Elk Grove Grasp Ignites Much Needed SOI, Annexation Debate

Is Elk Grove throwing its “underwater homeowners an anchor, not a buoy” with SOI?

UPDATED 2;10 p.m.

With the emergence of the anti-Sphere of Influence (SOI) advocacy group Elk Grove Grasp, a new and worthy debate has started. That debate is this - does the city need to pursue its SOI application that if approved could lead to the annexation of more land into Elk Grove.

A few weeks ago the Elk Grove Grasp (EGG) anti-SOI group launched and announced its intention to educate and spur a discussion on the need for the city to pursue the SOI that could eventually lead to annexation. EGG’s has staked out the position that the SOI is unnecessary.

If nothing else, EGG has sparked an interesting debate on the matter.

Aside from coverage in Elk Grove media, the Sacramento Bee has picked up on the issue. In the February 2 edition of the Bee, a viewpoint by Michael Easton, former project director at the Cosumnes River Preserve criticized the LAFCO’s environmental impact report as a “half-hearted analysis that misses or avoids many key issues – not the kind of clear decision-making tool that this organization's board of directors deserves.”

In a point that probably hits close to most people in Elk Grove, Eaton says “for Elk Grove citizens hoping for a rebound in property values, the expansion goes in the wrong direction, fueling expectations of more land for more sprawl. Elk Grove is throwing its underwater homeowners an anchor, not a buoy.”

In response to the criticism, Elk Grove Mayor Jim Cooper and Councilman Gary Davis were given equal time by the Bee and opined yesterday on the merits of the already scaled back SOI application.

Cooper and Davis argue that given the current real estate depression, now is the perfect time to make “prudent” decisions about the city’s future needs. Furthermore, done properly, they believe the SOI and ensuing annexation can avoid piecemeal development and solve Elk Grove’s long standing job and housing imbalance.

They further state “And, frankly, it is much easier to craft a plan that puts residents' interests first when there aren't as many developers pushing their own agendas.”

So what are Elk Grove residents saying? Well the following comment was found on Davis’ Facebook posting regarding the piece he and Cooper penned. It comes from the well respected and civic minded Elk Grove resident Sarah Johnson.

Have read both articles and have heard the arguments on both sides. For me, the problem with expanding our SOI lies in trust in the implementation. Words on paper are just that, the interpretation and implementation of the words on the paper are where I most often have issues. The "semantics" of politics have surprised me in the past to the extent that I have very little trust that the words mean the same thing to all of us.

So what do you think about the SOI? For the people of Elk Grove, the SOI will determine the future path of our city and is a conversation that is long overdue.