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River District Specific Plan

River District Specific Plan Frequently Asked Questions

River District Specific Plan

River District Specific Plan Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Specific Plan?

A specific plan is a regulatory document that provides detailed, area-specific guidance for how a neighborhood or group of neighborhoods should grow and develop over time. Specific plans describe a vision for the future—typically looking ahead 10 to 20 years—and must be consistent with a jurisdiction’s general plan. However, because they focus on a much smaller area, specific plans can include more detailed (or “specific”) policies, maps, and regulations.

In California, and in the city of Sacramento, specific plans are required to include:

An explanation of how the specific plan relates to the City’s general plan;
Maps and diagrams showing preferred land uses and the infrastructure needed to support them;
Policies for both building development and the protection of open space and other natural resources; and
A combination of regulations, programs, public projects, and financing measures to help achieve the vision for the area.

A specific plan should capture the shared vision of the community and provide a clear framework for public and private decisions about development, including infrastructure, parks, and public areas. It helps guide investment and ensures that future growth supports the community’s goals.

For more information about required components of a specific plan, please visit Section 17.904.010 of the City of Sacramento Planning and Development Code.

How will the River District handle the additional traffic anticipated with new development?

As new development comes to the River District and neighboring areas like the Railyards, traffic is projected to increase in the coming years. To prepare, the City is assessing transportation and circulation needs across the area and working to align them with broader citywide and regional transportation goals.

This planning process will help identify where improvements are needed and how to take advantage of ongoing infrastructure improvements. Updating the River District Finance Plan will also help realign circulation needs with available funding strategies.

In addition, with the adoption of the 2040 General Plan in February 2024, the City committed to prioritizing walking, biking, and public transit over car travel. This means the Specific Plan will look for ways to support safer and more convenient travel options for people of all ages and abilities—whether they’re walking, biking, using transit, or driving. These multimodal strategies will also be key to accommodating more people in the River District and ensuring it becomes more accessible, connected, and vibrant.

How will necessary infrastructure improvements be paid for?

As part of the Specific Plan Update, the City will also update the River District Finance Plan, which will reevaluate how infrastructure improvements such as new streets, utilities, parks, and public space can be funded.

How does the River District Specific Plan Update address the needs of unhoused populations within the District?

Homelessness in the River District is a critical issue—one that deeply affects the lives of unhoused individuals and also impacts local businesses, service providers, and development efforts. While homelessness is highly visible in the River District, it reflects broader citywide and regional conditions that require long-term, collaborative, compassionate, and efficient solutions.

The Specific Plan alone cannot fully address the systemic and humanitarian dimensions of homelessness. However, it can acknowledge the realities on the ground, influence how public spaces are designed, designate land to accommodate housing and supportive uses, and provide a vision for an inclusive and thriving River District.

Several efforts are already underway. The City’s Department of Community Response (DCR) leads engagement and services coordination for unhoused residents. The River District Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) also works directly with unhoused individuals to connect them with available resources. In 2023, the City joined All In Sacramento a regional call to prevent and end homelessness, which was built on the foundation of the 2022 Local Homeless Action Plan (LHAP). This collaborative framework brings together system leaders, government agencies, and service providers to better coordinate and expand efforts across the region.

The River District Specific Plan Update will align these citywide and regional efforts where appropriate and ensure that the Plan does not create barriers to services or shelter. As part of the planning process, the project team is committed to hearing from people with lived experience of homelessness—recognizing their insight and expertise in navigating urban spaces. Their perspectives are essential in shaping a plan that reflects the needs of all who live and move through the River District.

Will the Specific Plan update address the need for improving/creating more schools in the area?

Public schools are managed by school districts, which operate independently of the City of Sacramento. The River District is primarily served by the Twin Rivers Unified School District, with a smaller portion falling under the Sacramento City Unified School District.

While the City does not control school planning or operations, the school districts have been invited to participate in the Specific Plan Update process. They will be informed of any land use changes or projected increases in housing or populations that could affect school demand.

What is happening with the Green Line?

The Green Line is a light rail route operated by Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT), which currently runs from downtown Sacramento to the 7th and Richards station in the River District. The long-term vision is to extend the Green Line service north through Natomas and eventually to Sacramento International Airport.

While this extension remains a long-term goal, key steps are underway to support future implementation. On February 18, 2025, City Council adopted a resolution accepting the Truxel Road Bridge Concept and Feasibility Study Report. The report identifies a preferred alternative—Alternative 3B—which includes space for future light rail tracks as part of the bridge design, shown in the concept cross-section diagram. This decision directs staff to begin identifying and recommending actions that move the Green Line extension closer to reality. In the meantime, City policies allow staff to explore the feasibility of bus rapid transit alternatives along corridors, which can offer high-quality transit service with lower costs and faster implementation.

A concept cross-section diagram imagining future light rail tracks as part of the Truxel Bridge. A street split into 4 distinct sections; roads for vehicular traffic, light rail, biking, and pedestrians.

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City policies allow staff to explore the feasibility of bus rapid transit alternatives along corridors, which can offer high-quality transit service with lower costs and faster implementation

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