LAFCo Staff Recommends Smaller Elk Grove SOI, Expansion

October 28, 2013 | In a report released Friday, the Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) executive staff has recommen...

October 28, 2013 |

In a report released Friday, the Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) executive staff has recommended approval of Elk Grove's expansion plan, but by roughly half of what the city is seeking.

The executive staff of the Sacramento LAFCo, which by state law has jurisdiction on annexation plans, is recommending to its seven-person board that Elk Grove be granted its sphere of influence (SOI) application but for 4,040-acres, the so-called enhanced regional alternate, not the 7,869-acres it is seeking. Approval of the SOI is the first and most significant step Elk Grove will take on its way to annexing the acreage which is on the city's southern border.

Several years in the making, Elk Grove City Council members, numerous business interests and residential real estate developers have long advocated for the SOI saying it will help attract businesses needed to correct the city's worst-in-the-region jobs to house imbalance. Opponents of the SOI included the Sierra Club and Environmental Club of Sacramento have voiced concern on the long term effects they believe it will have on the Cosumnes River flood plain and the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Preserve.

Several Elk Grove residents and groups such as Elk Grove GRASP have expressed skepticism on the city's true intent of annexation noting the city has a long history of rezoning to accommodate more residential building. In the last year Elk Grove City Council Member Pat Hume commented from the dais that it was his belief that businesses will not be attracted to the city until more residential units are built.

As part of their recommendation for the enhanced regional alternate, the report says the land being put under Elk Grove SOI should be dedicated to correcting the city's jobs to houses imbalance and future development of the SOI area be linked allowed only upon completion of infill projects in the city and region. The reports states the city currently has about 15,000 retail and food service jobs which makes up about 22 percent of all jobs in the city and the city currently has about 2,800-acres of unplanned area that represents about 11 percent of the current area. 

The LAFCo board of directors can either accept the recommendation, alter it, deny it or outright deny the city's entire application. Sacramento LAFCO is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, November 6 to discuss Elk Grove's SOI. 

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9 comments

Frederick Nelson said...

Really quite interesting, especially in light of Davis pushing a 4000+ acre SOI. At the time that information was divulged I questioned why Davis was pushing for such an odd amount.

I am against the SOI in its entirety, but more than ever I am questioning what our esteemed Mayor is doing behind closed doors that no one, meaning residents and council, knows about. Time to come clean Mr. Davis. This city can't afford anymore back room deals.

And with respect to Hume, once a developer always a developer. He has to protect his family's interests with regard to the land they either own or have options on in the SOI and transition zone; as well as pay for those campaign dollars he received from the big landowners in the SOI planning area. At least he's consistent.

Jill said...

One can only imagine what sort of backroom deal the mayor is cooking up with Fabian Nunez. The mayor seems to think he is paying with Monopoly money when he cooks up theses half-baked ideas.

But back to the SOI, in the end the mayor and council well probably have their way and just build more rooftops. That is their true "laser focus" here.

Shoo! said...

Unless LAFCo places a restriction on the SOI that it MUST be used for jobs, watch what the city does. "Hybrid" zoning, anything goes, whatever the market will support. More of the same rooftops and retail. Dirt equals money. Citizens equal little knats buzzing around the developer's moneybags. Shoo!

Anonymous said...

Bureaucrats regulating bureaucrats--what a joke!

BAInc said...

I really don't see how any of this land is going to solve our jobs to population problem. Are they planning job centers for Google, Amazon, and Apple down on Bruceville and Eschinger or Lambert Roads? None of those companies are coming, especially down there.

The SOI doesn't even add much freeway frontage which is what employers want. Good grief.

Anonymous said...

4,000 acres or 8,000 acres....

"choosing the lesser of two evils is still evil"

Jerry Garcia

Anonymous said...

Oh, so now we aspire to have a warehouse like Amazon as the basis for more land. Warehouse jobs, livable wages!

Michael Monasky said...

I've tried to be consistent in my critique of this expansion of Elk Grove's sphere of influence.
There are geographic barriers between current city boundaries and the proposed annexation. These barriers would exacerbate traffic congestion and increase tailpipe emissions.
This is just one of many issues facing folks in the region.
Meanwhile, our air quality isn't getting any better.

Anonymous said...

MM..Very interesting..could you expand on this? "There are geographic barriers" Thanks

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