An online community forum called “The Future of Sacramento Neighborhoods: Who Will Decide?” is free to the public! It is co-hosted by East Sacramento Preservation (https://eastsacpreservation.org/) and Save Sacramento Neighborhoods (https://no2rezone.wordpress.com/).
To Register in advance for this meeting go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqc-itqTgtHNRxAFeYcn-Nqc_fXewIKC96

Presenters include:

Chris Jones a resident of Colonial Heights in Sacramento since 2016. Chris participates in several community organizations including the Colonial Heights Neighborhood Association, and Hope for Sacramento, a homelessness advocacy group. Chris currently holds a BS in Information Technology and an MB. He works as a Project Manager in the Healthcare/IT field.

Maggie Coulter is with Save Sacramento Neighborhoods. She is president of the Elmhurst Neighborhood Association; has worked as a land use planner and in affordable housing for the CA Dept. of Housing and Community Development. Maggie is a long/time Sacramento resident and peace, justice, and environmental activist.

Emily Gabel-Luddy served for nearly 10 years on Burbank City Council, twice as Mayor, focusing on affordable housing issues. She has broad experience in planning as a zoning administrator, and urban designer during her 30 year career as a public servant. Emily volunteers as a legislative analyst for Livable California.

Isaiah Madison is an urban planner and community organizer in South Los Angeles. He chairs his local Neighborhood Council planning committee, educating on pending legislation and development proposals. Isaiah also serves on the Board of Livable California.

The city of Sacramento is drafting a General Plan, including the Housing Element, to take effect in 2022. This plan proposes major changes to Sacramento neighborhoods including:

1) End single-family zoning in traditional neighborhoods by allowing up to six units on all single family lots (called “upzoning”),
2) Eliminate requirements for residential and commercial buildings to require on-site parking.
3) Remove all gas and require electric-only in all buildings. This will start with new construction and then existing homes and businesses will have to comply by a certain time.
4) Reduce driving lanes and parking on certain major streets, which may impact emergency services and increase road congestion.

This forum will summarize the City’s proposals and rationale then, offer a careful look at the impact of these proposed changes. It will also include a review of state-wide legislative proposals to eliminate single family zoning (aka “Upzoning”).

Once residents understand details to the 2040 General Plan proposal, the concerns and questions begin to rise. City advocates say ending single family zoning will create “affordable housing.” Also, that it will a right the wrongs of past racial discrimination.
Opponents cannot find any evidence for these claims in the plan or the research. In fact, research has shown examples where “upzoning” has resulted in higher cost housing and more racial segregation plus, other concerns.

For more information, email: No2Rezone@gmail.com