In a move to put plans for more pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods on the fast track, West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said a "strike team" will redesign the city's development standards.
The one-size-fits-all approach for parking lots and other developments will be a thing of the past, he said.
The announcement came Tuesday night before 300 guests at the mayor's annual State of the City address. The bulk of Cabaldon's speech focused on the city's growth as it marks its 20th anniversary.
"Launching big, ambitious projects and getting them done in two years is no longer big news, it's expected of West Sacramento," Cabaldon told the audience.
He listed the city's recent accomplishments, such as approval of a biodiesel plant at the Port of Sacramento, initiation of plans for a streetcar system to link to downtown Sacramento and a $400 million levee improvement plan.
However, Cabaldon said, "the biggest news story on West Sacramento" was about "the two whales who heard about West Sacramento and wanted to check it out for themselves."
The wayward humpbacks, Delta and Dawn, drew global attention to a city on the verge of a renaissance, he said.
West Sacramento has developed the most within the past 10 years, Cabaldon said.
Achievements include commercial developments, such as the new Ikea and Target stores, and more city control of the Port of Sacramento to help save it from bankruptcy.
Cargo volume is up at the port and the city is moving ahead with plans to deepen the Deep Water Ship Channel and provide public trails and public access to the port, Cabaldon said.
On the horizon for West Capitol Avenue is a new transit center, a Los Rios Community College District satellite campus, a community center, library and upscale housing.
The mayor pledged his commitment Tuesday to help the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce in its Project Pride initiative to further enhance West Capitol Avenue and the city's image. The proposed strike team is a step toward that goal, he said.
The strike team would revise city development standards "to help us make sure that what we're building is what we want on our riverfront and downtown," Cabaldon said.
The team would consist of an independent adviser, city staff, two members of the City Council and members of the development community. The team's work would be done in less than a year, Cabaldon said.
By Lakiesha McGhee - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 1:38 am PDT Thursday, May 24, 2007Story appeared in METRO section, Page B3
