Sacramento formally opposes county-backed Natomas housing project. Is that common?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sacramento City Council opposed Upper Westside project in an 8–1 vote.
- Council cited traffic, school funding and water supply as primary concerns.
- County maintains project meets policy goals and addresses housing demand.
In an unprecedented move, the city of Sacramento will formally challenge a county-backed housing development — potentially setting up a showdown between the two governmental agencies.
The decision stems from the city’s concerns about the proposal to build a 25,000-person community in an unincorporated part of Natomas. The project, known as Upper Westside, would be located 3.5 miles north of downtown and bring more than 9,000 housing units.
But Sacramento city officials argue the development would violate a decades old habitat conservation plan and has a litany of unresolved infrastructure issues. These include increased traffic on already strained local roads, no agreement to finance the new schools needed and worries about a permanent water source.
The county, in a recent city staff report, responded to the concerns by saying the project was consistent with policies, environmentally responsible and essential for meeting housing demands.
“I would hope that in its deliberations, the board would consider the issues that have been raised, that those working on this project would consider the concerns that have been articulated, that we could have a conversation that could lead us to an outcome that serves our interest to the greatest degree possible,” said Councilmember Roger Dickinson at a Tuesday City Council meeting.
At the meeting, the council approved in a 8-1 vote to formally send the letter outlining the city’s concerns. Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum was the sole vote against.
The city could not immediately confirm if this was the first time in its history that the elected body would send out such a letter. But letters of opposition from the City Council are uncommon, said city spokesperson Gabby Miller.
“In this case, the letter was a document City Council wanted to have public discussion on and a leadership role in the process,” Miller said in a statement. “Letters of opposition are typically carried out at staff level.”
Ken Casparis, a county spokesperson for community development, said Sacramento County officials had not received the letter as of Wednesday afternoon. He added that the county had conducted “robust conversation” to residents located in and near Natomas since project planning began in 2019.
“There’s also been some chatter out there about a lack of communication about this project,” Casparis said.
Whether the council’s opposition will sway the Board of Supervisors remains uncertain. The supervisors are expected to vote on the project Aug. 20.
“I hope so,” said Councilmember Karina Talamantes on Tuesday.
