Planning director outlines North Watt plan timeline, housing-element amendment

Planning Director Todd Smith told the Sacramento County Planning Commission that two countywide initiatives are on the near-term schedule: the North Watt Avenue specific plan and a housing element amendment prompted by state requirements.

On the North Watt Avenue effort, Smith said the plan — described as a North Watt Corridor special planning area ordinance for North Highlands — was initiated by the Board of Supervisors and is on an aggressive timeline because of grant funding constraints. "We are anticipating that coming to the planning commission, mid next year, June or July ish, in order to get to the board by this time next year," Smith said, and noted staff will conduct outreach as the schedule progresses.

Smith also said the Department of Housing and Community Development is requiring the county to amend its housing element to incorporate properties rezoned during last year's countywide rezone program. He said staff expects the housing-element amendment to come to the commission in January and then to the board in February.

Smith characterized both items as procedural but important steps in meeting state requirements and grant timelines. No votes were taken on those items at the meeting.