Preservation Commission 5/15/2024

The City of Sacramento Preservation Commission meeting on May 15, 2024, included a presentation on the draft Sacramento Urban Forest Plan, which was open for public review through June 21. The plan sets a goal of increasing citywide tree canopy from 19% to 35% by 2045 and recommends treating trees as critical infrastructure, prioritizing planting in heat-vulnerable areas, protecting existing trees, and increasing funding, staffing, and maintenance capacity. Staff reported receiving $2 million in grant funding—$1 million each from the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. EPA—for tree planting and community resilience. No contracts, vendor selections, or procurement approvals were identified.

Commissioners raised preservation-related questions about historic buildings, heritage and culturally significant trees, climate-resilient species, and planting priorities in Old Sacramento. Staff said it would consider feedback on historic resources and the Old Sacramento district during the review process; the presenter also welcomed outreach to Native American communities. The commission approved the consent-calendar minutes by motion and vote. In the director’s report, staff noted that the African-American Experience Historic Context and Survey Project received a 2024 California Preservation Foundation design award and announced a public meeting and historic-district bike tour.