CITY OF DAVIS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
COMMUNITY CHAMBERS, 23 RUSSELL BOULEVARD, DAVIS, CA 95616 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2024
6:30 P.M.
Members of the City Council:
Josh Chapman, Mayor
Bapu Vaitla, Vice Mayor
Will Arnold
Donna Neville Mike Webb, City Manager
Gloria Partida Inder Khalsa, City Attorney
PLEASE NOTE – The numerical order of items on this agenda is for convenience of reference; times listed are estimates. Items may be taken out of order upon request of the Mayor or Coun- cil Members. A 4/5 vote of the Council is required to begin consideration of a new item of busi- ness after 11:30 p.m.
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Item 1
6:30 Ceremonial Presentations:
A. Recognition and Proclamation Honoring Police Chief Darren Pytel on His Re- tirement from the City of Davis
B. Swearing in Ceremony for Police Chief Todd Henry
Item 2
7:00 A. City Manager Brief Announcements
B. City Council Brief Announcements and Liaison Reports from Various 2x2 Meet- ings and Commission/Board/Inter-jurisdictional Assignments C. City Council Indication of Intent to Pull Item(s) from the Consent Calendar for Discussion
Item 3
7:10 Public Comments
The Public Comments section is for the City Council to receive comments; except for brief questions for clarification, no discussion or action may be taken on any item that is not listed on the agenda. Public comment may be continued to the end of the meeting if the time allotted for public comment expires.
IN PERSON PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Any member of the public may address the City Council on matters not listed on this agenda , or on matters listed on the consent calendar . If possible, citizens should reserve their comments for regular matters listed on this agenda until the 11-19-24 City Council Meeting
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Davis City Council Agenda
November 19, 2024
time the item is considered by the Council.Speakers will be asked to line up at the podium and state their name for the record. Commentsare limited to no more than 2 minutes per speaker.
WRITTEN AND VOICEMAIL PUBLIC COMMENTS:
1. Submit written public comments to [email protected].
Emails are distributed to City Council and staff. To ensure the City Council has the opportunity to review information prior to the meeting, send emails by 3:00 p.m. on the meeting date.
2. Submit comments by voicemail prior to the meeting: Call the city’s dedicated phone line (530) 757-5693 to leave a voicemail message for public comment.
Staff will play comments during the appropriate agenda item. Comments will be accepted from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Voicemail public comments will not be accepted after 4:00 p.m. Speakers will be limited to no more than two minutes.
Note: You must leave a separate voicemail for each item you wish to com- ment on. Please indicate your name and which item you are speaking about.
Regular Calendar
*See above instructions for public comments*
Item 4
7:30 Public Hearing: Wastewater Local Limit Discharge Daily Maximums– Specific Pol- lutant Limitations ( Public Works Utilities & Operations Director Stan Gryczko/ PWUO Deputy Director Adrienne Heinig/Environmental Resources Manager San- dra Macomb)
Recommendation: Introduce Ordinance Amending Section 33.03.080 of the Da- vis Municipal Code Relating to Sewers and Sewage Disposal, and Making a De- termination of Exemption Under CEQA Pursuant to Sections 15263 and 15308 Item 5
7:45 Village Farms Davis Project Update – CEQA Document and Entitlements Status Report (Community Development Director Sherri Metzker/Principal Planner Dara Dungworth)
Recommendation: Receive an informational status update report from Staff on the Environmental Impact Report and the project application, including introducing the proposed equal weight alternative project. No formal action is being taken on the proposed project or on the CEQA document at this time.
Item 6
8:30 A. AB 1234 Reporting of Meetings Attended at City Expense B. City Council Long Range Calendar. The calendar is a fluid working document used to support efficient and effective meetings and is subject to change. At this time, Council may request items be placed on a future meeting agenda Adjournment.
11-19-24 City Council Meeting
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Davis City Council Agenda
November 19, 2024
The foregoing agenda for the November 19, 2024 meeting of the Davis City Council was delivered to each Councilmember and posted on the outside public bulletin board at City Hall, 23 Russell Boulevard on No- vember 15, 2024, and made available to the public during normal business hours.
