Health

and Sustainability Element 1

8. Health & Sustainability

The City of Sanger is recognized as a healthy and
environmentally sustainable city, serving as an example to
surrounding communities. The City’s efforts in developing
ways for improving the overall health of Sanger have created
a high quality of life for its residents. The residents of Sanger
are dedicated to serving their community in an effort to
consistently make Sanger a better and healthier place to
live.
View overlooking the canal
Sanger is comprised of pedestrian friendly neighborhoods in Sanger.
with a wide variety of retail services, schools, medical
facilities, recreational destinations that can all be accessed

by not only automobiles, but also walking, bicycling, and

public transit. There are many healthy food choices available
for residents of all incomes in restaurants, grocery stores,
farmers markets, and community gardens. The City contains
high-quality and well-utilized parks and facilities in order to
support active lifestyles for the residents of Sanger.

The Sanger community values and protects natural
resources, working to reduce harmful impacts on the

environment. The City relies on clean energy sources, waste

reduction practices, and innovative building practices in

order to reduce energy and harmful emissions. By utilizing
these techniques, the City has reaped many benefits
including a decrease in fossil fuels, cost savings, emission
reductions, air and water conservation, and an overall
improved quality of life.


INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this element is to promote a healthy
environment for the residents of Sanger by integrating
public health and sustainability practices to combat short-
term and long-term health problems in the City. By “The residents of Sanger
are dedicated to serving
integrating both health and sustainability practices, the City
their community to make
will see the co-benefits that each area has on the other,
Sanger a healthier place to
including reducing obesity and improving air quality. The leave.”
health aspects focus on encouraging healthy lifestyle choices
through opportunities for recreational activities, education,

and access to foods for all ages and income levels. The
sustainability aspects further health and other elements in

order to prepare the City of Sanger for future generations by
investing in community wellness and management practices.
 Health and Sustainability Element 2

Health and sustainability is directly related to all other
elements in the General Plan. Because health is such a cross
cutting issue, the policy areas covered in this Element at
times overlap with other Elements in the General Plan.

Where such overlap occurs, policies reference and reinforce

the appropriate Element rather than repeating language There are no state
included elsewhere. This Health and Sustainability Element mandates for a Health and
addresses the major intersections of public health and Sustainability Element;
planning, including: however, these concepts
overlap through all
• Transportation and active living, which relates to land required elements of a
use, circulation, housing, and parks. General Plan. The State of
• Access to nutritious foods, health care, mental health California encourages
healthy and sustainable
and social capital, and green building, which relates
practices through various
to economics. legislative acts.
• Clean air, which relates to safety.



It is important to integrate sustainable practices to improve
and protect the health of Sanger. The following definitions
explain what it means for Sanger to be “healthy” and
“sustainable”:

A healthy Sanger is a close community that respects and
works with each other to achieve a healthy and active
lifestyle that allows them to take advantage of what Sanger
and the surrounding area has to offer. This also means that
the City provides the necessary tools, services, and
opportunities to citizens to live a healthy and active life,

including economic and social equity needs.


A sustainable Sanger is a resilient community that is
planning for the livability of future generations. It also
means approaching health concerns from an environmental
aspect and looking at environmental co-benefits of all
programs proposed to enhance the quality of life in Sanger.












 General Plan Update 3


EXISTING CONDITIONS

Since Sanger does not have an existing Health and Sustainable
Element, the issues addressed will be based on community outreach
and concerns. Many respondents from our community outreach are
concerned with being a food desert, lacking infrastructure for an
active lifestyle, and having poor air quality. Many of these concerns
share a common thread because each issue is a consequence of a
cause and effect. For example, having an auto-dependable

community results in poor air quality from carbon emission, risk of

potential auto accidents, and decrease in physical activity because it
discourage residents from walking or biking. As for being a food

desert, there is a lack of accessibility to healthy and culturally
represented food options, which may cause potential health
concerns like obesity and diabetes. Also, not having a culturally
represented food options can lead to cultural and generational
isolation. The respondents have expressed these concerns through
community engagement and outreach effort.

