Proposed El Camino SPA Feasibility Study

April 30, 2008 Public Information Meeting - Public Questions & Responses

Question: What is the difference between rezoning and adopting an SPA? Why does the Arden Arcade Community Action Plan call for the feasibility study of an SPA, instead of the feasibility study of rezoning?

Answer:  An SPA is a set of development standards, in addition to existing zoning standards, to address special land use needs in a given geographic area. Rezoning changes existing zoning, rather than adding a set of development standards to existing zoning standards. Because an SPA adds to existing zoning standards, it is effectively a zoning change, or rezone.

Existing zoning provides very specific criteria for land use. Because existing zoning standards are so specific, they may not suit all of the special needs of the proposed SPA area. Special planning areas, in contrast, are individually crafted for each community that they apply to. Applying an SPA to the proposed area, rather than merely rezoning it, would provide community members with the flexibility to craft land use and development standards that are individually suited to the proposed area.

Sacramento County is required to maintain an inventory of land to accommodate its share of regional housing need, as allocated by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). This inventory is a required part of the Sacramento County General Plan Housing Element. Any rezone must support this inventory. Additionally, rezoning land from multi-family zoning to single family zoning would require further review, to ensure consistency with the Sacramento County General Plan.

Question: If adopted, would the El Camino SPA be a Redevelopment Area, or subject to Eminent Domain?

Answer: No. The Community Redevelopment Law does not apply to the proposed SPA, and it is not subject to Eminent Domain. Very specific criteria must be met in order to qualify as a redevelopment area under the Community Redevelopment Law. The proposed SPA does not qualify as a redevelopment area under the Community Redevelopment Law. Redevelopment has not been discussed or considered at all for the proposed SPA. For reference, the text of the Community Redevelopment Law is available at the California Housing and Community Development website: http://www.hcd.ca.gov/hpd/rda/rdalaw.html .

Question:  Should the El Camino SPA feasibility study proceed, how would the working group be selected?

Answer: If adequate community support exists to proceed with creating the proposed   El Camino SPA, formation of a working group would occur when the project is commenced. The level of interest expressed in working group participation at the public information meeting would necessitate a selection process, in order to achieve a functional membership size for the working group. A determination would have to be made on how to select the working group, should the El Camino SPA proceed.

A working group would only be needed assuming there is adequate community support to proceed with the proposed El Camino SPA. As a result of the public feedback obtained at the public information meeting for the El Camino SPA, County staff will further gauge community support, for this option and possible alternative options, before proceeding with the project.