Lincoln · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lincoln public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Lincoln Clay Arts Center at the Carnegie Library
The City Council approved a lease on October 13 for the historic Carnegie Library building to become the Lincoln Clay Arts Center. Library services left the Carnegie back in 2011, and budget limits mean no second branch is opening soon — but the Library says it's still working toward a permanent downtown location.
City Spending Priorities and Library Funding
The library is rolling out a branded outreach van and its hold lockers already handle about 30% of all pickup requests — small investments that make the library easier to reach around town.
Heartland at Hidden Hills Residential Design Review
Century Communities is proposing 151 homes south of Hidden Hills Phase 1, with varied Spanish, Farmhouse, and Cottage elevations. The design review shapes what the neighborhood will look like as it builds out.
Capital Improvement Program Budget Updates
The council is reviewing adjustments to capital improvement program budgets for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to align projected expenditures with actual costs across multiple city funds.
Cell coverage dead zones in Verdera and Twelve Bridges
Residents in Verdera, Twelve Bridges, and parts of Sun City have dealt with terrible cell service for years. The new city-built tower should fix much of that, and leasing space to carriers could bring in around $10,000 a month to offset costs.
Village 7 Joint Use Agreement
The city helped fund a new TK-8 school in Village 7 and negotiated shared use of its gym, fields, and park. Councilmember Reedy wants the language fixed so the city gets equal scheduling priority and kids have summer access before the deal is signed.
Road maintenance funding for older neighborhoods
Resident Darla called out dangerous potholes on Third Street that have persisted all summer. The council noted the Third Street grade crossing project on consent and Public Works promised to address the potholes directly.
Open Space Policy and General Plan Review
Two residents urged the council to keep the city's 40 percent open space requirement intact, citing wildlife loss near new development and warning that once land is paved it never comes back.
Parkwood Residential Development Agreement
A 122-home subdivision on 21 acres in Village 1 moved forward with introduction of its development agreement, which locks in developer and city obligations for roads, utilities and parks over 20 years.
Airport Road fire access and RV storage concerns
A resident warned that hundreds of RVs stored at the end of narrow, 12-foot-wide Airport Road could block emergency vehicles and pose a fire hazard. The city manager said code enforcement cases are active and the fire chief confirmed a type three engine can currently reach the area.
Sierra College Boulevard and Twelve Bridges Drive Improvements
The county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $12 million for the Sierra College and Twelve Bridges intersection improvements, keeping the long-sought safety project on track for construction next year.
City Investment Portfolio Performance
The city's $168.9 million investment portfolio took a small paper loss this quarter as the Fed raised rates, but higher yields mean better earnings going forward.
Title 18 Zoning Code Amendments for Home Occupations
The city is updating its 1970s-era home business rules to allow small-scale online businesses and home bakeries without requiring an expensive conditional use permit. While it helps entrepreneurs, some commissioners worried about parking, manufacturing impacts, and neighborhood nuisances.
Draft FY 2024/2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Review
A review of local sales tax receipts showed healthy growth compared to the previous year, driven by consumer spending, fuel prices, and e-commerce activity.
Carefield Assisted Living and Memory Care Project Review
The developer of the Carefield Lincoln assisted living and memory care facility requested a delay on their design review and permit extension. The project will come back before the Planning Commission in November.
Airport Financial Status and Budget Performance
Gates 1, 3, and 4 will be locked overnight, funneling traffic through the camera-monitored main gate to cut down on break-ins. Separately, the automated weather reporting system has been down nearly two weeks — a real safety gap pilots flagged.
Airport Hangar and Tie-Down Waitlist Priority Framework
Five hangars sit empty — about $2,500 a month in lost revenue — while people have waited on the list since 2017. The committee let staff start filling vacancies now and formed an ad hoc group to build a simpler, chronological waitlist policy with clear response deadlines.
Economic Development Action Plan 2030
A draft brochure pitching Lincoln to businesses highlights traffic counts, safety rankings, schools, and retail centers. The committee also floated a sales tax incentive policy for large retailers and infill parcels, to be discussed at a future meeting, and noted the hotel TOT rebate program is nearing expiration.
Downtown Master Plan and Objective Design Standards
The Downtown Lincoln Association is spending a $50,000 city grant on 21 bright planter pots, wayfinding signs, and eventually public art along historic Lincoln Boulevard to draw visitors downtown. Planting happens in late October, with Phase Two art placement in spring 2027.
Park Development and PFE-Funded Buildouts
The Park Phasing Ad-Hoc Committee reviewed remaining park development phases and discussed potential cost-saving changes to ensure limited funds are prioritized effectively.
Recreation Program Participation and Seasonal Updates
The library prepares its annual Summer Reading program to engage youth and families with literacy events, writing contests, and reading challenges.
Cannabis Business Regulation and Zoning
The city is exploring a pilot program that would allow a limited number of cannabis businesses—two retail, two cultivation, and two manufacturing facilities—to operate in Lincoln. City leaders are prioritizing vetting operators first through an RFQ before determining specific locations, while balancing community safety and potential economic benefits.
McBean Stadium Outfield Safety Netting
The city is installing taller outfield safety netting at McBean Stadium to prevent baseballs from flying into neighboring backyards and endangering residents.
Police Department Leadership Transition
Longtime Police Chief Matt Alves is retiring after 27 years with the department, and Captain Zach Eaton has been appointed as the new police chief.