When painting a picture of what is a healthy lifestyle, the common Social equity: Protection of
theme for every individual, regardless of race, age, and gender, fundamental rights for every
everyone needs access to food, clean air and water, proper shelter, individual
and a dependable mode of transportation for mobility. To achieve a
healthy lifestyle, integration and contribution of every community Environmental equity:
members will help. Overall the main issue is addressing social and Protection of all people and the
environment from individual
environmental equity in Sanger, which proposes collaboration with
pollutants emitted by specific
the City and local partnerships to achieve a common goal. types of sources (EPA, 1992)

Lack of healthy food options

Sanger has two main grocery stores, Walmart and Gong’s Market.
Despite being surrounded by farmland, Sanger holds an annual
farmers’ market throughout September, instead of a year-long
market.

Lack infrastructure for an active lifestyle
The community has concerns with lack of lighting, sidewalks, and
bike lanes to promote outside living.
“As a community, Sanger
Environmental Concern: Air Quality & Drought wants farmers markets and
Central Valley California is rated for poor air quality and community gardens.”
California is declared drought state of emergency by
Governor Jerry Brown in early 2014.





 Health and Sustainability Element 4

OPPORTUNITIES
The following aspects of Sanger’s situation and
circumstances represent opportunities for change:

Public Health Efforts
Many residents expressed concern to improve their health
and wellbeing. The City wishes to improve health conditions, “The City aims to provide
especially in several underserved neighborhoods. Residents programs and services to
and city officials are becoming more aware of the impacts improve the community’s
associated with increasing harsh weather, such as high heat overall wellbeing.”
and drought. The City aims to reverse these impacts by
providing programs and services to improve the community’s
overall wellbeing.

Agriculture

Sanger’s depends largely on its agriculture from an economic

and social aspect. Experts anticipate agriculture will be
significantly impacted by climate change and it will be
crucial for communities to adapt in a promptly manner
(IPCC, 2014). Adjusting to future weather patterns presents
an opportunity to establish agricultural programs early and
promote energy and resource efficiency.

School and Community Involvement
Feedback from numerous surveys report an active Sanger
Unified School District, student body, and local community
members request to improve the built environment to
increase overall health. The local community, especially high
school students and senior center users, vocalized need for
Existing agricultural lands
improving sidewalks to decrease poor walking paths. on the outskirts of Sanger.

Farmer’s Market
The community is interested in implementing a consistent

Farmer’s Market that runs throughout the year. With the
support of local farmers, community members, and

availability of city-owned land, the implementation of a
routine Farmer’s Market is feasible. Farmer’s Markets
improve local health as it provides access to healthy foods.
In addition, Farmer’s Markets improve local economy as
local farmers exchange goods to the community.

Parks
The public has clearly stated a need for improving parks
within city limits. Improving and adding new parks will
increase public health and community unity. Parks provide

places to exercise, congregate, and socialize, which all
improve the community’s wellbeing. In addition, Sanger has

a diversity of cultures and demographics, where access to
 General Plan Update 5

parks may reduce separation of these cultural groups and
increase unity.

Existing vacant infrastructure
The downtown area includes several vacant buildings. These

vacant buildings provide great opportunity for a

revitalization effort of the downtown area. The community
has expressed interest in a downtown update since it has
Parks serve as a place for
been in decline for a number of years. Updating the
recreational and social
downtown core may spur economic activity and lead to gathering for the Sanger
other community events held in downtown. community.

CHALLENGES
The following aspects of Sanger’s situation and
circumstances represent challenges for change:

Community Dependence
The majority of the community is dependent upon vehicles
to complete daily tasks. Many residents require a vehicle to
get from work and home. Vehicles inherently hold many
challenges, such as maintenance costs, traffic, and parking.
Existing park in Sanger.
Other residents are dependent on the city bus service to get

to and from doctor visits. The limited schedule that the city

bus is available to pick residents up and drop them off at
their requested location is a challenge.


