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The Senate passed SB 215 by a vote of 21-14, meaning the Wiggins measure now heads to the Assembly for consideration.
SB 215 is supported by the California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions, Mendocino LAFCO, Planning and Conservation League, Sonoma LAFCO and Trust for Public Land.
LAFCOs control the boundaries of cities and special districts, including annexations, detachments, city incorporations, and district formations. When preparing to make boundary decisions, LAFCOs must consider 15 specified factors, such as population density, regional housing needs, local general plans, and environmental justice.
“LAFCOs are encouraged, but not required, to consider regional goals and policies,” Wiggins said. “By controlling the boundaries of local governments, LAFCOs can influence the time, location, and character of land development. When a subdivision is in need of sewer service, for example, a LAFCO approval of an annexation of the territory to a sanitation district makes the development feasible.”
To plan for orderly development, LAFCOs adopt "spheres of influence" for every city and special district. Spheres of influence are planning documents that show a city or special district's future boundary and service area. LAFCOs' boundary decisions must be consistent with these spheres of influence.
“SB 215 doesn't declare a new state policy for LAFCOs to carry out,” Wiggins said. “The measure doesn't require LAFCOs to make formal findings when they approve boundary changes. It merely requires LAFCOs to consider regional transportation plans as one factor they think about before they vote.
“Sustainable communities strategies are tied to transportation funds and other incentives,” she added. “A LAFCO would be doing its county a disfavor by not acknowledging its regional sustainable communities strategy.”
Wiggins represents the state’s 2nd Senate District, comprised of portions, or all, of Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