Tier II SPRTA Development Fee Deferral for Liberty at Lincoln
Council debated and approved fee deferrals for regional transportation impact fees for 674 new homes, sparking discussions on inter-agency cooperation and financial backing.
Heavy Truck Traffic and Routing Concerns on Lincoln Boulevard
Board members discussed how concrete mixer trucks and other heavy vehicles travel through historic downtown Lincoln, prompting a review of long-term traffic mitigation and corridor safety goals.
Proposed Cell Tower Project Near 12 Bridges Elementary
Residents voiced strong opposition during public comment regarding a potential cell tower near 12 Bridges Elementary School and local residential neighborhoods, citing property value concerns, safety, and environmental impacts. City staff clarified that while a lease agreement was signed, the project review deadline was extended to February 2027 and it is not a finalized deal.
Special Use District-A Land Planning
The city is taking the lead on planning a massive 2,000-acre economic and industrial hub along Highway 65 near the airport. This city-initiated project aims to attract high-paying jobs, light industrial uses, and commercial development to diversify Lincoln's economy.
Windsor Cove Residential Development and Open Space
A 90-acre residential project proposing 165 homes and extensive open space along Auburn Ravine in Village 5.
Auburn Ravine Estates Production Homes Design Review
Lennar Homes is proposing an 80-lot residential subdivision with diverse floor plans and elevation options, prompting board discussion on affordability versus architectural enhancements.
Village 5A Annexation and Election District Assignment
The city fixed an oversight in a recent annexation so that residents in the new Village 5A neighborhood are officially assigned to Council District 3 and can vote in the upcoming November election.
Fund Balance Analysis and Fiscal Health
The city received a clean financial audit with minor repeat findings and successfully closed out a decades-old bond reconciliation issue.
JLC Concrete Facility Expansion & Design Review
JLC Concrete is building a new two-story office and observation tower at its Gladding Road facility. The project includes parking and landscaping improvements that meet industrial zoning standards.
Illegal Fireworks Enforcement
Residents raised safety concerns regarding widespread illegal fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday. City leadership discussed current enforcement limitations and proposed exploring social host ordinances and steeper fines for future years.
Animal Control Contract Renewal and Future In-House Operations
The city is updating its zoning rules to allow doggy daycares and pet boarding businesses in commercial and light industrial zones. Previously, kennels were restricted exclusively to licensed veterinarians, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to open pet care facilities.
Community Center Skate Park Construction Delays
Unexpected underground utilities discovered during construction have delayed the skate park project, pushing completion into late 2026 and requiring additional engineering adjustments.
Abandoned Construction Site Safety Concern
Residents raised urgent safety concerns about exposed rebar and a deep drop-off at an abandoned construction site near e-bike routes and schools. City staff noted they are investigating security bonds to fund temporary and permanent safety fixes.
E-Bike Safety and Traffic Enforcement
The city is moving to crack down on reckless e-bike and e-scooter riding on sidewalks and walking trails by introducing new safety rules and a $50 fine for violations.
Unhoused Services and Population Reduction
City leadership presented data showing a 79% reduction in Lincoln's homeless population since 2020 through a balanced approach of supportive housing trailers, volunteer programs, and code enforcement.
Fleet Procurement and Environmental Compliance
The city is adjusting its fleet strategy to balance state environmental mandates with operational reliability, opting for a street sweeper over an electric garbage truck.
Starbucks and Circle K Commercial Development
A new commercial project bringing a Starbucks with a drive-thru and a Circle K gas station to First Street and Joiner Parkway sparked community debate about traffic safety and the need for competing gas stations.
CFD 2018-2 Tax Rate Reduction and Streamlined Entitlements
The city lowered maximum special tax rates for CFD 2018-2 properties, providing financial relief to homeowners.
Firefighters Union Successor MOU
The council approved a new 15-month labor agreement with local firefighters, providing modest wage increases and increased bilingual pay while addressing long-term costs.
Brar Property Annexation and Agricultural Preservation
The commission advanced annexation plans for a 115-acre unincorporated property. Neighbors voiced worries about maintaining agricultural rights and protecting their livestock operations from city encroachment.
Business Retention and Expansion Program
Staff proposed organizing annual business walks and direct site visits to major retailers and local businesses to gather feedback and offer city resources.
Permit Assistance Program and Business Outreach
The city is running hybrid workshops and informational sessions to help local businesses navigate permitting processes and build positive relationships with city departments.
Public Safety Ranking and Police Facility Needs
City officials celebrated Lincoln being ranked the third safest city in California by SafeWise, while residents urged the council to plan for a new police station to keep pace with growth.
Community Facilities District (CFD) Policy Overhaul
The city updated its decades-old CFD policies to protect homeowners by capping special tax terms at 40 years, prohibiting certain deferred fee financing, and ensuring refunding savings benefit residents.
Walmart Remodel and Parking Allocation
The board reviewed a paint and signage update for the downtown Walmart store, discussing how exterior branding fits into the downtown corridor.
Proposed Tax Incentives Program for Retail Development
The city is considering a new policy to share sales tax revenue with developers to help offset public infrastructure costs and jumpstart commercial projects. The program targets projects generating between $25 million and $100 million in sales tax revenue with rebate agreements lasting 5 to 10 years.