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By Eric Johnson
Published May 20, 2024

Construction of multifamily housing developments is set to skyrocket in the next half decade. Construction of multifamily housing developments is set to skyrocket in the next half decade. Image credit: Sundry Photography, Shutterstock

Here Comes the California Housing Boom

For California Local members who are tired of the state's endless housing crisis, this week's edition of The Newsletter brings good news. And as always there's somethiing for everyone who would like to know what's up in their own neighborhood just below, in our carefully curated News Digest. And yes: A featured local nonprofit, and a recipe!


What You Should Know About the State's Ambitious Housing Plans, and How to Get Involved

Here at California Local we see what’s coming out of most of the newsrooms in ten Northern California counties and select important stories to include in our News Digest (see below). In doing so over the past couple of months, our friend and colleague Chris Neklason noticed two phrases appearing everywhere, as cities and counties raced to complete the “housing element” of their “general plans.” 

We understand that not all of you are familiar with those two terms, and may not yet be aware that California is already experiencing the start of a housing boom. Folks in Santa Cruz, where Chris lives, are well aware of this fact, as downtown is in the midst of a dramatic transformation, and the same thing is happening here in Midtown Sacramento. In these two articles, Chris explains how this works, and how you can help shape the way it will all play out on the ground.


The Coming California Housing Boom

New six-story apartment buildings in downtown Santa Cruz loom large over a funky one and two-story plaza one block away which is home to Redwood Records, The Bagelry (est 1977) and the world renowned Kuumbwa Jazz Center.
Suddenly, a lot of housing is being built across the state.

How California Manages Housing as a Public Resource

207 units of market rate housing in Santa Cruz almost ready for occupancy in May 2024
Like the 33 million acres of forest in California, the nearly 15 million units of housing in the state are tended and managed with future generations in mind. Meet the California Department of Housing and Community Development.


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El Dorado County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://eldorado.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and El Dorado County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Spring! cookbook.


Savory cherry sauce perfect for grilling season

Savory cherry sauce with sweet onions makes a wonderful accompaniment to grilled pork.
New! Savory cherry sauce with sweet onions goes great with pork, chicken


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Get to Know a Group

Golden Empire Council logo Golden Empire Council

The Golden Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America pursues the mission of this national organization to “instill values in young people and prepare them to make ethical choices during their lifetimes, to take leadership roles as adults, and to reach their full potential.”

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From Our Media Allies

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Tahoe Daily Tribune logo California State Parks Foundation Calls on the Legislature to Restore Library Parks Pass Funding

California State Parks Foundation responded to Governor Newsom's revised 2024-2025 budget and raised concern about the elimination of funding for a popular state park access program, the California State Library Parks Pass.

Folsom Times logo Barbara Leary Announces Run for Folsom City Council Dist. 4

Longtime public servant and dedicated community advocate, Barbara Leary, has officially announced her candidacy for Folsom City Council, representing District 4.

Folsom Times logo EDH Fire Premieres “Kyle’s Story” to Raise Helmet Safety Awareness

The El Dorado Hills Fire Department has released the premiere of "Kyle’s Story," a compelling documentary that explores the serious consequences of not wearing a helmet through the personal journey of a local teenager Kyle Benton.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo City to Prepare Report on Newly Certified Vacancy Tax Measure

The South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously voted in favor of preparing an informational report on the impacts of the vacancy tax measure hitting ballots in November.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Is the Death Rate of Tahoe Trees Getting Better or Worse?

Earlier this year, the USDA/USFS Aerial Detection Monitoring sector released the R5 ADS Final Report (aka the 2023 Aerial Detection Survey Results for Region 5) highlighting the tree mortality rate in California.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo City of South Lake Tahoe Seeks Input on the Lake Tahoe Airport Master Plan

The City is seeking input from the community on updating the Lake Tahoe Airport 20-Year Master Plan.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Mechanical Forest Thinning Project to Begin Near South Lake Tahoe

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is scheduled to begin mechanical forest thinning this week on approximately 75 acres located in two locations, one near High Meadows Trail and one near Cascade Properties in South Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Protect Your Home – Sign Up for a Defensible Space Inspection, Chipping Services

Summer is here and the snow is melting. Prepare for wildfire season and sign up for defensible space evaluations and curbside chipping services. For more information on these services and to register online, visit www.nltfpd.org.

Folsom Times logo $1.2M in ARPA Funds Approved for HVAC System at Folsom Senior Center

In its May 14 meeting, the Folsom City Council approved allocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the County of Sacramento for the replacement and upgrade of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at the Folsom Community Center …

Folsom Times logo City of Folsom Greenlights $451K Roundabout Feasibility Study

Following the May 14 Folsom City Council meeting, a roundabout policy and feasibility study will soon be underway for the City of Folsom that will cost more than $451K to perform, but will be paid for through grant funding.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo South Lake Tahoe Provides Loan to Developer for Affordable Housing Project

City Council passed a motion on May 7, providing a predevelopment loan to a developer for an affordable housing project, plans of which rely on changes to area developmental standards currently caught up in litigation.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Homewood Mountain Resort Submits Revised Master Plan to Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency received a revised Master Plan from Homewood Mountain Resort, marking a significant step forward in the resort's redevelopment plans.

Tahoe Guide logo How to Use This Guide

The Tahoe Wildfire Preparedness Guide is available in digital format for free at YourTahoeGuide.com/fire. You can download it, fill out the checklists, and post the resources section on your refrigerator.

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Recent Local News

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• El Dorado County Supervisors Approve Annexation of Meeks Bay

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the annexation of the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District into the North Tahoe Fire Protection District.