Meetings may be viewed online. They are live streamed and archived meetings are available for review at http://cityofdavis.org/city-hall/city-council/city-council-meetings/meeting-videos.
Meetings are also televised live on City of Davis Government Channel 16 (available to those who subscribe to cable television) and replayed at the following times: Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.; Thursday at 7:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; and Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
Closed captions are available for televised meetings - to view, activate captions on your viewing device.
If you have any questions regarding televised meetings or the Government Channel in general, please call 530-757-5667.
General Notes:
By request, alternative agenda document formats are available to persons with disabilities. To arrange an alternative agenda document format or to arrange aid or services to modify or accommodate per- sons with a disability to participate in a public meeting, contact the City Cler k by calling 530-757-5648 (voice) or 530-757-5666 (TDD).
Staff recommendations are guidelines to the City Council. On any item, the Council may take action which varies from that recommended by staff.
The City does not transcribe its proceedings. Anyone who desires a verbatim record of this meeting should arrange for a court reporter or for other acceptable means of recordation. Such arrangements will be at the sole expense of the individual requesting the recordation. For questions about this agenda, call the City Clerk’s Office 530-757-5648 or email Clerkweb@cityofda- vis.org.
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PROCLAMATION
HONORING POLICE CHIEF DARREN PYTEL
ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE CITY OF DAVIS
WHEREAS, Chief Darren Pytel, who grew up in Davis, began his career with the City of Davis in 1983 at the tender age of 14 as a Cadet with the Davis Police Department; and WHEREAS, the world was a very different place in 1983, with the Police Department downtown at 226 F Street; the top song in the country “Every Breath You Take” by The Police; the Emmy-winning TV show Hill Street Blues; no in-car computers, cell phones, in-car or body cameras, or any of the standard equipment issued for police officers today; and the Davis population around 36,640; and WHEREAS, Chief Pytel advanced through the ranks as a Bike Enforcement Officer, a Parking Enforcement Officer, a Police Aid and a provisional Police Officer, before officially becoming a Police Officer in 1991; he then continued to promote through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Assistant Chief, before taking on the role of Police Chief on December 31, 2015; and WHEREAS, Chief Pytel worked under six different police chiefs before he became Chief, and 35 individual Council members and 11 City Managers during the course of his time with the City; and WHEREAS, Chief Pytel created a culture in the Davis Police Department that prioritizes a Serve with Pride, Enforce the Law, and Guard Individual Human Rights approach; and WHEREAS, Chief Pytel received the Multi-Cultural Community Council Administration of Justice award for creating and implementing the Alternative Conflict Resolution process that allows for peaceful conflict resolution and mediation; and
WHEREAS, Chief Pytel led the Police Department and the community through traumatic events, occurring both local and nationwide, that have brought about protests, community forums and significant dialogue surrounding public safety and policing; his proactive strategies have fostered stronger community relationships, enhanced public safety and promoted trust between law enforcement and members of the public; and
WHEREAS, Chief Pytel always remained informed of the everchanging legal landscape of the law, often updating Department policy, as appropriate, well before a new law took effect ensuring Department members were well trained and prepared to provide the services desired by the community; and WHEREAS, Chief Pytel has faced challenges with courage and resilience, always placing the welfare of our City and its residents above all. He has also guided the City and Department through several complex community tragedies, including the loss of Police Officer Natalie Corona and the response to a series of stabbings and homicides in the spring of 2023; and WHEREAS, Chief Pytel served as the citywide Incident Commander during the COVID-19 pandemic, guiding the City organization through unchartered waters, such as Shelter in Place, social distancing and mask mandates, over the course of two years, starting in March of 2020; and WHEREAS, Chief Pytel completed law school and applied his legal knowledge and expertise, including a deep understanding and dedication to ensuring the protections of free speech allowed under the First Amendment, to the betterment of the Davis Police Department and the City organization; and WHEREAS, after 41 years of dedicated service with the City, Chief Darren Pytel’s legacy leaves the Department well trained and prepared to move forward confidently, more than earning his retirement, spending time teaching, playing with grandkids and drinking a fine wine.
NOW, THEREFORE, we the Davis City Council, on behalf of the people of Davis, hereby recognize the 41 years of outstanding service Police Chief Darren Pytel gave to the Davis community and wish him well in retirement.
