Housing
According to a long-range plan (2025 Blueprint) adopted by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) – tasked by state and federal law with long-range transportation and land-use planning for the six-county region — our region needs to build approximately 278,000 new housing units by 2050 to meet projected demand. This is especially true for multi-family housing and homes that working families can afford. While SACOG’s 2025 Blueprint sets ambitious targets that require steady annual production to avoid shortfalls, our region has always struggled building enough multifamily housing products.
The Upper Westside project represents a balanced, forward-thinking vision for Sacramento’s future. It would help meet our region’s urgent housing needs, while enhancing economic opportunities. It also includes an agricultural buffer area to allow small- to mid-scale farming and addresses conservation efforts.
The plan area is bordered by existing urban development: Interstate-80 and Garden Highway. Moreover, 64% of the project boundary abuts existing development.
The Upper Westside plan area would include:
9,356 dwelling units, which will provide a wide range of housing options in which half of the units are designated as multi-family units
Approximately three million square feet of commercial and office space, which will provide services for residents and employment opportunities and allowing for the on-site capture of trips
Commercial sites will be within a half mile for more than 90% of the residents
542 acres for an agricultural buffer to discourage urban expansion to the west
Acreage set aside for schools, parks, open space, and an extensive system of greenbelts and urban farming nodes connected by multi-use trails, which will encourage pedestrian and bicycle use to downtown Sacramento
As an infill project, the Upper Westside project will reduce urban sprawl because of its proximity to downtown Sacramento and West Sacramento. Its “town center” is within 3.5 miles of downtown Sacramento, placing the project close to job centers and existing infrastructure.
This development also embodies all of SACOG’s seven (7) Smart Growth principles:
Transportation choice
Compact development
Mixed use
Housing choice and diversity
Use existing assets and infrastructure
Resource conservation, parks and open space
Quality design
This development project is the only master-planned community in Sacramento County that exceeds the criteria-based metrics in the County’s General Plan Land Use policy (scoring a perfect 24 out of 24 points).
The Upper Westside project is anticipated to be constructed in four phases over the course of approximately 20 years. Construction in Phase 1 is anticipated to begin in the southern portion of the Plan Area. It is estimated that Phase I will take approximately seven (7) years to build-out. Construction of the subsequent phases is to be determined.
The project has already been recognized for its forward-thinking design, winning a Merit Award at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference for “Best on the Boards Land Use Plan” due to its innovative configuration of land uses and circulation systems.