New city program costs and behavior change
Adding new programs to increase public health may affect
the city budget. New programs may take funding away from
currently programs. In addition, new services or regulations
may require community behavioral changes. There may be
resistance from community members who find new
regulations difficult to adapt to their lives.


Fast foods

Fast food restaurants are abundant throughout the city. The
availability of fast food provides the community unhealthy
food options, especially if fast food restaurants are the only
available food choices in the neighborhood. The abundance
of fast food restaurants reduces space available for healthier
food options.

Extreme Weather
High heat and drought have the potential to cause negative
impacts on the community’s health. Heat waves limit human
activeness during the summer months, which degrades

personal health. Drought restricts agricultural production,
 Health and Sustainability Element 6

which is a major economy of the local region. In addition,
drought negatively impacts local health.

COMMUNITY INPUT
The following comments and concerns from Sanger residents
and visitors informed the formation of our goals, aims, and
implementation measures:

Healthy Food Options
Based on community outreach events, it is a priority for
residents to have access to healthy food options. This can

take place in the form of healthy food at restaurants,

grocery stores, and farmer’s markets. The suggested
“Healthy Menu Eating Initiative” provides an incentive for
restaurants to serve healthy meals that meet a set standard.

Sports Facility
According to responses at community outreach events,
citizens would like to see a designated sports facility for
recreational activities. There have been comments made
about a lack of space and defined sports area.

Farmer’s Market

A main priority is to have a reoccurring farmer’s market in
Sanger, which was gathered from community outreach

events. A farmer’s market not only provides an opportunity
for citizens to have access to local and healthy foods, but it
is an economic gain for the City. Farmers are able to sell
their produce and residents can sell what they have grown in
community gardens. Businesses also would have an
opportunity to sell their products during the farmer’s
market. Farmer’s markets strengthen a sense of community
and are an excellent gathering activity.
There was a great amount
of support from community
members for an increased
access to healthy food

options.







 General Plan Update 7

GOAL 1

Healthy Community. Promote a
healthy community in Sanger
by providing opportunities for
the community to engage in a
healthy and active lifestyle.



Champions for Change stated
that Sanger is a role model for
healthy food educational
programs and the following
strategies are to help
strengthen and grow the City’s
reputation.


STRATEGIES

1.1 Increased food accessibility. Provide more opportunities to access healthy foods for
all age and income groups from local farmers and businesses.
(Implemented by: HS 1, HS 2, HS 3, HS 4)

1.2 Establish educational healthy eating programs. Develop nutrition consumer
educational programs for all ages and income levels.
(Implemented by: HS 5, HS 6, HS 7, HS 8)

1.3 Develop healthy living programs. Facilitate community recreational leagues and
opportunities.
(Implemented by: HS 9, HS 10)










 Health and Sustainability Element 8

GOAL 2

Walkable and Bikable
Community to Promote Healthy
Living. A community that
encourages physical activity
with close and convenient land
uses that are connected with
safe and efficient
transportation systems.

“About 4 thousand participated
in the annual ‘Walk to School’
events [an annual event] in
Sanger in 2014.”

STRATEGIES

2.1 Encourage Alternative Transportation. Promote and support transportation
decisions that encourage the use of public transit, bicycles, and walking as
alternatives to driving and as a means of increasing levels of physical activity.
(Implemented by: HS 11, HS 12, HS 13, LU 6, LU 14, CIR 4, CIR 5, CIR 11, CIR 20, CIR
21, POS 1, POS 6)

2.2 Encourage Children to Walk and Bike. Work with school districts to encourage
students to walk and bike to school. Prioritize pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle safety
around schools.
(Implemented by: HS 13, CIR 2)

2.3 Balance Transportation Needs. Balance the needs of pedestrians and cyclists with
those of motor vehicles in decisions about the transportation network.
(Implemented by: HS 11, HS 12, HS 13, LU6, LU 14, CIR 21)

