The saga continues, but sometimes the speaking out is more representative of a very small minority of people than the majority, who are usually perfectly happy to stay away from meetings that have little to do with their busy and contented lives.
Editorial: Greenbriar prompts Natomas residents to vent
Published 12:00 am PDT Saturday, September 22, 2007
Meetings of the Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission rarely produce many riveting moments. Yet several Natomas residents sent a jolt through Wednesday's session by speaking out about the future of their community.
The ostensible item on the agenda was Greenbriar, a 557-acre parcel in north Natomas that developers want the city to annex. On a 4-3 vote, the commission Wednesday agreed to add the land to Sacramento's sphere of influence, the first step toward eventual annexation.
While that outcome wasn't unexpected, several commissioners were surprised by the frustrations expressed by Natomas dwellers. One by one, these residents took the podium and vented about police patrols, flood protection, parks and quality of life. "Even the barest minimum of services we've been promised have not been delivered," said one Natomas resident, Holly Brickner.
City and county officials need to take these concerns to heart as they consider proposals to extend Natomas' urban boundary. Although city officials say projects like Greenbriar will provide funding to close a $70 million financing gap for services, many residents are suspicious of these claims. On Wednesday, they sent a clear message to elected leaders: Before new growth is approved in Natomas, they want some clear signs the city and county will