November 19, 2024
Josh Chapman Bapu Vaitla Will Arnold Donna Neville Gloria Partida Mayor Vice Mayor Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember 11-19-24 City Council Meeting
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STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 19, 2024
TO: City Council
FROM: Stan Gryczko, Director - Public Works Utilities and Operations Sandra Macomb, Environmental Resources Manager
Adrienne Heinig, Deputy Director – Public Works Utilities and Operations SUBJECT: Public Hearing and Introduction to changes to Chapter 33 of the City’s Municipal Code related to Wastewater Local Limit discharge daily maximums – Specific pollutant limitations.
Recommendation
1. Conduct a public hearing; and
2. Introduce the first reading of an Ordinance amending Section §33.03.080 of the City of Davis Municipal Code, and find the ordinance amendment exempt from environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Sections §15263 and §15308.
Summary
The proposed specific discharge limitations (Local Limits) includes removal of Chromium (hexavalent), bromoethane, chloroform, chloromethane, 14 dichlorobenzene, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethene (PCE), toluene, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, tributyltin (TBT), dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, 1,2 dichloropropane, 1,3 dichloropropane and trichloropropane; and the addition of pollutants which include ammonia as N, arsenic, chromium, molybdenum and cyanide; and relaxing limits on cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, sliver, zinc, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS).
Fiscal Impact
The cost associated with this ordinance amendment and enforcement of the City’s Municipal Code related to Wastewater discharges is within the current operating budget of the Wastewater Program (Fund 531). This has no impact on the general fund.
Council Goals
This amendment is consistent with the Council Goals to Strengthen Climate Resilience and Maintain High Quality Infrastructure and Services.
Commission Input
Approval of this amendment to the City’s Municipal Code is a standard operating procedure, with the City Council providing direct authority for approval.
Background and Analysis
As part of its wastewater system (and required by Federal law), the City of Davis has a comprehensive Pretreatment Program. The Pretreatment Program is responsible for 11-19-24 City Council Meeting
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providing regulatory oversight of wastewater discharges in our service area, with an emphasis on industrial and commercial (non-residential) customers. The objective is to protect the conveyance system and the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) from harmful discharges through permitting, sampling, enforcement and oversight related to industrial discharges. Additionally, the pretreatment program implements significant source reduction programs, outreach and education programs and incident response.
Pretreatment Programs are subject to regular reviews for compliance. On December 9, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) evaluated the City of Davis Pretreatment Program for compliance.
During this evaluation, it was determined that the City’s wastewater Local Limits needed to be reviewed for potential updates. Local Limits represent the proposed specific discharge limitations. Any updates require approval by the State or Regional Water Quality Control Board as a substantial change to the City’s Pretreatment Program.
The City’s current Local Limits were developed in 1993 and most recently modified in 2013. A new Local Limits study was conducted and completed in July of 2020 which included consideration of the upgrades to the WWTP in 2016. As is the case with any study of this type, local limits may be removed, increased, or decreased based on the ability of the wastewater conveyance system and the WWTP to treat and prevent pass through of these constituents and meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements. As treatment processes change or are added, local limits may adjust to account for the ability of the WWTP to meet all applicable goals. Regardless of the updates to the Local Limits, the discharge from the WWTP continues to meet State and Federal quality requirements. There was some delay in completing the review of the Local Limits Report due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After review of the report on the Local Limits study, on December 28, 2023, The State Water Board on behalf of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board approved the City of Davis’s proposed changes.
The City posted informational documents related to proposed amendment to Chapter 33 of the City’s Municipal Code on the City’s website on November 15, 2024, published a Notice of Public Hearing on October 16, 2024 and mailed letters directly to industrial dischargers within the City’s jurisdiction on October 17, 2024. Additional information can be found at https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-utilities-and- operations/wastewater/pretreatment.
Based on the Local Limits Report and State approval, staff is proposing to adopt the new Local Limits.