2.4 Enhance Recreation and Exercise in Neighborhoods. Enhance existing
neighborhoods to create safe and attractive places for recreation and exercise.
Promote parks, trails, and open spaces, and green spaces within and around new and
existing neighborhoods.
(Implemented by: HS 12, LU6, LU14, CIR 21, POS 1)

2.5 Design for Healthy Lifestyles. Work with public and private civic institutions to
incorporate healthy public spaces into significant development projects and planning
efforts throughout the City.
(Implemented by: HS 12, LU6, LU14, CIR 4, POS 1)
 General Plan Update 9

GOAL 3

Social Well-Being and Equity.
Access to service and planning
for people first with an
emphasis on mental health,
social health, access to
affordable housing, and have
compatible land uses.






“Sanger is a great community, it
is a Hispanic community.”

STRATEGIES

3.1 Complete Neighborhoods. Create complete neighborhoods with access to range of
day-to-day goods and services within walking distance, including medical facilities,
community services, youth programs, and employment opportunities and to increase
the sense of social cohesion among residents.
(Implemented by: HS 1, HS 2, HS 4, HS 9, HS 10, HS 11, HS 15, HS 16, HS 21, LU 1, LU
3, LU 5, LU 15, CIR 1, CIR 11, CIR 21, SAF 9, SAF 11, SAF 24, POS 1, POS 4, POS 10, POS
21, POS 23, POS 28, POS 29, HCR 2, HCR 6, HCR 8, HCR 9, HCR 10, HCR 11, HCR 17,
HCR 19, HCR 20, HCR 22, HCR 23, HCR 25, ECON 1, ECON 8, ECON 15, HOU 2, HOU 6,
HOU 7, HOU 10, HOU 15)

3.2 Health Equity. Promote health equity, including equal access to health facilities,
goods, services, and economic and educational opportunities, helping to ensure
wellbeing for residents of all ages, abilities and incomes.
(Implemented by: HS 3, HS 5, HS 6, HS 7, HS 8, HS 14, HS 28, HS 29, LU 15, CIR 4, SAF
23, POS 20)

3.3 Culturally Responsive Social Services. Promote culturally responsive social services
in Sanger through policies, services, and programs to meet diverse needs in the
community for seniors, youth, non-English speakers, special needs resident and any
residents experiencing cultural isolation or social inclusion.
(Implemented by: HS 16, LU 3, CIR 8, SAF 11, SAF 24, POS 2, HCR 10, HCR 23, ECON
15, HOU 6, HOU 7, HOU 9)
 Health and Sustainability Element 10

GOAL 4

Healthy Community Design. A
community where both the
physical and the natural
environment can co-exist
sustainably.


Champions for Change
expressed interest in seeing
vacant and underutilized areas
throughout the City being put
to better use in ways that will
serve all members of the
community.

STRATEGIES

4.1 Require Green Building Practices. Regulate energy and resource efficient building
practices in all substantial development projects.
(Implemented by: HS 16, HS 17, HS 18, HS 23, HS 25, HS 31, HS 32)

4.2 Encourage Resource-Efficient Landscaping. Require drought-tolerant and native
landscaping for all substantial public projects.
(Implemented by: HS 19)

4.3 Prioritize Infill Development. Select vacant or underutilized parcels for uses that are
affordable and accessible to all incomes.
(Implemented by: HS 15)

4.4 Provide Neighborhood-Serving Retail. Promote local serving retail and public
amenities within walking distance in residential neighborhoods of all incomes.
(Implemented by: HS 21, LU 5)

 General Plan Update 11

GOAL 5

Heat Resilient Community.
A community prepared and resilient to
increasing temperatures and extreme
heat events.





