On June 16, 2026, the five members of the Sacramento Board of Supervisors voted to approve the Upper Westside Project.
With that vote, the land changes from agricultural to development and increases in paper value – much to the advantage of the developer and other land owners.

The meeting was lopsided to favor the developer. County staff presented the project and responded to supervisor questions. Then, the developer described the project and responded to supervisor questions. The presentations lasted about 2 and half hours. Members of the public were given ONE minute each to speak. The supervisors did not ask the public speakers any questions. There were about 70 speakers both in opposition and to approve.

In their questions and in the County Planning Staff presentations, requirements in the process were identified that could be show stoppers for the project. The developers and County made a number of assumptions such as that they can successfully navigate the many steps needed to provide water for the project. Another is that they will receive permits from the state and federal wildlife agencies.

The first obstacle will be lawsuits challenging the County’s environmental review. ECOS and allies have less than 30 days to file a petition to overturn the EIR. Donations to our legal fund can be made here.

ECOS and allies pointed out the many legal flaws in the development Plan and EIR and the harm the Upper Westside Project will do to the Habitat Conservation Plans in the Natomas Basin. ECOS also explained that far more land is zoned for housing than can be built in the next century, as detailed in a letter to the supervisors. The claim that the rezoning will benefit the housing crisis is a hoax.

We are, of course, very disappointed that the Supervisors chose to endorse such a bad plan. In future, we must elect leaders who will say no to business proposals that harm the public interest. We are grateful for the response to our outreach and the increased awareness about land use, in our community. We will not be discouraged and will continue to bring people together to protect climate, farmland, habitat and habitat conservation plans.

Community opposition will continue. The City and Natomas Basin Conservancy are strongly opposed to the project. A coalition of groups that include ECOS, 350 Sacramento, Sierra Club, Friends of the Swainson’s Hawk, Garden Highway Community Association, North Natomas Community Coalition, and others will continue to work together to oppose this project.

News and Links:

To see a recording of the meeting – go here. The video is about 9 hours long, so advance to 2:04 pm, 4 hours and 40 minutes into the video to see the Upper Westside Hearing.

The Sacramento Bee published an article on the front page, June 18,2026. You can Google “Supervisors Approve Controversial Upper Westside” or try one of these links:

• The front page of the Bee with photo and article
• The same Article, on MSN

An article in Abridged provides a good summary of project.

• Sacramento County greenlights controversial housing plan against city concerns https://www.abridged.org/news/sacramento-county-upper-westside-housing-plan/

We will continue to keep you updated and ask for your support. Please make a tax-deductible donation here.