Title
Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan Fee - Extension of Interim Authorization [Four-Fifths Vote Required] [Published 06/05/2026; 06/12/2026]
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FileID
File ID: 2026-01087
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Location
Location: Natomas Basin, District 1 and District 3
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion, adopt a Resolution by a four-fifths vote extending the interim authorization established by Resolution No. 2026-0130 for the adjusted Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan fee (HCP fee) for an additional 30 days, pursuant to Government Code section 66017, subdivision (b).
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Contact
Contact: Cheryle Hodge, Principal Planner, (916) 808-5971, chodge@cityofsacramento.org; Matthew Aijala, Associate Planner, (916) 808-7176, maijala@cityofsacramento.org; Community Development Department
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Presenter
Presenter: Matthew Aijala, Associate Planner, (916) 808-7176, maijala@cityofsacramento.org, Community Development Department
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Attachments
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution Extending the Interim Authorization for the Adjusted Habitat Conservation Fee
3- Resolution No. 2026-0130
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Description/Analysis
Issue Detail
On May 19, 2026, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-0130 which: 1) adopted the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan Fee Update - 2026 (Nexus Study); 2) adjusted the HCP fee; and 3) made findings pursuant to Government Code section 66017, subdivision (b), for the adjusted HCP fee to take effect immediately upon adoption. That interim authorization is effective for no more than 30 days. Adoption of the attached resolution will extend the interim authorization an additional 30 days, bridging the period until the adjusted HCP fee takes permanent effect 60 days from the date of initial adoption, pursuant to Government Code Section 66017, subdivision (b).
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: Pursuant to Government Code Section 66019, subdivision (b), development fee adjustments are effective no sooner than 60 days following final action on adoption, unless the City Council follows the procedures set forth in Government Code section 66017, subdivision (b). On May 19, 2026, the City Council made findings describing the current and immediate threat to the public health, welfare, and safety, and adopted the adjusted HCP fee by a four-fifths vote pursuant to Government Code section 66017, subdivision (b), authorizing immediate effectiveness. That interim authorization is effective for no more than 30 days. Government Code section 66017, subdivision (b), provides that, after notice and public hearing, the City Council may extend the interim authorization for an additional 30 days by a four-fifths vote. Not more than two extensions may be granted. This extension will maintain the adjusted HCP fee in effect until it takes permanent effect 60 days after the adoption of Resolution No. 2026-0130 (July 18, 2026). Staff will not need to return for a second extension.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): The City Council’s action in approving this resolution is solely for the purpose of maintaining an adequate HCP fee to be used to implement the NBHCP and is therefore not a project for the purpose of the CEQA pursuant to Guidelines section 15378(b)(4).
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Sustainability
Sustainability: Continued collection of the adjusted HCP fee is consistent with and supportive of the sustainable practice of preservation of prime farmland and critical habitat resources.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: The Natomas Basin Conservancy’s board of directors reviewed the proposed HCP fees on April 1, 2026, and adopted a resolution recommending an increase be made to the HCP fee. The underlying fee adjustment was adopted by the City Council on May 19, 2026.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: The findings adopted by the City Council on May 19, 2026, pursuant to Government Code section 66017, subdivision (b), supporting the interim authorization continue to exist. The grading season remains active, and allowing the interim authorization to lapse would create a 30-day window in which developers would pay the prior HCP fee rate, which does not reflect the actual costs of implementing the NBHCP. Underfunding the NBHCP jeopardizes the City’s compliance with its federal and state incidental take permits and the associated implementation agreement, which could result in the suspension of those permits. Extension of the interim authorization is necessary to maintain the adjusted HCP fee in effect until it takes permanent effect on its own terms pursuant to Government Code Section 66019, subdivision (b).
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: There is no obligation of the general fund associated with this action. If the resolution is not adopted, a 30-day window would exist where developers would pay the HCP fee in effect before the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-0130, resulting in a shortfall in HCP fee revenue needed to implement the NBHCP.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise: Not applicable.
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Background
Background: On May 19, 2026, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-0130 which:
1. Adopted the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan Fee Update - 2026 (Nexus Study) prepared by Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
2. Adjusted the HCP fee from $47,031 to $47,567 per gross acre of development (without land dedication), and from $33,281 to $33,817 per gross acre (with land dedication); and
3. Made findings pursuant to Government Code Section 66017, subdivision (b), and authorized the adjusted HCP fee to take effect immediately upon adoption by a four-fifths vote.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 66017, subdivision (b), the interim authorization has no force or effect 30 days after adoption. The statute provides that, after notice and public hearing, the City Council may extend the interim authorization for an additional 30 days. Not more than two extensions may be granted. Any extension also requires a four-fifths vote.
Resolution No 2026-0130 will take permanent effect 60 days from its adoption date (July 18, 2026), pursuant to Government Code Section 66019, subdivision (b). This extension bridges the remaining 30 days until that permanent effective date, ensuring continuous application of the adjusted HCP fee with no gap in coverage.
Notice of this public hearing was provided in accordance with Government Code sections 66017 - 66019.
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