Request for public input during the process of redrafting Measure B

DATE: March 9, 2017

TO: Sacramento Transportation Authority Governing Board

RE: Request for public input during the process of redrafting Measure B

Measure A, adopted in 1988, was developed through a process that included input from a wide range of community representatives, and its renewal in 2004 was partially based on guidance from stakeholders. In contrast, the Sacramento Transportation Authority prepared Measure B with minimal public involvement — and only at the end of the development process — which the STA Governing Board largely discounted in its final deliberations.

We believe a robust public input process should be used in the development of any future transportation measure for Sacramento County, as the County is currently using for its Communitywide Climate Action Plan. The County has been holding workshops in several neighborhoods, pursuant to encouraging “public participation and input … to ensure the Communitywide CAP reflects the needs of Sacramento County” (from the County CAP website). We request that the STA Governing Board adopt a plan for public participation before initiating the development of a revised funding package.

We welcome the opportunity to work with you to develop funding options for transportation policies in Sacramento County that align with regional needs regarding climate change, housing, equity, and air quality. Strong public input is critical for the development of a measure that we can wholeheartedly support.

Sincerely,

Ralph Propper and John Deeter, Co-Chairs
ECOS Transportation, Air Quality & Climate Change Committee

Co-signers:

Nick Lapis, Vice-Chair
Sierra Club, Sacramento Group

Coco Cocozzella, STAR Action Team
Sacramento Transit Advocates and Riders

Stephen Green, President
Save the American River Association

Rick Bettis and Sue Teranishi
Co-Chairs, Policy Committee
Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails

Laurie Litman, Board President
350 Sacramento

George Parrot, President
Sacramento Electric Vehicle Association

Click here to read the full letter.

The Arch Nexus building at 930 R St

By Mark Glover

March 1, 2017

The Sacramento Bee

A Sacramento architectural design firm will host formal grand opening ceremonies Thursday at its newly renovated building along the R Street corridor, with hopes that the structure will be certified a world leader in sustainability a year from now.

Glover, Mark. “Downtown Sacramento building aims for gold standard of green.” Sacbee. N.p., 01 Mar. 2017. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.

Downtown Specific Plan NOP

The City of Sacramento, Community Development Department, as Lead Agency, has issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report for the Downtown Specific Plan.

The comment period is from February 15, 2017 to March 17, 2017.

The issuance of the NOP is to inform all responsible agencies of the decision to prepare an EIR. The purpose of the NOP is to provide information describing the project and its potential environmental effects and to seek input from responsible agencies as defined by CEQA (PRC Section 21069) and the public. Agencies should comment on such information as it relates to their statutory responsibilities in connection with the project. The full NOP is attached here and is available at the City’s Community Development Department webpage at:
http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/Community-Development/Planning/Environmental/Impact-Reports

A public scoping meeting will be held on Thursday, March 2 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Sacramento City Hall, 915 I Street, Room 1119, Sacramento, California 95814. Responsible agencies and members of the public are invited to attend and provide input on the scope of the EIR. Written comments regarding relevant issues may be submitted at the meeting.

Comments and suggestions as to the appropriate scope of analysis are invited from all interested parties. Written comments or questions concerning the proposed project should be submitted to the following address no later than March 17, 2017 (Public counter hours are between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.):
Tom Buford, Senior Planner
Community Development Department
300 Richards Boulevard, Third Floor
Sacramento, CA 95811
Email: tbuford[at]cityofsacramento[dot]org

ECOS comments on US-50 HOV Phase 2 Project Draft IS/EA

November 4, 2016

RE: Sac 50 Phase 2 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes* Project Draft Initial Study [with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration]/Environmental Assessment

In general, ECOS is greatly concerned that this Initial Study does not adequately analyze the potential impacts of the project, and strongly recommends that a full EIR be conducted.

Read our full comment letter here.

What’s an HOV lane?
From Caltrans: The central concept for HOV lanes is to move more people rather than more cars. Some HOV lanes carry almost half of the people carried on the entire freeway.

“Leading the Way” on strategies for a more sustainable California

October 27, 2016

Matthew Baker of ECOS led the research for a new report by ClimatePlan called “Leading the Way” on strategies for a more sustainable California.

OVERVIEW

California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (SB 375) connects land use and transportation planning with California’s ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. This innovative law requires the state’s 18 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to create Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCSs) showing how their regions will meet statemandated GHG reduction targets through changes in land use and transportation.

In many regions, the SCS process has led to innovative policymaking to support healthy, equitable, and sustainable patterns of development. Drawing on reviews of adopted SCSs, as well as extensive input from ClimatePlan partners, transportation planners, and others, this report highlights some of the leading practices that have emerged so far. It also offers recommendations that go beyond existing SCSs in areas such as climate adaptation, water, and affordable housing.

This report was prepared for ClimatePlan by Adam Livingston of Sequoia Riverlands Trust with expert input gathered by Matt Baker of the Environmental Council of Sacramento.

Read the full report here: http://www.climateplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Leading-the-Way-Full-Report.pdf

Sacramento Railyards Plan Wins Approval, But Not Without School Concerns

October 24, 2016

By Steve Large

CBS13

The Sacramento Planning Commission unanimously approved the massive Sacramento railyards plan Monday night, but not without raising some new concerns.

[…]

The Sacramento Unified School District’s Chief Operating Officer testified that the district will need a new school site for hundreds of new children expected to move in.

“So 420 elementary, 140 middle and 140 high school at the low level,” Sacramento Unified School District COO Kathy Allen said. “And there’s not enough facilities around downtown for them right now? I will not have capacity by the time that first student arrives.”

Learn more here: http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2016/10/24/sacramento-railyards-plan-approved/