Attachments
1. Ordinance amending Section §33.03.080 of the City of Davis Municipal Code.
2. Redline version of the changes to Section §33.03.080 of the Davis Municipal Code.
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ORDINANCE NO. ____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DAVIS AMENDING SECTION 33.03.080 OF THE CITY OF DAVIS MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL, AND MAKING A DETERMINATION OF EXEMPTION UNDER CEQA PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 15263 AND 15308 WHEREAS, the City and all properties within it discharge wastewater to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges its treated wastewater to the surface waters of the State of California and of the U.S.; and WHEREAS, the City is required under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program to obtain a permit from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board to discharge its treated wastewater to surface waters of the State and of the U.S.; and
WHEREAS, the State of California requires that the City be responsible for adoption and enforcement of ordinances and/or policies, implementation of identified control measures/Best Management Practices (BMPs) needed to prevent or reduce pollutants in treated wastewater, and for allocation of funds for capital, operation and maintenance, and enforcement expenditures necessary to implement and enforce such control measures/BMPs within its jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the NPDES program requires the City to develop and enforce a pretreatment program to reduce the level of contaminants that enter the sanitary sewer collection system from residents and businesses within the City and to maintain the sanitary sewer system; and
WHEREAS, on December 9, 2015 , the City of Davis Pretreatment Program was evaluated by Tetra Tech, a contracted inspector for the EPA to conduct a Pretreatment Compliance inspection. During this evaluation, it was determined that the proposed change to wastewater local limits needed to be reviewed and approved by the State or Regional Water Quality Control Board as a substantial change to the City’s Pretreatment Program; and
WHEREAS, in July 2020, the City completed a Local Limits Study and received an approval letter from the State Regional Water Resources Control Board dated December 28, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the City posted informational documents related to proposed amendments to Chapter 33 of the City’s Municipal Code on the City’s website on November 15, 2024, published a Notice of Public Hearing related to proposed amendments on October 16, 2024, and mailed letters directly to industrial dischargers within the City’s jurisdiction on October 17, 2024.
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NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DAVIS DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 33.03.080 of Article 33.03 Chapter 33 of the Davis Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows:
33.03.080 Specific pollutant limitations.
No person or user shall discharge wastewater contain in excess of:
POLLUTANT UNIT LOCAL LIMIT (DAILY
MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION)
ARSENIC mg/L 1.7
CADMIUM mg/L 4.7
CHROMIUM mg/L 23
COPPER mg/L 7.1
LEAD mg/L 5.0
MERCURY mg/L 0.21
MOLYBDENUM mg/L 1,500
NICKEL mg/L 6.8
SELENIUM mg/L 14
SILVER mg/L 4.1
ZINC mg/L 4.0
BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) mg/L 3,800
TSS (Total Suspended Solids) mg/L 2,600
AMMONIA AS N mg/L 2,700
CYANIDE mg/L 8.2
All concentrations for metallic substances are for “total” metal unless indicated otherwise.
Compliance with all parameters may be determined from a single grab if a single grab is representative of the waste stream discharged.
BMPs will be incorporated as a narrative local limit as the specific BMP is developed by the public works department.
SECTION 2 . CEQA. The City Council finds that this Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”). CEQA applies to “projects” as defined by California Public Resources Code §21065 and CEQA Guidelines §15378(a). A project is an activity “w hich may cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect change in the environment.” CEQA Guidelines §15378(a). Under §15263 of the CEQA Guidelines , discharge requirements under the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the regional boards are exempt from preparing an EIR or a Negative Declaration for the adoption of discharge requirements 11-19-24 City Council Meeting
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and the proposed local limit discharge concentrations were approved by the SWRCB in a letter dated December 28, 2023.
Further, the proposed Local Limit is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to §15308 of the CEQA Guidelines, as an action authorized by state law to assure the maintenance restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment.
SECTION 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance for any reason is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decisio n shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance, and each section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effec t thirty (30) days from and after the date of its final passage and adoption.
SECTION 5. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall post or publish this Ordinance as required by law.
