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| Sacramento County Planning and Environmental Review | |
|---|---|
| Name | Sacramento County Planning and Environmental Review |
| Formed | 19th century (county planning functions expanded in 20th century) |
| Jurisdiction | Sacramento County, California |
| Headquarters | Sacramento, California |
| Chief1 name | (Director) |
| Parent agency | County of Sacramento |
| Website | (county website) |
Sacramento County Planning and Environmental Review
Sacramento County Planning and Environmental Review operates as the land use, development, and environmental review arm within Sacramento County, California overseeing policy implementation across Sacramento, California, Carmichael, California, Elk Grove, California, Folsom, California, and unincorporated communities such as Arden-Arcade, California, North Highlands, California, and Rio Linda, California. The office interfaces with regional entities including the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Transportation, and federal agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and United States Army Corps of Engineers. It administers statutory frameworks set by California Environmental Quality Act and coordinates with state-level institutions like the California Natural Resources Agency and the Governor of California's office.
The office's antecedents trace to county administrative activities during the Progressive Era and expansion of planning functions in the aftermath of Great Depression-era public works projects such as those by the Public Works Administration and Works Progress Administration. Mid-20th century growth prompted adoption of countywide general plans influenced by models from the Regional Plan Association and planning scholarship associated with figures like Lewis Mumford and Jane Jacobs. During the postwar suburbanization period linked to the Interstate Highway System and Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, Sacramento County formalized zoning and subdivision controls mirroring practices codified in the Standard State Zoning Enabling Act. Later reforms aligned county procedures with state mandates following landmark actions by the California Legislature and legal precedents such as decisions from the California Supreme Court.
The department reports to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and coordinates with the County Executive. Leadership includes a director appointed by the board, division managers for planning, environmental review, and permitting, and staff roles analogous to those in municipal planning departments like the City of Sacramento Planning and Building Department. It interacts with elected officials including representatives from the California State Assembly and the California State Senate when land use intersects with statewide legislation. The office liaises with advisory bodies such as the Sacramento County Planning Commission and commissions modeled on practices of the American Planning Association.
Key functions include adoption and amendment of the county general plan, zoning ordinances, specific plans, and community plans for places like Natomas, South Sacramento, and Rancho Cordova. The office processes rezones, variances, and land division applications under statutory frameworks influenced by the Subdivider’s Act and local codes paralleling practices in counties such as Los Angeles County, California and Orange County, California. It integrates regional policies from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments and ties to transportation planning with agencies like the Sacramento Regional Transit District and Caltrans District 3.
The environmental review function administers California Environmental Quality Act implementation, preparing and certifying environmental documents such as Environmental Impact Reports and Mitigated Negative Declarations. The office coordinates technical studies with resource agencies including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Conservation, and State Water Resources Control Board. It evaluates impacts on habitats listed under the Endangered Species Act and consults with federal bodies including the National Marine Fisheries Service on aquatic resources. Litigation risk involves case law shaped by decisions from the California Supreme Court and federal courts.
Permitting workflows encompass building permits, grading permits, encroachment permits with Caltrans, and related entitlements. The office reviews infrastructure plans in coordination with the Sacramento County Water Agency, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and local fire protection districts such as the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. It enforces subdivision maps under the Subdivision Map Act and interacts with municipalities such as Folsom, California and Galt, California on annexation and sphere of influence issues overseen by the California Local Agency Formation Commission.
Public outreach leverages hearings before the Sacramento County Planning Commission and board meetings of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, and coordination with neighborhood groups like the Arden Manor Neighborhood Association and business organizations such as the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. The office engages environmental organizations including Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and local chapters of Audubon Society on conservation matters, and works with affordable housing advocates affiliated with statewide actors such as Housing California and the California Housing Partnership. It also coordinates with educational institutions like California State University, Sacramento and University of California, Davis for technical analyses.
Notable initiatives include planning for large-scale projects in Natomas levee improvements connected to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and floodplain management tied to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board. Controversies have revolved around growth on agricultural lands in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, disputes over environmental review similar to cases involving California High-Speed Rail, and debates about infill versus greenfield development reflecting tensions documented in regional plans by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. Litigation and public debate have involved stakeholders including Environmental Defense Fund, local developers, and state agencies such as the California Public Utilities Commission when infrastructure siting intersects with land use decisions.
Category:Sacramento County, California Category:Planning agencies in the United States