One of the most challenging and controversial issues that we have coming before the Board of Supervisors in the next few months is the Housing Element Sites Rezone program. I want to thank the many who have attended meetings, sent in their comments, and become involved in this issue.  As we have shared, the State is requiring the County to rezone properties within the unincorporated areas to accommodate more affordable housing.  This approach by the State has become much more stringent.  Several municipalities and Counties have even ended up in litigation with the State or have lost local control over their land-use decisions.  It is important to understand that this rezoning in and of itself does not actually build new units. In-fact, actual project proposals may be years away, if ever.  Nonetheless, the rezoning process is a first step towards that possibility and we must be very thoughtful and reasoned in where affordable housing fits within the County’s existing communities.  

I agree with many residents and business owners who worry that the proposed sites disproportionately impact North Auburn and that certain sites should not be considered due to their remoteness and lack of services, and should be removed from further consideration.  I’ve spent the last few weeks meeting with residents and taking tours of these areas. Earlier this week I attended the Christian Valley Community Service District’s monthly board meeting and heard from 30+ community members about the drawbacks of one particular property. As your representative it is my responsibility to push for a fair distribution of these sites, but also seek other solutions to assure the County has alternatives to propose.  To that end I have pushed staff to reduce the “buffer” down to the minimum number of units the State requires, review additional properties (including all County-owned sites), and also develop programs such as incentives for accessory dwelling units that could be deed-restricted to help us achieve the mandates now and into the future.  I also support finding smaller infill sites so that the size and scale is more in line with our existing communities.    

I believe that the County should consider requiring that sites for this new zoning be consistent with changes in growth and development in that particular community and the existing population numbers; have proximity to services, jobs, and transit; and be sized to fit the existing community character.

These are difficult and challenging processes.  We don’t want to give up land-use authority to the State so we must find alternatives that will meet their requirements.

The updated agenda and staff report will be available prior to the hearing on the Board of Supervisors Agenda Webpage. You can view the staff report from November's Board of Supervisors meeting here. 

And attend the upcoming workshop on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. located at the Community Development Resource Agency; 3091 County Center Drive in North Auburn. 

In service,
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson

Meetings/Events:

• 32 internal meetings
• 53 external meetings
• 7 board meetings
• 5 mac meetings
• 12 events

Casework: 47 constituent cases

The Placer County Board of Supervisors will host a community workshop on the proposed Housing Element Sites Rezone project at 2 p.m. on Feb. 13 at the Community Development Resource Agency building, 3091 County Center Drive in North Auburn. The workshop has been moved up to Feb. 13 from a preliminarily discussed Feb. 20 date to allow the public more time to provide input and to allow staff time to make any potential adjustments, while also meeting the state-imposed program deadlines. The workshop was previously added to the board’s calendar due to public interest at a Nov. 27 public hearing on the rezone program. 
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On January 26 the Placer County District Attorney’s Office and the Placer County Sheriff’s Office joined the community in Auburn for the Department of State Hospitals’ Sexually Violent Predator Housing meeting.  At the meeting, Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo and District Attorney Morgan Gire expressed their frustration with the lack of communication and collaboration with the housing committee leading into these meetings. They emphasized the need for appropriate time to evaluate the proposed location by law enforcement and community partners to ensure decisions are being made in the best interest of local residents. While the District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office oppose the release of William Stephenson, they will continue to fulfill their obligations of participating in the Housing Committee process as required by state law. 

The next hearing will be another status conference on Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. in Department 32.  To ensure you are receiving updates leading into this hearing, please sign up for our case portal Here.

The state shared that residents can contact them directly at OfficeofCommunications@DSH.ca.gov or call 916-654-2419. 

The Placer County District Attorney’s Office announced a countywide campaign with local law enforcement and chambers of commerce to promote their new retail theft vertical prosecution program and ongoing law enforcement efforts countywide, while continuing the conversations with local businesses on retail theft. The campaign is a sign for businesses to put in their windows that states “This business is protected by Placer County’s retail theft initiative”. The sign also has a QR code that leads to the county’s new retail theft initiative information page. “Placer County is known as a problem solver on key issues affecting our state,” said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire. “Our county’s collaborative and innovative approach to statewide problems, coupled with our ability to address those problems proactively, makes Placer County a leader in addressing challenges affecting our quality of life. This retail theft initiative shows that we are united and dedicated to fighting retail theft in our region.” LEARN MORE