(05/16/2024) → South Tahoe Now

• FFA Launches at Golden Sierra High School

The new Future Farmers of America program at Golden Sierra High School will offer classes in animal husbandry and horticulture.

(05/16/2024) → Georgetown Gazette

• El Dorado County Seeks Updated Vacation Rental Home Ordinance

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors heard from a 13 member citizen advisory group and other residents about updates to the vacation rental home ordinance.

(05/14/2024) → South Tahoe Now

• Volunteers Gather Water Quality Data

On May 11, 100 volunteers sampled water from 34 streams, ponds and lakes to gather water quality data for the Truckee River watershed and Lake Tahoe as part of the 24th annual Snapshot Day.

(05/14/2024) → South Tahoe Now
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Recent Statewide News

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• Why UC Grad Students Are Going Out on Strike

The job action starting today at UC Santa Cruz isn’t about pay, but instead is in response to how UC deployed police to clear pro-Palestinian encampments on campuses.

(05/19/2024) → CalMatters

• These California Schools Connect Kids to Community Services. Will They Survive Budget Cuts?

Gov. Gavin Newsom launched the community school initiative with $4.1 billion in grants to connect students and their families to medical care, counseling and other services.

(05/16/2024) → CalMatters

• Should California Doctors Report Domestic Abuse to Police? Here’s How Physician Lawmakers Voted

Pending legislation would lift requirements for California’s doctors to report all domestic abuse cases to police. The Assembly’s three physicians had different opinions.

(05/16/2024) → CalMatters

• California’s Lagging Economy Hinders Efforts to Close State Budget Deficit

As Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators spend the next few weeks fashioning a state budget that’s plagued by a multibillion-dollar deficit, they can’t count on a booming economy to make their task easier.

(05/16/2024) → CalMatters

• California’s Staggering Budget Deficit Squashes Hundreds of Bills

The state’s multibillion-dollar shortfall shapes which spending bills survived the ‘suspense file’ hearings by the Assembly and Senate appropriations committees.

(05/16/2024) → CalMatters

• $20 Billion: The Delta Tunnel’s New Price Tag

The centerpiece of California’s water wars pits Gov. Newsom against local communities and environmentalists. A new report says the benefits of the tunnel exceed the cost since other water supplies would cost more.

(05/16/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (05/17/2024)

Reser's Fine Foods Announces Voluntary Recall of Single Batch of Aldi Macaroni 32 oz Salad with Use By Date of Jun/03/24 Due to Unlabeled Wheat Allergen

Reser's Fine Foods is voluntarily recalling a single item with a specific use by date, produced at a regional facility and distributed to ALDI. The product is the Aldi Deli Macaroni Salad 32 oz, with a Use By Date of Jun/03/24 due to an incorrect label. The incorrect label does not include an all
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/17/2024)

United Supermarkets Advises Guests in New Mexico and Texas of Palmer Candy's Voluntary Recall of White Coated Confectionary Items Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

United Supermarkets is advising guests about a recall by its supplier Palmer Candy of its white coated confectionary items due to possible Salmonella contamination. Palmer Candy was notified by its liquid coating supplier that there was a potential for contamination with Salmonella from an ingredie
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/17/2024)

Irvington Seafood Recalls "Crabmeat: Jumbo, Lump, Finger, and Claw Meat" Because of Possible Health Risk

Irvington Seafood of Irvington, AL, is recalling its 1 lb. packages of "Crabmeat: Jumbo, Lump, Finger, and Claw meat" because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/16/2024)

Mars Petcare US, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls 315 Bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 44 lb. Bag Size

Mars Petcare US is voluntarily recalling 315 bags of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food in the 44 lb. bag size only, due to the potential presence of loose metal pieces in the bag. The affected products have a Best By Date of March 4, 2025 and Lot Code 4
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/16/2024)

Update to Palmer Candy Company Recall of White Confectionary Products Because of Possible Health Risk

The recalled confectionary items were distributed nationwide in Walmart, HyVee, Target, Dollar General, and to distributors in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wy
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/16/2024)

Sun Noodle Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in S&S Frozen Cup Saimin

Sun Noodle is recalling approximately 37,158 cases of S&S CUP SAIMIN manufactured from May 9, 2023 - May 8, 2024, because they may contain undeclared egg white powder. Any product produced prior to May 9th, 2023 should have already been discarded due to expiration dates. People who have an allergy o
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Healthwest Minerals Inc. DBA Mt Capra Products Recalls Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit and Warns Consumers Against the Use of Product as Infant Formula

Healthwest Minerals, Inc. d/b/a Mt. Capra Products of Chehalis, Washington, is recalling 1,506 boxes of Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit on the recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and advises consumers to immediately discontinue use of the product as infant formula. The FDA is conc
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. Recalls Yogurt Covered Pretzels Because of Possible Health Risk

Western Mixers Produce & Nuts, Inc. of Ontario, CA is recalling Yogurt Covered Pretzels, because the yogurt coating has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with wea
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/10/2024)

Voluntary Recall of Select Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds Due to The Possible Presence of Salmonella

Natural Sourcing International is initiating a voluntary recall of one lot of Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds 32 oz. due to the potential presence of Salmonella that may be in some of the finished products. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or
Image of United States seal. United States   (05/08/2024)

Texas Pecan Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts (Not Named Individually), Soy, Dairy(Milk), Sesame and Wheat Not Named in Product

Texas Pecan of Dallas TX is recalling 1 Lb and 8 oz products because it may contain an undeclared allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to (tree nuts, peanuts, almonds, brazils, cashews, filberts, macadamias, pistachios, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, soy, dairy (milk), sesame and