Op-Ed
Diverse Viewpoints from Sacramento
Zero-Sum Zoning
What is the role of city planners? Should they decide what’s best for citizens and draft Byzantine building codes and zoning regulations to enforce politically inspired mandates? Or should they learn the preferences of residents and make those preferences work?
It appears top-down influence is the order at Sacramento City Hall when it comes to upzoning, where multiple units are encouraged over single-family homes.
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
When someone asks if I am a right-wing conservative Republican or a left-wing liberal Democrat, I shudder. There’s no useful answer. In the best case, the response produces a friend who parrots your beliefs. In the worst case, you are ridiculed and dismissed.
When I learned I would be paired with a Democrat in a journalistic experiment where we swap news diets in the spirit of bipartisanship, I was nervous. I don’t like the idea of one’s life experience being boiled down to a single word. It leaves too much to the imagination. In the current political climate, imagination can be uncharitable.
Youth, Interrupted
Youth, Interrupted Pandemic makes kids grow up faster By Natalie Michaels April 2021 Before the pandemic, Yolanda Melchor was a regular at the 12th and R streets Starbucks. Since lockdown, the sophomore at The Met Sacramento abandoned what was once a...
Not So Fast
Sacramento city planners say single-family zoning must go. For now, the City Council agrees. Unfortunately, the city has failed to consider the negative impact of this proposal. There’s no fact-based justification for it.
The proposed 2040 General Plan, which takes effect next year, seeks to eliminate single-family zoning. It would allow fourplexes on any single-family lot. Under state law, two Accessory Dwelling Units (or in-law units) are already permitted. This means up to six residential units would be allowed on lots currently zoned for single-family homes.
Call to Action
The Martin Luther King, Jr., Sacramento Region Essay Contest was created to engage youth in King’s legacy, vision and leadership. Reflecting on Congressman John Lewis’ fight for civil rights through peaceful protests, youth writers were asked to (with COVID-19 health guidelines in mind) “describe an injustice that you see in today’s society and what you can do to address the issue and advancement of John Lewis’ call to action.” The contest was open to middle and high school students in Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, El Dorado and Sutter counties. Inside Sacramento is pleased to publish the top two winning essays
Under the Microscope
The low profile historically maintained by Sacramento County government has been upended and thrown into the spotlight with accusations of sexism, racism and mismanagement by top leaders.
The county’s chief executive, Nav Gill, was placed on paid administrative leave during a personnel investigation. He became a punching bag for critics who say the county mishandled federal pandemic relief funds. Accusations involving racist and sexist behavior were raised about his performance as the county’s financial watchdog. The Board of Supervisors appointed Ann Edwards as interim county executive. She formerly headed the Department of Human Assistance.