Exciting changes are coming to Placer County as we head into 2024! Our Elections Office has recently adopted the California Voter’s Choice Act election model to provide our eligible voters with more choice and control over their vote. Rather than assigned polling places, the VCA model employs regional vote centers that are open for four or 11 days, and available to all eligible Placer County voters for in-person voting. Additionally, new legislation now permits voters to bring their vote-by-mail ballot to any vote center and use the ballot scanner to have it counted on-site, ensuring it will be included in the preliminary results released on election night. LEARN MORE

Following an earlier agreement with Palisades Tahoe, Placer County announced a contract to expand parking enforcement to a second ski resort in North Lake Tahoe. The agreement, approved at the Board of Supervisors meeting, authorizes the Placer County Department of Public Works to contract with Trimont Land Company, operator of Northstar California Resort, to provide back-up enforcement for the resort’s winter parking reservation program. “This is another message to the community that the county is working with our partners to address challenges on our roadways,” said Placer County Deputy Director of Public Works Rebecca Taber. “We know there’s much more work to do, but we’re looking forward to working with Northstar to help their program be successful in alleviating traffic congestion.” LEARN MORE

Earlier this month, our Roads Division received a report of a weather-related rockslide on Old Foresthill Road near Mammoth Bar. A number of large boulders blocked the road, too big for county equipment to handle. Thank you to our Roads Division team for quickly hiring a contractor to blast the rocks into smaller pieces, which allowed them to clear and repair the road for a safe reopening in just a few days time. WATCH VIDEO

Maximize your refund with free tax help this year! Placer County Health and Human Services is providing free tax assistance to eligible individuals and families, in cooperation with the IRS and United Way, through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. VITA helps wage earners with the highest need receive up to $8,000 in earned income tax credit, a refundable federal and state income tax credit for low-to moderate-income working individuals and families. Anyone earning income up to $65,000 in 2023 is eligible for this free program. LEARN MORE 

Placer County Public Health is offering additional free sessions of the Virtual Dementia Tour, a unique and immersive experience designed for family members, organizations and healthcare professionals seeking to better understand the physical and mental challenges of their loved ones or patients. The Virtual Dementia Tour, a flagship program of Public Health’s Healthy Brain Initiative, allows caregivers and family members to step into the shoes of those affected by dementia. Participants are outfitted with sensory devices that alter their senses while trying to complete everyday tasks and exercises. This experiential learning journey aims to enhance empathy, foster better communication and equip caregivers with practical insights into the daily challenges faced by individuals living with dementia. LEARN MORE

The Placer County Fish and Game Commission awarded four local organizations $1,000 in grants each to support their efforts in protecting, improving and preserving local fish and wildlife and outdoor education in the Placer County area. The awards were announced at the Fish and Game Commission’s meeting earlier this month. “Placer County has tremendous wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities that help make living here so fantastic,” said Alexia Retallack, Placer Fish and Game Commission chair and District 5 representative. “These organizations help ensure that our outdoor resources continue to thrive and to be available to everyone, today and in the future.” LEARN MORE

The Auburn Chamber of Commerce’s hosted it's 119th annual Installation and Awards Dinner on Friday, January 26 at The Ridge Golf Course in Auburn. 

2024 Award Winners: 
Volunteer of the Year: Edward Jones
Lifetime Achievement: Robert J. Litchfield, Jr. 
Rising Star: Amy Yacullo
Best Non-Profit: Assistance League of Greater Placer
Best Local Event: Auburn Recreation District's Food Truck Fiesta
New Entrepreneur: Tyler & Tyler from The Station Public House
Jeanette Klebofski Ambassador of the Year Award: Michael Oakes
Chamber Award: Alonda Riely
President's Award: Lisa Henderson

Congratulations to all for your hard work, dedication and service to our community. Learn more and keep in touch with the Auburn Chamber Here. 

For the 22nd year in a row, the Placer County Auditor Controller’s Office has been recognized with the Certificate of Achievement Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting—the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and reporting. The department has received this honor each year since 2001. “Needless to say, I’m very proud of this accomplishment,” said Andrew Sisk, Placer County Auditor-Controller. “Especially since I’ve been intimately involved in all 22 years of the county receiving this award. It is a significant effort to put together these financial statements, and I’m pleased to see that our work was recognized once again.” READ MORE

The Placer County Library invites you to “get cozy” this winter and expand your reading horizons through the Winter Book Bingo 2024 challenge for adults. Readers age 17 and older can join  online at http://placer.beanstack.org or pick up a Bingo card at your nearest library location. The initiative encourages readers to try a new genre or reading format, discover new interests and share reviews. Each Bingo tile has a different reading challenge to encourage participants to try something out of their reading comfort zone. LEARN MORE