

You can view our complete comments in our letter. Click here to read the letter.

We look forward to engaging with the City of Sacramento as the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan advances, in order to help make this plan the best as it can be for the present and future residents of the City of Sacramento.

ECOS Letter re City of Sacramento Draft General Plan Update

On August 23, 2023, ECOS submitted a letter regarding the City of Sacramento Draft General Plan Update.

Our main comments concerning the GPU are as follows:

  • The General Plan should include funding plans and a method of prioritizing projects based on funding availability.
  • New street standards for transit, tree canopy, and walkability should be connected to the Street Classification System to ensure uniform Citywide implementation.
  • The Plan should remove the Special Study Area in Natomas Basin and restore the protections to Biological Resources present in the 2015 GPU.

You can view our complete arguments in our letter. Click here to read the letter.

We look forward to engaging with the City as the General Plan Update advances, in order to help make this plan as best as it can be for the present and future residents of the City of Sacramento.

City of Sacramento Draft General Plan Update Presentation to ECOS 6/27

ECOS Climate Committee Meeting
Tuesday, June 27 – 6:00 pm start

LINK to join: ECOS ZOOM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155 or call: 1 669 900 6833, Mtg ID: 665 616 4155

6:00 Welcome and Introductions

6:10 City of Sacramento Draft General Plan Update (GPU)
Remi Mendoza, Senior Planner and Project Manager for the City of Sacramento, will share information on the City’s new draft General Plan Update. The General Plan Update includes goals for promoting the development of a wider variety of housing types and this plan also envisages interconnected centers and corridors, so that future growth is sustainable and equitable. sac2040gpu[at]cityofsacramento[dot]org

The City will host a 3rd webinar on June 29 on the CAAP and General Plan Update — https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Community-Development/Planning/Major-Projects/General-Plan.

6:40 Discussion/Q&A (GPU)

7:05 Updates and Announcements

  • Sacramento County’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force – status update
  • Measure A redux – 2024 ballot measure to fund transit, etc.
  • SACOG Blueprint
  • I-80 lanes to be added between Davis and Sacramento – draft EIR expected soon
  • Community Benefits Ordinance for Sacramento City
  • Proposed development projects jeopardizing the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan
  • Regional Climate Action Plan for 7 counties, by Sacramento Metro Air District (SMAQMD)
  • Others …

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

Click here for the agenda in PDF.

City of Sacramento General Plan Update, Climate Action Plan, Transportation Priorities: ECOS Comments

On August 23, 2021, ECOS submitted a comment letter to Sacramento City Council regarding the City of Sacramento General Plan Update, Climate Action Plan, and Transportation Priorities. Below are our remarks.

The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) would like to request the opportunity for a group of stakeholders to give input to the rough drafts now being developed for the 2040 General Plan Update, Climate Action Plan, and the Transportation Priorities Plan.

We understand that in just a month’s time the Draft General Plan will be issued — we know how difficult it can be to change drafts once published. Also, we believe the Transportation Priorities Plan will be finalized prior to the Draft General Plan.

We would like to give input to both documents in the areas of transportation, land use, climate change, and possible shifts in the City’s budget to support the priorities in the Sac2040Vision Guiding Principles, the recommendations of the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change, and the provisions of the City’s Climate Emergency Declaration.

COVID has restricted communication and we appreciate the City’s continued planning work since November 2019, including the Sac2040Vision Guiding Principles; virtual workshops; change of single-family zoning to increase housing availability; hiring of a Community Engagement Manager; and passage of the New Construction Electrification Ordinance.

Nevertheless, we ask for the chance to discuss with you and staff the contents of the General Plan and Transportation Priorities Plan, before their initial publication.

Photo by Markus Spiske from Pexels