SACRAMENTO, Calif. — This story has been updated to include comments from Councilmember Mai Vang.
Plans for 1,106 new homes in South Sacramento got the stamp of approval by city officials Tuesday—making way for the 140.7 acre housing complex.
Known as the 'Stone Beetland' development, at least 198 housing units will be set aside for affordable housing programs.
Sacramento's mixed housing ordinance shows large-scale housing projects must set aside at least 15% of units for affordable housing. This project will set aside about 18%. According to a recent report prepared for city officials, a total of 1,985 affordable housing units have been created under the ordinance as of August 2023.
Developers plan to create both for-sale homes and rental properties in the area northeast of Cosumnes River Boulevard and 24th Street near the Morrison Creek Regional Transit light rail station.
District 8 councilmember Mai Vang said she was excited to have the development in her district.
"I think what's really exciting about this project is that it's a transit-priority development. This project is literally right next to transit," she said. "It also has several bike lanes as well and trails that are really going to allow for that connectivity, which is something South Sacramento doesn't really have."
Planning and Design Commissioners green lit the plan July 27 before sending it to the Sacramento City Council for full approval.
"Amenities such as open space, recreation areas and pedestrian and bicycle paths have been carefully incorporated into the land use plan to maximize the proximity to the nearby light rail station," said a Community Development Department representative.
According to the department, they forwarded the proposal to the following surrounding community groups:
- CivicThread
- Detroit Community Association
- Deerfield/Mesa Grande Neighborhood Association
- Pocket Greenhaven Community Association
- Preservation Sacramento
- Sacramento AREA Bicycle Advocates
- Sacramento Housing Alliance
Neighborhood responses
Community Development Department representatives said Detroit Community Association members supported the diverse housing options and its proximity to public transit, but they are also concerned about traffic impacts and provided recommendation to address it.
CivicThread reportedly commended the housing development application on its planned bike lanes and tails creating direct paths south to the transit station.
South Land Park Terrance neighborhood resident Cynthia Cooke said housing projects that connect to public transit address climate change.
She says people are more likely to use transit if it's a short walk from their front door.
"It makes a great deal of sense to locate affordable housing near mass transit. This will enable people who may not be able to afford a car along with rent to easily use public transit," said Cooke. "Smart and thoughtful urban design is very much needed."
