Sacramento Planning and Design Commission Meeting – February 12, 2026

The Sacramento Planning and Design Commission met on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 5:33 PM, adjourning at 7:55 PM. The commission voted to continue two agenda items without discussion and held a public hearing on the Alhambra Redevelopment Project (P24-007), which was approved by a 9-0 vote. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on housing density, traffic, parking, sewer infrastructure, and environmental concerns.

Continuances

• Florin Road Quick Quack Car Wash (P25-013): Continued to February 26, 2026.
• Workshop: Preliminary Framework for Regulating Cottages on Wheels (LR26-001): Continued to March 26, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

Over 30 speakers addressed the commission on the Alhambra project, with roughly equal numbers in support and opposition.

Opposition: Residents of Casa Loma Terrace and East Sacramento argued the project is out of scale with the surrounding one- and two-story neighborhood. Key points included:

• Height: Proposed 68-foot, six-story building exceeds the 35-foot buffer zone; opponents noted the neighborhood average is 18–30 feet.
• Density: Carl Seymour, president of the Casa Loma Terrace Neighborhood Association, cited a survey of 80 members opposing the project. He stated the project would house 395 people per acre versus the neighborhood average of 25, with 870 residents on one square block.
• Traffic: Several speakers warned of increased congestion at McKinley and Alhambra, with Maria Kelly claiming 960,000 additional vehicle trips annually. Some stated public transit is inadequate—one speaker reported a 40-minute bus commute versus a 7-minute drive.
• Sewer/flooding: Residents noted the combined sewer system still floods despite a recent vault, and the site has an unregistered underground storage tank. Dr. Will Green argued the CEQA exemption was improper without prior soil testing and remediation.
• Community outreach: Multiple residents said the developer held only one community meeting and did not engage directly with neighbors; John Frias-Morales cited a history of blight and lack of accountability by the property owner.

Support: Several organizations and individuals spoke in favor, including Tricia Stevens (East Sacramento Community Association), Kate Rogers (House Sacramento), Braulio Gonzalez (Region Business), and many younger residents. Supporters emphasized the need for housing infill near jobs (2,500 jobs within half a mile), transit (bus routes nearby), and amenities like McKinley Park. They argued the project complies with the General Plan and zoning, will attract new residents without parking spillover (322 spaces provided), and will increase walkability and local business vitality. Some noted the building’s design includes step-backs and the parking garage is placed on the freeway side to minimize neighborhood impact.

Discussion Items

• Alhambra Redevelopment Project (P24-007): Staff presented the proposal to demolish vacant warehouses and houses and construct a six-story mixed-use building with 332 dwelling units (80% studios and one-bedrooms), 2,400 square feet of ground-floor commercial, and 322 parking spaces. The project required a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to exceed the 35-foot height limit (base zone allows 65 feet), a tree permit, and a CEQA exemption under AB 130.
• Commissioner discussions: Vice Chair Kadin noted legal constraints under the Housing Accountability Act, which limits denial to cases of specific health and safety impacts. He supported the project, citing the need for housing and the building’s design sensitivity. Commissioner Ortiz raised concerns about sewer capacity (mitigated by a conditioned 18-inch upgrade) and the underground storage tank (requiring remediation before occupancy). She stated the project would replace blighted properties and provide moderate-income housing per state definitions. Commissioner Blunt expressed hope for improved transit and living wages. Commissioner Nybo seconded the motion, noting the parking ratio (322 spaces) is adequate to prevent street overflow. Commissioner Reschke made the motion to approve.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve the Alhambra Redevelopment Project passed 9-0. Commissioners Lamas, Macias Reed, Yeung, and Thompson were absent. The approval includes:
  1. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.66 (infill housing exemption), conditioned on a preliminary endangerment assessment for the underground storage tank.
  2. Conditional Use Permit to exceed the height standards of the residential preservation transition buffer zone of the Alhambra Corridor Special Planning District.
  3. Site Plan and Design Review for demolition and construction.
  4. Tree Permit for removal of seven city trees, two private protected trees, and non-standard pruning of two city trees.
• Conditions of approval require remediation of the underground storage tank to the satisfaction of Sacramento County prior to occupancy, and all sewer flow increases must be mitigated (including upsizing to an 18-inch sewer main as directed by the Department of Utilities).