Immediately following the SACOG Board's unanimous approval in December 2004 of the Preferred Blueprint Scenario for 2050, staff began working with local governments throughout the region to implement the goals and Blueprint principles.

The Preferred Scenario is intended to be a voluntary guide for jurisdictions to help make land-use and transportation choices over the next 50 years as the region's population grows from 2 million to more than 3.8 million people. The 50-year comprehensive land use and transportation vision was developed during three years of research and public involvement. SACOG staff and local government planners from each member jurisdiction have started to develop estimates of the amount of growth and type of development most likely to occur by 2030 to support the next comprehensive Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) update in 2006. SACOG is working with each local government to develop an individualized strategy to determine how, or if, it will pursue actions that help achieve the Blueprint principles as planning and growth decisions are made.

"We are committed to assisting local governments to achieve smarter growth in their communities," said Ted Gaines, SACOG Board Chair. "Staff has already received many requests for assistance, including for General Plan updates and individual development projects."

The Regional Planners Committee has developed a series of seminars for local planning commissioners and elected officials to be held throughout the region during 2005. The cities of Citrus Heights and West Sacramento are co-sponsoring the first seminar in collaboration with the Building Industry Association of Superior California. The March 5th seminar will focus on new housing types in the Sacramento region. For further information regarding this seminar series, contact Kacey Lizon at (916) 340-6265.

Further information regarding the seminars and other Blueprint-related projects is available on www.sacregionblueprint.org in February.