Temperatures in urban areas are
typically higher than less urbanized
areas because pavement and building
materials retain heat (Imhoff et al.,
2010). In the daytime, urban areas
average 1-6° F higher than rural areas,
while nighttime temperatures can be
as much as 22º F higher as the heat is
gradually released from buildings and
pavement (U.S. EPA, 2008)


STRATEGIES

5.1 Increase Urban Vegetation. Encourage urban vegetation such as trees, parks,
gardens and green roofs to shade buildings, pavement, and other dark surfaces.
(Implemented by: HS 4, HS 20)

5.2 Educate Public of Extreme Heat Conditions. Notify public of extreme heat health
concerns to properly adapt and preserve public health.
(Implemented by: HS 29)
 Health and Sustainability Element 12

GOAL 6

Healthy Air Quality.
A community dedicated to improve
air quality and reduce air
pollution.






“Improving air quality in the
central valley requires a collective
effort from all of our local
communities.”
-Heather Heinks, San Joaquin
Valley Air Pollution Control
District.

STRATEGIES

6.1 Broadcast Air Quality Health Warnings. Inform the community on days when air
quality is in poor condition to preserve public health.
(Implemented by: HS 28)

6.2 Promote Renewable and Efficient Energy. Move toward cleaner energy sources such
as renewable energy production and energy efficient developments to decrease air
pollution and GHG emissions.
(Implemented by: HS 17, HS 18, HS 19, HS 23, HS 24, HS 25, POS 36)

6.3 Promote Alternative Fuel Vehicles. Increase awareness and opportunities for
alternative fuel vehicles to decrease air pollution and GHG emissions.
(Implemented by: HS 26, HS 27)
 General Plan Update 13

GOAL 7

Safe and Reliable Water
Resources. Safe and sustainable
water quality and availability to
protect human health and natural
ecosystems.

“The City relies solely on
groundwater for its water
supply.”

STRATEGIES

7.1 Groundwater Management. Adopt local plans to manage available water resources
and account for long-term community needs.
(Implemented by: HS 22, HS 30, HS, 31, HS 32, POS 30, POS 34, POS 35)

7.2 Increase Water Resource Awareness. Raise awareness about water conservation
practices through educational campaigns.
(Implemented by: HS 22, HS 30, HS 31, HS 32, POS 30, POS 34, POS 35)

 Health and Sustainability Element 14

IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES
The following implementation measures strive to achieve the health and sustainability goals
for a healthier community. The collaboration of community members, grass root
organizations, and the City will help keep the cost low to implement the following
measures.

Health & Sustainability Short Long On

Implementation Measures Term Term Going

HS 1 Farmer’s Markets
Facilitate weekly farmers’ markets that allows for local X
farmers and businesses to sell their foods to the community.

HS 2 Local and Cultural Foods Programs

Coordinate with Fresno County Public Health Agency (PHA)
to establish a program with the local food market so that
X
retailers, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other
institutions can carry local agricultural and cultural
products.

HS 3 Healthy Eating Menu Initiative

Develop a Healthy Eating Menu Initiative with Fresno County
Public Health Agency (PHA) that develops healthy menu
criteria and standards with an incentive program for new
X
and existing restaurants to carry healthier menu items that
takes into consideration dietary and cultural restrictions

HS 4 Community Gardens
Establish a program for the creation and maintenance of X
community gardens.

HS 5 Healthy Food Zone

Promote a healthy food zone around schools by working
with the school district to allow for healthy restaurants and X
stores to be located within walking distance of the school
that includes healthy advertising

HS 6 Public Education Program

Coordinate with the Fresno County Public Health Agency
X
(PHA) to develop a healthy foods educational program for all
citizens.

HS 7 Cooking Classes
Work with the Fresno County Public Health Agency (PHA) to
offer community and school cooking classes with healthy X
and local foods and offer incentives for healthy restaurants
to teach the classes.
 General Plan Update 15

HS 8 Healthy Advertising
Create standards for marketing strategies of healthy foods
X
that are especially targeted for children and adolescents
with the Fresno County Public Health Agency (PHA).

HS 9 Recreational Leagues
Organize recreational leagues for all ages in coordination X
with community service organizations.

