Public comment, letter to Sacramento Transportation Authority - No support for a measure that encourages sprawl

At yesterday's Sacramento Transportation Authority's monthly meeting, time constraints did not allow for public comment. The letter below was from an Elk Grove resident emailed to the STA's executive director, Russell Hom and part of the permanent record.

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December 12, 2019

Mr. Hom,

I will not be able to attend today's meeting and would like to submit the following comment for the record.

I attended the Elk Grove Open house this past week regarding measure A and the possible sales tax increase. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the guided direction for casting our monies. 

I cannot support a sales tax increase that would benefit future sprawl such as the connector for Elk Grove. Currently, several Sphere of Influence Applications have been submitted and approved by Sacramento LAFCo. The current applications will only support the sprawl concept of Elk Grove's growth policies and poor planning.  Please do not be fooled by the recently approved General Plan update as the plan is guided by "flexible zoning". The SEPA plan (1200 acres) was touted as our employment center. The very first project approved: a residential subdivision with the taxpayers front-loading the monies for the infrastructure. 

Elk Grove residents are front-loading monies for the infrastructure to the undeveloped areas while the city has a $2 million dollar road maintenance deficit. We need our current roads repaired and maintained.

My job has me traveling through all areas of Sacramento County and our current existing roads are in dire need of repair especially in such communities as Del Paso Heights, North Highlands, and Foothill Farms.  My concern is Elk Grove is repeating the pattern of sprawl focus and the decisions of our mayor and city council members will have our roads looking like the older more established areas in the county as they focus on expansion outside our current city boundaries and the urban service boundary.

It is my opinion any thought of a sales tax increase needs to be focused on existing road repair followed by improved light rail, bus, and safe bike and pedestrian routes.

In my discussion with Elk Grove and Sacramento residents I do not hear any wanting the sales tax increase as voters previously approved an increase and have not felt the monies were used as promised.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments.

Sincerely,

Lynn Wheat

Elk Grove Resident and community advocate

Again, many like myself will not support an increase in sales tax that benefits and encourages sprawl in Elk Grove as well as the region.

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