Fighting for Land: We need more housing, but we also want to protect wildland, September 23, 2023, Comstock’s Magazine

By Brad Branan | September 23, 2024 | Comstock’s Magazine

The Swainson’s hawk is considered threatened in California, the result of lost habitat. Yet it is doing well in the Natomas Basin, in part because of a conservation plan that sets aside land for habitat, like the farm where the hawk foraged.

That could change due to four major development projects that are planned in the Natomas Basin. The projects would replace important wildland with homes, warehouses and other buildings.

Click here to read the full article.

Upper Westside Plan headed for Sac County supes vote in spring 2025, September 13, 2024, The Sacramento Business Journal

By Ben van der Meer | September 13, 2024 | The Sacramento Business Journal

The Upper Westside Plan for Natomas is facing “…opposition from smart-growth advocates. The Environmental Council of Sacramento, in opposing another Natomas development project called Airport South, said they worried approval of that project and its changes to the urban services boundary would open the door to even bigger projects like the Upper Westside Plan.”

Click here to read the article in full.

Natomas meeting with Natomas Community Planning Advisory Council (CPAC) 10/3/2024

On October 3, the Natomas Community Planning Council (CPAC) is giving the public an opportunity to comment on the Upper Westside Project. You can submit written comments, phone in, or attend the meeting and comment in person.

Please comment – We want the CPAC to know the community is closely following this project.

How to Participate

  • Note that Upper Westside Specific Plan is Agenda Item #1.

Attend the Meeting: Thursday, October 3, 6 pm, South Natomas Community Center, 2921 Truxel Rd. If you wish to speak, fill out and give the Clerk a Speaker Request Form. You can also attend and just sit with us.
Phone: Listen to the meeting or comment by phone: Teleconference (audio only) dial: (669) 254-5252 (Conference ID: 161 026 9414 and ## to join)
Written Comment: Email a comment to BoardClerk[at]saccounty[dot]gov . For the CPAC to read it before the meeting – send no later than 4 pm.

Meeting Agenda and Agenda Packet documents are here: https://agendanet.saccounty.gov/NatomasCPAC/Meetings/Search?dropid=7&mtids=149#below
Agenda Packet includes a description of the project, DEIR Key Points, and maps.

Airport South Industrial Project: Review by experts, July 17, 2024

Sierra Club, Friends of the Swainson’s Hawk and ECOS submitted expert opinions to the City of Sacramento and LAFCo on the draft Environmental Impact Report for the Airport South Industrial Project. The legal opinions are those of Patrick Soluri, Soluri Meserve, a Law Corporation, expert comments on transportation issues prepared by Daniel Smith (Exhibit 1) and expert comments on biological resource issues prepared by Shawn Smallwood, PhD (Exhibit 2).

Click here to view the letter in full.

Airport South Industrial Project: The position of ECOS, July 31, 2024

On July 31, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to Sacramento-area Elected Officials, Executive and Planning Staff regarding our position on the proposed Airport South Industrial Project for the parcel south of I-5 in Natomas Basin.

Below is an excerpt.

This project would require annexation of farmland into the City and construction of all infrastructure. It will cause great harm to the integrity of the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan, existing preserves, wildlife, and to the Natomas community and school children. It should not be approved.

Click here to read the letter in full.

Review by experts of the Airport South Industrial Project

Sierra Club, Friends of the Swainson’s Hawk and ECOS submitted expert opinions to the City of Sacramento and LAFCo on the draft Environmental Impact Report for the Airport South Industrial Project. The legal opinions are those of Patrick Soluri, Soluri Meserve, a Law Corporation, expert comments on transportation issues prepared by Daniel Smith (Exhibit 1) and expert comments on biological resource issues prepared by Shawn Smallwood, PhD (Exhibit 2).

Click here to view the letter in full.