Developing spheres of influence often works to the larger benefit as closer-to-the- land type of management is often more prone to include the public good in its planning strategy, than that from farther away.
An excerpt.
Galt to explore north acreage for expansion
By Sandy Louey -- Bee Staff WriterPublished 12:01 am PDT Sunday, August 20, 2006
Galt could grow as far north as Arno Road someday if city officials decide to expand its sphere of influence by another 4,200 acres.
That's because the Galt City Council voted to study including the acreage in the city's sphere of influence as part of its general plan update. This would bring the city's total area to 13,200 acres.
The sphere of influence is an area designated as suitable for the city's eventual annexation.
Galt's current sphere encompasses 9,000 acres with Twin Cities Road as its northern boundary.
The northern boundary of the study area runs along Laguna Creek, Highway 99, Arno and McKenzie roads and Skunk Creek. The remaining boundaries for the general plan study area are Christensen Road on the west, Cherokee Road to the east and Dry Creek to the south.
The study area that the council approved Tuesday night includes the site of a proposed 2,500-house Del Webb senior community.
The project has drawn opposition because of its intrusion into wildlife habitat and its proximity to Galt's inadequate wastewater treatment plant -- issues that many speakers brought up Tuesday night.
The vote on the study area boundary was 3-2, with council members Darryl Clare, Barbara Payne, and Randy Shelton voting in favor and members Thomas Malson and Tim Raboy dissenting.
Payne and Shelton said Galt needs to expand its sphere of influence to have a say in and to enable the city to expand into the area north of Twin Cities.
"We need the buffer," Shelton said. "We need the tax base."
Such expansion will help protect Galt from encroachment from other jurisdictions such as Sacramento County and Elk Grove, the council members said. Payne and Shelton cited the proposed merger between the Elk Grove Community Services District and the Galt Fire Protection District as an example of Elk Grove's encroachment south.
The city of Galt began updating its general plan three years ago. The plan will serve as the blueprint for development for Galt through 2020.
Galt's population is projected to grow from 22,257 to 34,392 from 2005 to 2025, according to the Sacramento County Area Council of Governments.
It will probably be at least a year before the council will vote on a draft general plan update, since an environmental impact report still needs to be conducted, said Jim Harnish, a principal with Mintier & Associates, which is overseeing the general plan update process for Galt.
A crowd of more than 75 people packed into the council chambers and overflowed out in the lobby for Tuesday's meeting, which lasted more than four hours.
Keith Wagner, president of the Sacramento Audubon Society, told the council there is no need for Galt to expand its sphere of influence, especially into areas with environmentally sensitive habitats.
"You've got enough in your existing sphere of influence," he said.
