One of the Nation's Fastest Growing Cities Wants to Gobble Up 8,000 More Acres

After waiting more than five years, Elk Grove, one of the fastest growing cities in California and the country, will soon learn whether it can expand its planning area by another 8,000 acres to accommodate more residents.

1 minute read

October 13, 2013, 1:00 PM PDT

By tanhoang


low scale mercantile buildings along central street in old town Elk Grove, CA

EG-Richard / Wikimedia Commons

Within the last twelve years, Elk Grove's population has more than doubled to over 159,000 residents, and the city has spent the last five years waiting to be able to plan for even more residents in the future. Seeking to expand its sphere of influence (SOI) boundaries (or planning area) by 8,000 acres, Elk Grove wants to accommodate more residents, more businesses and maintain more open space within its city limits.

Before it can do that, the Sacramento County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) needs to approve the SOI plan and associated environmental documents. Some environmentalists object that the expansion may impact the nearby 45,000-acre Cosumnes River Preserve to the south and reduce available land for the proposed South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan, which is intended to protect local environmentally sensitive areas.

Though even if approved, the City would still need to comply with environmental review requirements with any land annexation plans, including separate petitions to LAFCO.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013 in Sacramento Bee

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

1 hour ago - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

2 hours ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

3 hours ago - CNU Public Square

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.