“Getting it Done“ – Smart Growth/Mobility in Sacramento County

Judy Robinson, Infill Coordinator, Sacramento County

RobinsonJu@saccounty.net

(916) 874-4551

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW:• General Plan & Infill Growth Strategies

• Past, present and future development on County Transit Priority Corridors - No Watt & Folsom Blvd.

• Collaboration with Sac County, City of Rancho Cordova, SACOG, RT, Property Owners to:• Remove the existing barriers on the corridor, • Provide infrastructure improvements to enable and

incentivize future transit oriented development. • Improve access for the existing communities

RETHINKING GROWTH MANAGEMENT

Blueprint Changed the General Plan FocusResulting in new growth management strategies!

1. Focus on infill and commercial corridors……2. Reign in regional sprawl and3. Revitalize neighborhoods & create sense of

place.

FOCUS ON:• Preserving Unique and Mature Communities• Corridor and District Planning

• Community / Neighborhood Character and Sense of Place

• Walk & Bike-ability• Decentralization of Services• Re-Develop using Smart Growth Principles• Encouraging Diverse yet Compatible Land Uses

Infill and Corridor Strategy

Focus public investmentswith a Smart Growth “Development Plan”……get the land use zoning (RD-60 & MU) …then build it !!

1. Identify “opportunity” sites

2. Identify the barriers and constraints

3. Develop sustainable solutions and infrastructure

Public Investment

Jobs & Housing

8 D’s Location Efficiency

No. Highlands Town Center & Development Code

4 D’s1. Density (up to RD-60)2. Diversity (mix of uses + jobs)

3. Destination (parks, museum, schools, services)4. Design (form based code with designs)plus5. Distance to Transit (1/2 mile)6. Development Scale (infill and vacant sites)7. Demographics (disadvantaged community)8. Demand Management (reduced & shared parking)

Location Efficiency

• Aerospace Museum of CaliforniaNo Highlands Service Center

• Freedom Community ParkJoyce Elementary School

• California Family Fitness McClellan Business Park

• Serna Village No Highlands Community Center and Mercy Health

Clinic

Collaboration

New Municipal Services Agency-MSA model“Cooperation, Collaboration & Sharing

Resources”

Identify Barriers, Constraints & Opportunities

Getting “Shovel-ready”

Sewer connection & capacity

Drainage

Dry utilities incl. fiberWater supply and capacity

Identify Barriers, Constraints & Opportunities

Freedom Park Drive Sustainable “Green Street” Project

Getting “Shovel-ready”

Create shovel-ready “developable” infill sites & corridor plans

• Investment of $10m+• Walk & Bike-able• Sustainable• Provide sewer and water

(6” domestic & 12” fire)

Complete Green Sustainable Street

Getting to SB 375

Green Street Performance Metrics

Getting SB 375 in the Ground

123 Trees Planted = 5,300 lbs of CO2 sequestered in 1st yr.2-9º temp –urban heat island reduction3,900sf of tree shade

Improved Sidewalks & Bike lanes = 14,000 lbs reduction in ozone precursors per year.

River Friendly Landscaped Median & Swales = 30% water conservation 98% infiltrated run-off 10yr storm100% stormwater treatment by plants964 lbs/yr in GHG reductions

Sustainable Street Performance Metrics

SB 375 in the Ground

2 Round-abouts = Reduced vehicle emissions by eliminating starts & stops at a 4-way stop.

LED Street lighting = 50% energy reduction

Access & Connectivity

Recycled Rubberized Asphalt = 4,000 tires recycled

Destinations – Parks, Museum, Schools…Served by frequent transit

Health Performance Metrics

Health Benefits

Walking distance to Transit = min. daily req. for physical activity, Surgeon General.

Fact: A 5% increase in neighborhood walk-ability has been associated with 6.5% fewer vehicle miles traveled, and 1-2 lbs. In weight reduction.Fact: Using transit = 81% reduced odds of becoming obese.

Fact: People walk 70 minutes longer in pedestrian friendly communities. Fact: 25% reduced asthma rates in children living on tree lined streets

What’s next?

Building & “ground-truthing” the SACOG Blueprint in transit priority areas.

$1 million max.

$3 million max.

The next place….

FOLSOM BLVD. TRANSIT CORRIDOR

Why Folsom Transit Corridor?

1. TOD land uses

2. Transit Priority area

3. Available Lt. Rail, Transit, parallels Hwy 50 & other infrastructure.

4. On-going Public investment

5. Existing communities with many infill & location opportunities.

6. Willing Developers

Opportunities – in existing communities

Transit Stations & Roadways

Jobs – Franchise Tax Board 6,000 employees

Schools, Libraries & ParksNeighborhood Shopping

Existing Infrastructure

Folsom Blvd - Prior industrial and RR uses

Identify Gaps

1. Identify needed infrastructure and costs for development of 5 TODs, and

2. Connect and access our communities thru safe and improved bike/ped facilities and access to transit.

Sustainable Communities Planning Grant - $1.5 million to:

Complete Street-Folsom Blvd.

Connecting neighborhoods to transitSafety for all modes

Creating & Enhancing Access

vs.

No sidewalks

Public-Private Partnerships

We’re in this together…..1. Funding for local governments for infill infrastructure

projects in transit priority areas- especially TODs. (Direct more state and federal $ to smart growth, walkable, sustainable projects.)

2. CEQA relief for Infill projects in Transit Priority Areas – SACOG SCS/SB375 other incentives needed.

3. Capitalize on existing infrastructure & location efficiencies.

4. Maximize and build on our existing communities.

5. Small & incremental quality, sustainable development.

6. Stay the course.

Thank you

“Getting it Done“ – Smart Growth/Mobility in Sacramento County

Judy Robinson, Infill Coordinator, Sacramento County

RobinsonJu@saccounty.net

(916) 874-4551