S A C R A M E N T O C O U N T Y JACKSON HIGHWAY & GRANT LINE EAST VISIONING STUDY

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1 JACKSON HIGHWAY & GRANT LINE EAST S A C R A M E N T O C O U N T Y P L A N N I N G D E P A R T M E N T SUMMARY AND WORKBOOK November 19, 2008

2 History of the Visioning Study Sacramento County has two growth boundaries: (1) the Urban Services Boundary (USB), which demarcates the area within which all long-term urbanization will occur; and (2) the Urban Policy Area (UPA), which demarcates the 20 year supply of developable land sufficient to accommodate projected growth. Sacramento County UPA and USB N Growth can be accommodated within the UPA through infill development, redevelopment along commercial corridors, and build-out of planned communities. However, these strategies cannot accommodate all of the projected growth for Sacramento County. The remainder will be targeted into new growth areas outside of the existing UPA. The four new growth areas identified in the Draft General Plan 2030 are: (1) Easton, (2) the area West of Watt, (3) Jackson Highway, and (4) Grant Line East. These areas were selected for their location adjacent to existing development and the UPA, in accordance with SACOG s Blueprint Vision for targeted growth. The Jackson Highway and Grant Line East Visioning Study grew out of the Board of Supervisors desire to create an overarching vision to guide potential future development in the new growth areas before development begins. The Board directed staff to conduct a process to achieve this goal. General Plan Update Timeline August 25, 2004: first General Plan update workshop 2 November 9, 2005: Board endorsed staff s four growth management strategies December 6, 2005: staff directed to evaluate UPA expansion areas; Board endorsed SACOG s Blueprint expectation for 99,770 housing units by April 19, 2006: Jackson Highway West included in the UPA expansion January 31, 2007: staff directed to implement the Visioning program February 13, 2007: Grant Line East included in the UPA expansion

3 The resultant Visioning Study provides policy direction tailored to the specific needs of the Jackson Highway and Grant Line East planning areas. The Study also illustrates how policies may translate into development in the long-term. Because development of the visioning areas is expected to occur over several decades on a piecemeal basis, the Visioning Study is necessary to align each phase of planning and development with both the County s and communities long-term objectives. The Vision for the Jackson Highway and Grant Line East areas is sustainable development of the highest quality. Sustainable development encompasses (1) the creation of a vibrant and stable local economy that provides jobs, goods, and a tax base for the provision of services; (2) the protection of valuable natural resources that support human health and well-being; and (3) the development of a safe, healthy, equitable social fabric that provides all people with the opportunity to live, work, and be educated within the community. The Planning Principles of the Visioning Study sets forth the specific policies that will achieve these goals. Three Components of Sustainable Development This Policy Summary and Workbook is intended to elicit specific feedback on the Jackson Highway and Grant Line East Visioning Study. The following pages contain a summary of each Planning Principle from the Visioning Study, as well as some specific examples from the policy text. Space is provided next to each summary for your questions, comments, and suggestions. This feedback will be used to amend the Planning Principles and will inform the final draft of the Visioning Study document September 9, 2008: Visioning Study accepted by the Policy Planning Commission November 19, 2008: staff presents the results of the Visioning Study to the Board December 2009: anticipated General Plan adoption 3

4 Planning Principles Creation of Complete Communities (Land Use and Development, Pages 15-16) The Visioning study aims to move away from traditional single-use development toward mixed-use, complete communities. Such communities have the potential to reduce traffic congestion, improve health, integrate neighborhoods, and localize jobs and tax dollars. The appropriate mix of uses will vary by community; therefore, a targeted mix of land uses will be identified in each Master Plan to guide the planning process. Transit facilities and infrastructure will be extended concurrently with the development of strategic nodes inside the planning area. VP-1. Break from past patterns of development that have disproportionately favored lower-density residential to the exclusion of other densities and uses. Modify County policies, ordinances, standards, regulations, codes, etc. that create barriers to desired development. Logical and Orderly Extension of New Growth (Urban Expansion, Pages 17-19) Targeting development within and adjacent to existing growth areas has the potential to reduce infrastructure construction and service costs and to create higherquality communities. Therefore, Urban Expansion policies call for the Visioning areas Master Plans to establish phases for the construction of infrastructure and civic amenities concurrent with development. A finance plan detailing associated costs should accompany the phasing component. VP-5. Master Plans are required for new development in the Visioning Areas. Master Planning Areas of approximately 500 to 3,000 acres within the UPA will be identified to facilitate complete and orderly growth in new growth areas. 4

