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City Invites Public Comment on Sphere of Influence Environmental Reports

FOLSOM - The City of Folsom will develop a joint Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the South of Highway 50 Specific Plan project. Residents and other interested individuals may learn more about the project at a Notice of Preparation (NOP) public scoping meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 in the Folsom Public Library meeting room.

The purpose of the NOP is to provide information about the proposed project and its potential environmental impacts and allow interested parties the opportunity to comment relating to the scope and content of the EIR/EIS.

Folsom's Sphere of Influence (SOI) consists of approximately 3,500 acres bordered by Highway 50, Prairie City Road, White Rock Road and the El Dorado County line. The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) designated this land as part of the City's SOI in 2001.

In 2004, residents approved Measure W, a ballot initiative that established clear requirements for SOI development. The measure requires that 30 percent of the land be maintained as natural open space and ensures that future residents of the annexed area pay the full cost for water, schools and roadways. It also requires that the City secure a new water supply for the SOI at no cost to current Folsom residents.

Also in 2004, local residents participated in a series of visioning meetings to provide input to staff developing the initial SOI land use plan. The City Council adopted a conceptual land-use plan based on those recommendations. Since that time, City staff and the SOI's private landowners have worked to refine the land use and infrastructure phasing plans.