Description of the Comprehensive Plan Process/History

The Vineyard Springs Comprehensive Plan is a joint effort of the Sacramento County Planning and Community Development Department and individual property owners within the planning area, known as the Vineyard Springs Participating Property Owners Group. The Vineyard Springs Comprehensive Plan has evolved as a result of a range of public participation from property owners within the Plan area, County staff, local residents, planning advisory council members and representatives of the environmental community. The following outlines the planning background, which led to the preparation and adoption of the Comprehensive Plan.

Comprehensive Plan Initiation
On August 10, 1994, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution #94-1027 supporting a comprehensive approach for the future planning of the Vineyard Growth Area. On March 15, 1995, the Board adopted Resolution #95-0291 initiating a Comprehensive Planning program for the Vineyard Springs Planning area. On April 12, 1995, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Vineyard Springs Comprehensive Plan Guidance Package, (i.e., work program and schedule) and executed a funding agreement for the receipt and administration of funding, to prepare a Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the project area.

Citizens Advisory Committee Process
A special community participation program was implemented to facilitate local citizens and property owner involvement in the preparation of a land use plan for the Vineyard Springs area. A "VACPAC Subcommittee" (Citizens Advisory Committee) was established by the Board as a subcommittee of the VACPAC responsible for identifying the goals and objectives of the Vineyard Springs Comprehensive Planning Program and providing a forum for community participation during the preparation of the land use plan. The Subcommittee included representatives from VACPAC, residents from the surrounding area, non-applicant property owners within the boundaries of the planning area and the Vineyard Springs Property Owners Group. The VACPAC Subcommittee and other interested parties met on six separate occasions to consider the preparation of the Plan's guiding principles, land use/circulation strategy, and to discuss issues associated with the preparation of the Plan. Residents in the immediate vicinity of the Plan area were also notified of key meeting dates so that their input could be gathered. All meetings were conducted in the evening at the Florin Fire Station, located along Excelsior Road. On July 20, 1995, the Subcommittee of the VACPAC endorsed a land use plan for Vineyard Springs.

Board of Supervisors Workshop
During the August 16, 1995 workshop the Vineyard Springs Comprehensive Plan, the Board directed the Planning Department to submit the draft land use plan and an alternative to the Department of Environmental Review and Assessment for environmental review. The Board also directed the Planning Department to process rezone/tentative map applications for individual projects within the Vineyard Springs planning area submitted before September 16, 1995, provided that such applications are consistent with either the draft Land Use Plan or the alternative. Three such individual applications, known as Bradshaw Vineyards, Calvine Crossing and Wildhawk Estates (AKA Vineyard Springs Estates), were submitted to the County for processing.

Technical Studies & Preparation of Environmental Impact Report
Following direction received from the Board during the August 16, 1995 workshop on the Vineyard Springs Comprehensive Plan, detailed technical studies were prepared for the project. The technical studies examined various infrastructure requirements of the Comprehensive Plan. Reports were prepared, and many cases, updated on multiple occasions, for the following technical areas: traffic/circulation, geological conditions/soils, biological resources, noise, cultural resources, environmental site assessment, sanitary sewer, drainage, water supply, groundwater supply, and infrastructure finance.

The Environmental Coordinator for the County after reviewing the application and completing an Initial Study determined that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was required. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) for a Draft EIR was issued on February 13, 1996, to solicit comments from interested persons and agencies. The comment period for the NOP closed on March 18, 1996. The DEI R was prepared and released for public comment on June 30, 1998.

Public Hearing Process
Six public hearings were held before the Policy Planning Commission, during which time the Commission accepted public comments on the DEIR as well as public testimony on the Vineyard Springs Comprehensive Plan (VSCP) Project. The public hearing for the VSCP Project before the Commission was duly noticed in compliance with State law and County ordinances. On September 10, 1998, the Commission held its first public hearing on the VSCP Project. The Commission held subsequent public hearings on the following dates: September 17, 1998, October 14, 1998, October 28, 1998, December 1, 1998 and January 27, 1999. The public comment period for the DEIR remained open until the Policy Planning Commission concluded its public hearings on the VSCP Project on January 27, 1999. On January 27, 1999, the Commission recognized the DEIR and directed DERA to respond to comments received and prepare the FEIR. The Commission recommended to the Board approval of a modified version of the Land Use Plan endorsed by the VACPAC Subcommittee.

A FEIR was prepared in compliance with CEQA, which includes comments upon the DEIR and response to said comments, received during the public review period. The FEIR was released on September 1, 1999 and distributed for public review.

The public hearing for the VSCP Project before the Board was noticed in compliance with State law and County ordinances. On September 15, 1999, the Board held its first regular public hearing on the VSCP Project. The Board held its second regular public hearing on the VSCP Project on September 29, 1999. During the September 29, 1999 hearing, the Board took the following actions: determined that the environmental analysis is adequate, complete and appropriate and certified the FEIR, directed the Planning Department staff to prepare Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations and tentatively approved the General Plan Amendment per Resolution No. 99-1344.

On October 20, 1999, the Board adopted the Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations and took final action through the adoption of the General Plan Amendment Resolution. It then continued its consideration of the balance of the VSCP Project requests.

The Board subsequently held public hearings on December 8, 1999, January 12, 2000, January 26, 2000, February 9, 2000, March 15, 2000, May 10, 2000, May 16, 2000 and June 7, 2000 to discuss the VSCP Project. On June 7, 2000, the Board tentatively approved the Community Plan Amendment and took tentative action to adopt the VSCP Project Comprehensive Plan Policy Document, incorporating the Board Land Plan for the VSCP Project. The Board also tentatively approved the Rezone for Bradshaw Vineyards; the Rezone and Tentative Subdivision Map for Calvine Crossing; and the Rezone, Tentative Subdivision Map and Boundary Line Adjustment for Wildhawk Estates.

The Board then continued the matter to June 21, 2000 and on this date, the Board approved the Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations for final action on the Community Plan, Comprehensive Plan and Individual Projects; and approved the necessary zoning ordinance amendments and final action on the Bradshaw Vineyards Tentative Subdivision Map and Special Development Permit.