West Sacramento’s Liberty Specific Plan advances after Planning Commission vote.
The West Sacramento Planning Commission held a meeting on January 30, during which the commission members approved the Liberty Specific Plan, a 342-acre development owned by the Paik family.
The project is one of three major proposals in West Sacramento's Southport area, alongside the Yarbrough and Riverpark projects. It is located in the Northeast Village section of the Southport Framework Plan.
The Liberty Specific Plan includes the development of 1,503 housing units, consisting of 934 detached single-family homes, 209 single-family estate lots, and 360 multifamily units. Additionally, the plan designates 10,000 square feet for commercial use, 13,500 square feet for private recreation, 50 acres for parks and greenbelts, and 25 acres for public use.
During the public hearing, Planning Commission members and city staff reviewed the Liberty project's compliance with West Sacramento's General Plan, zoning code amendments, and infrastructure requirements.
The project has undergone extensive community engagement throughout 2024, resulting in several modifications to the original plan. Key changes included eliminating Silverleaf Street, reorienting lots to face Bladen Street, and increasing lot sizes to enhance buffering between new and existing residences.
Public comments during the hearing revealed a mix of support and opposition. Several residents of Redwood Avenue and Bastone Court expressed satisfaction with the modifications and praised the developers for their willingness to incorporate feedback. However, some Parella Court homeowners remained dissatisfied, arguing that while some modifications were made, not all their concerns were addressed, particularly regarding two-story homes facing their properties.
Matt Keasling, an attorney with Taylor & Wiley representing Parella Court residents, voiced frustration over what he described as inconsistent accommodations across different neighborhoods.
"I want to say congratulations to the neighbors on Redwood as well as on Bastone Court. It sounds like they have had productive conversations with the applicant," Keasling said during the meeting. "I do note that they have large lot estates behind them with single-family homes limited to a single story—not staring into their backyards—which is precisely what the neighbors on Parella Court have asked for as well. Unfortunately, while that has been accommodated elsewhere, it has not been accommodated on Parella Court."
Keasling also criticized the Environmental Impact Report, arguing that it relied on outdated flood risk assessments and called for further revisions.
Despite these objections, the Planning Commission voted to support the staff's recommendation. This decision endorses the Liberty Specific Plan, certifies the project's Environmental Impact Report, and approves the related zoning amendments along with the Development Agreement. With this vote, the project now moves to the West Sacramento City Council for final review and decision-making.
The City Council will evaluate the Planning Commission's recommendations, consider additional public input, and ultimately determine whether to approve, modify, or reject the Liberty Specific Plan. If approved, the project will proceed with implementation, including finalizing zoning amendments, executing the Development Agreement, and initiating infrastructure development.