HS 10 Use of School Facilities

Coordinate with school districts and the Parks and
Recreation Department to implement and maintain after- X
school use of school facilities for playing fields, park spaces,
and other activities.

HS 11 Transit Stops
Require safe and direct pedestrian connections to transit
X
stops for all new development and public infrastructure
projects.

HS 12 Exercise Circuit
Work with interested community members to plan and
develop an exercise circuit that connects and takes X
advantage of existing parks, creeks, and other pedestrian
infrastructure.

HS 13 Safe Routes to School

Collaborate with county public health departments, local
school districts, and local community groups to obtain grant
X
funds for Safe Routes to School programs such as: more
crossing guards, walking school buses, bike trains, carpools,
safer crosswalks

HS 14 City Partnership with Public Health Clinics

Use economic development efforts to recruit medical
services, including dentists, pediatricians, family physicians, X
and clinics that provide drug and alcohol treatment and
counseling.

HS 15 Neighborhood Revitalization Volunteer Committee

Form a volunteer committee to act as a liaison for Sanger
residents and city government to establish ways to promote
X
social well being and healthy lifestyle.

HS 16 Bring Your Grandparents/Elders to School Day

Collaborate with schools to establish a day set to allow X
grandparents or elders from the community to interact with
 Health and Sustainability Element 16

youths to bridge the generational gap through stories,

activities, or interaction.

HS 17 Green Building Ordinance. Adopt a green building

ordinance that meets the standards of either Tier I or Tier II
X
that is set forth by the State of California Building Energy
Efficiency Standards along with CalGreen Standards.

HS 18 Energy-Efficiency Checklist. Establish a checklist to

encourage developers to install energy-efficient
infrastructure and technology, including design strategies, X
energy-efficient lighting, finding renewable resources and
other advances.

HS 19 Voluntary Energy Audits. Create and establish a city-

sponsored program that provides residents with free home
energy audits and offer informational sessions to home X
owners on energy efficient habits, tips, and appliances, etc.
to decrease energy use, focusing on cost benefits.

HS 20 Landscape Design Guidelines. Adopt landscaping

guidelines to ensure the use of native and drought-tolerant
plants and trees that require limited irrigation and
X
maintenance.

HS 21 Infill Development Incentives. Provide incentives for

development on vacant or underutilized parcels that serve X
community needs.

HS 22 Cash for Grass Program

Incentivize conversion of grass yards to drought-sensitive X
vegetation to decrease home water consumption.

HS 23 Tank-less Water Heater Program

Provide the public rebates to exchange outdated water X
heaters with energy efficient water heaters.

HS 24 LED Street Lighting Replacement

Replace existing streetlights and other public lights with X
energy efficient LED lights.

HS 25 New Development LED Lighting

Provide new developments opportunities to install energy X
efficient LED lighting to reduce GHG emissions.

HS 26 Electric Vehicle Benefits Outreach

Work with SJV Air Pollution Control District and SJV Clean X
Cities Coalition to coordinate consumer outreach for electric
 General Plan Update 17

vehicles through multiple media channels, and mobile

marketing.

HS 27 EV Incentives
Incentivize residential and public developments to pre-wire X
for electric vehicle charging equipment.

HS 28 Healthy Air Awareness

Work with Sanger Unified School District and SJVAPCD to
protect public health through participation and programs
X
such as RAAN (Real-Time Air Advisory Network).

HS 29 Cooling Center Public Broadcast

Establish extreme heat public broadcast to notify residents X
of weekly health concerns and available cooling centers.

HS 30 Greywater Irrigation
Adopt standards for use of greywater in new and existing X
development.

HS 31 LID Ordinance
Develop a low impact development (LID) ordinance to limit X
storm water run off and facilitate groundwater recharge.

HS 32 Low-Flow Water Fixture Incentives

Collaborate with water conservation agencies to develop
X
incentives for retrofitting existing infrastructure with low-
flow water fixtures.