The decision clears one of the final regulatory steps for the development, though other hurdles remain.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A controversial development planned for North Natomas cleared a key regulatory hurdle Wednesday after a local agency approved annexing the land into the city of Sacramento, allowing the project to move forward.
The Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission, known as Sacramento LAFCO, voted to approve annexation for the Airport South Industrial Project, bringing about 450 acres near Interstate 5 and Powerline Road into Sacramento city limits.
The decision clears one of the final regulatory steps for the development, though other hurdles remain. A court ruling is still pending in a lawsuit challenging the project.
The Airport South Industrial Project would bring warehouses, hotels and restaurants to an unincorporated stretch of land near Sacramento International Airport.
Developer representatives told commissioners the proposal reflects years of planning and outreach.
“This is an effort shaped by 5 years of detailed planning and technical analyzes and sustained community engagement. We are excited to final be here before you,” said Nick Avids, a developer representative.
Supporters say the development could bring jobs, new tax revenue and economic opportunity to the region.
“This is going to be a big win, not just for the local tax base, but a win for union members and working families,” said a support during Wednesday’s meeting.
But residents nearby and environmental groups say the project raises serious concerns, including traffic congestion, the loss of farmland and the development’s proximity to Paso Verde School in Natomas.
“The staff report which you are asked to make this decision, we believe is incomplete and misleading,” Heather Fargo, during Wednesday public comment.
Heather Fargo, president of the Environmental Council of Sacramento and former Sacramento mayor, said those concerns are central to a lawsuit filed in January against the city of Sacramento and the developer.
“We do know that the air quality cannot be mitigated and that diesel exhaust affects the health of children and older people as well,” Fargo said. “We think that it’s troubling enough and negatively impacts the community enough that it is worth our effort to ask a judge to look it over.”
Opponents asked the commission to pause the vote, but the annexation was approved.
“I think that it’s very concerning to me that the issues related to the environment haven’t really been taken seriously by our elected officials,” Fargo said.
Even with the vote, the annexation is not final. Sacramento LAFCO says the developer has up to one year to meet conditions before the paperwork is officially signed, and the project’s future could still be affected by the court’s decision in the pending lawsuit.
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