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Monday's Internet Edition, January 05, 2009.
Wilton applauds delay in Elk Grove’s encroach on floodplain
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Photo by Fran Soto
Representing Wilton residents, Bill Kutzer addresses the members of Sacramento Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCo) and urges protection of the Cosumnes and Deer Creek floodplain. The meeting of LAFCo was held Oct. 1.
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By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
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For the past several months, the community of Wilton has fought hard to stem Elk Grove’s desire to include the Cosumnes River and Deer Creek floodplain into their city limits. In this process, Elk Grove was first required to submit their application to increase their Sphere of Influence (SOI) to the Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo). According to Peter Brundage, executive officer with LAFCo, Elk Grove has now requested a 90-day delay in the consideration of their application as they work with Sacramento County on the floodplain issue.
This delay was announced at the Wednesday, Oct. 1 meeting of LAFCo. Representatives from the Wilton Action Group (WAG), which has organized the protest of the proposed expansion by Elk Grove, were in attendance at the meeting in downtown Sacramento. “We understand that Elk Grove is reconsidering the scope of their SOI proposal,” said Wilton resident Bill Kutzer in his address before the LAFCo meeting. “This is a welcome signal as the city is beginning to recognize the negative implication of sprawl in the region.”
Kutzer also reiterated to the commissioners WAG’s concerns with Elk Grove’s proposed appropriation of the floodplain. He said that it was vital that development be avoided in the 100-year Cosumnes and Deer Creek floodplain, that the floodplain be protected from any additional strain on the area’s already endangered water supply and habitat, and that an environmental report be prepared. “We recommend this commission direct staff to work with representatives from Elk Grove based on the following principles: They are floodplain and habitat preservation, responsible management of regional water resources, consistency with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) blueprint and AB 32,” Kutzer said.
Wilton resident Barbara Washburn spoke to the specifics of AB 32, anti-sprawl legislation, and SACOG as they affect Elk Grove’s SOI application and the Cosumnes and Deer Creek floodplain.
Stressing that the thrust of AB 32, which was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on Sept. 30, is to reduce emissions by reducing vehicle miles, Washburn cited a suit brought by the Attorney General and the Sierra Club against the city of Stockton.
The city of Stockton was required to emphasize development within the downtown area and de-emphasize peripheral development to reduce vehicle miles. “I urge you to consider this precedent-setting legislation and lawsuit in your consideration of Elk Grove’s SOI,” Washburn said. “The actions taken by LAFCo will affect how our region is able to deal with the challenges posed by climate change.”
Washburn also noted that SACOG has identified sufficient land in Elk Grove to accommodate the city’s projected growth through year 2035 with 1,700 acres to spare.
During this delay, WAG will be meeting to study further the implications of the SOI proposal. The next meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Wilton Fire District Station 81 at the corner of Dillard and Wilton roads.
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