5 Green Building and Sustainable Energy (Energy and Sustainability, Pages 20 22) Encouraging green building, green development patterns, and the use of sustainable energy sources will result in social, health, and environmental benefits for the public as well as potential regulatory and financial benefits to developers. In this respect, each Master Plan will generate some or all energy on-site using renewable resources. Each Master Plan will be rated for sustainability based on LEED-ND criteria. Additionally, all new residential, commercial, office/industrial, and civic buildings are encouraged to meet criteria of the Build it Green, Title 24, or LEED green building certification programs. VP-17. Master Plans shall provide appropriate development standards to facilitate on-site energy generation via renewable resources and other sustainable practices. Habitat and Agricultural Preservation (Biological Resources, Pages 23-25) The Visioning study aims to preserve habitat and farmland in order to conserve important natural resources and to protect the agricultural lifestyles and businesses historically characteristic of the Visioning area. Residential use permits near agricultural areas will require right-to-farm notification. The County will also facilitate the creation of a new agricultural tourism center showcasing the agricultural activities and history of the East County areas. The Policy document encourages an interconnected trail system which would allow residents access to open space and passive recreation. VP-28. Develop and implement a uniform and equitable procedure for the acquisition of, and potential compensation for, critical habitat and other resource lands desired for conservation through the entitlement process for new development and/or through a defined system for the transfer of development rights. 5

6 Multi-Modal Transportation and Complete Streets (Transportation, Pages 37-43) The Visioning study aims to make the provision of multi-modal transit options and complete streets a part of the Master Planning process. These provisions have the potential to reduce traffic congestion, improve health, and support comprehensive public transit. Master Plans must set aside right-of-way to accommodate alternative transit modes, provide connections between existing and proposed transportation infrastructure, and achieve densities supportive of public transit. Community centers and downtown areas should feature a highdensity grid network of streets, with shorter blocks and pedestrian- and bicycle-scaled amenities. VP-74. Develop using average residential and commercial densities that maximize transit system ridership. Water Quality and Supply (Water Quality and Supply & Stormwater Quality, Pages 26-28) Water is a vital but limited resource. Future development should accommodate water supply capacity rather than competing with existing agricultural uses. Therefore, water sources for new development must be identified at the Master Plan level and should comply with the Best Management Practices established by the California Urban Water Conservation Council. Additionally, Master Plans should consider development impacts on stormwater runoff and strive to disperse as much runoff on-site as possible by utilizing Low Impact Development strategies and reducing contiguous impervious surfaces. VP-36. All new development shall provide the infrastructure necessary to maximize the use of non-potable water. 6

7 Minimize Flooding (Flood Control, Pages 29-30) In accordance with the statewide flood control standard, the Visioning study recommends that urban development should not occur within the 200-year flood plain. Integrated Open Spaces (Parks and Public Places, Page 31) Parks and public spaces in urban areas can create public health and social benefits by accommodating social gatherings, recreation, exercise, and public art, among other activities. Recognizing the importance of these activities, the Visioning study calls for Master Plans to create accessible outdoor spaces that are integrated with community developments and linked to compatible uses, pedestrian walkway systems, and transit facilities. The Visioning study also recommends that the beneficial environmental impacts of open space be enhanced through the use of shade structures and heat reflective paving and roofing materials. VP-46. Create parks and open spaces that serve multiple purposes (i.e. recreation, art display, research and education, etc.) and are co-located with other compatible uses (such as schools). Public Safety (Public Safety, Page 36) Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), a design strategy used to facilitate passive surveillance, has the potential to reduce the need for costly security and monitoring services while preventing criminal behavior. Therefore, Public Safety policies call for landscaping, architecture, and site design within the Visioning areas to utilize CPTED techniques. 7

8 Public Services (Municipal, Human, and Safety Services, Pages 32-33) Municipal, human, and safety service needs will be most effective when identified and located prior to development. Consequently, sites, facilities, and right-of-way should be identified and dedicated during the Master Planning process. Master Plans should identify all major corridors and necessary facilities related to utilities and emergency response. Facilities should be geographically dispersed to provide service to people in all communities. VP-56. Locations for medical care, child care, and human assistance and social service facilities should be geographically dispersed to provide critical services to people in all communities. A Healthy, Sustainable Economy (Economic Development, Pages 34-35) Economic Development policies aim to create a healthy and sustainable economy and tax base in the Visioning areas. At the regional economic level, these policies recommend protecting existing assets and designating sites for large-scale commercial that utilize transportation infrastructure. At the local level, Master Plans should designate sites for neighborhood and community commercial uses that add value to adjacent uses. The Visioning study also calls for green business development, habitat conservation, public space creation, and high quality design to increase the image, value, and competitiveness of the area in regional markets. VP-61. Require development and integration of diverse housing types that will suit the needs of businesses for housing that is affordable and attractive to workers, ranging from retail and food service workers to professionals and executives. 8