INTRODUCED on the 19th day of November, 2024 and PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Davis on this __ day of _____, 2024, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
Josh Chapman
Mayor
ATTEST:
Zoe S. Mirabile, CMC
City Clerk
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Chapter 33 WASTEWATER AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Article 33.03 DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS
33.03.080 Specific pollutant limitations.
No person or user shall discharge wastewater containing in excess of:
POLLUTANT UNIT
LOCAL LIMIT (DAILY
MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION)
ARSENIC mg/l 1.7
CADMIUM mg/l 0.10 4.7
CHROMIUM mg/l 23
CHROMIUM (HEXAVALENT) mg/l 0.03
COPPER mg/l 3.00 7.1
LEAD mg/l 1.00 5.0
MERCURY mg/l 0.05 0.21
NICKEL mg/l 2.00 6.8
SELENIUM mg/l 0.01 14
SILVER mg/l 2.00 4.1
ZINC mg/l 1.00 4.0
BROMOMETHANE µg/l 2
CHLOROFORM µg/l 400
CHLOROMETHANE µg/l 7
1,4-DICHLOROBENZENE µg/l 400
METHYLENE CHLORIDE µg/l 2000
TETRACHLOROETHENE (PCE) µg/l zero discharge
TOLUENE µg/l 600
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE µg/l 1500
BIS (2-ethylhexyl) PHTHALATE µg/l 5.9
TRIBUTYLTIN (TBT) µg/l 0.3
BOD mg/l 2800 3800
TSS mg/l 250 2600
1,2 DIBROMOETHANE (EDB) µg/l ND
1,2 DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE
(DBCP)
µg/l ND
BENZENE µg/l ND
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE µg/l ND
CHLOROBENZENE µg/l ND
1,2 DICHLOROETHANE µg/l ND
1,2 DICHLOROPROPANE µg/l ND
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POLLUTANT UNIT
LOCAL LIMIT (DAILY
MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION)
1,3 DICHLOROPROPANE µg/l ND
1,2,3 TRICHLOROPROPANE µg/l ND
AMMONIA AS N mg/l 2700
CYANIDE mg/l 8.2
All concentrations for metallicsubstances are for "total" metal unless indicated otherwise.
Compliance with all parameters may be determined from a single grab if a single grab is representative of the waste stream discharged.
BMPs will be incorporated as a narrative local limit as the specific BMP is developed by the public works department.
(Ord. 2403 § 1, 2013)
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STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 19, 2024
TO: City Council
FROM: Sherri Metzker, Community Development Director
Dara Dungworth, Principal Planner
SUBJECT: Village Farms Davis Project Update – Information Item CEQA Document and Entitlements Status Report
Recommendation
Receive an informational status update report from Staff on the Environmental Impact Report and the project application, including introducing the proposed equal weight alternative project. No formal action is being taken on the proposed project or on the CEQA document at this time.
Fiscal Impact
This report is provided for informational purposes only, and therefore there has no direct fiscal impact. This update is to provide the Council and the public with the status of the preparation of the CEQA document and the processing of the Village Farms project application.
Council Goals
This item relates to Council Goals
1. Achieving greater fiscal resilience
3. Shoring up the housing continuum
5. Maintaining high quality infrastructure and services Project Background
The applicant submitted the Village Farms Davis project application in April of 2023. The application consists of a sphere of influence (SOI) amendment, annexation into the City boundaries, pre-general plan land use designation, pre-zoning, and a development agreement. See Figure 1 for the original proposed project’s Land Use Plan. In spring of 2023, the City Council directed staff to begin review and processing the application with the intent of allowing City Council the opportunity to review and, if approved by Council, place the project proposal before the voters in 2025, pursuant to Measure J/R/D.
In October 2023, the City Council awarded the contract for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Village Farms Davis proposal to Raney Planning & Management, Inc. (Raney) as required to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Council also directed staff to have the Notice of Preparation (NOP) drafted and to return to the Council for further direction before commencing the NOP public review period.
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Later in October 2023, the Council directed staff to release the NOP and commence the EIR scoping comment period. The comment period was extended beyond the required 30 days and concluded in early December. The October 24, 2023 staff report can be found here.
In keeping with past City practice, a Scoping Meeting was held in November 2023. The meeting was held in an open house format and allowed approximately twenty-two individuals to review the proposed project exhibits and/or submit written comments.
Additional agency and public comments were received via US Mail and electronic mail.
In December 2023, the Council reviewed the proposed draft project alternative concepts. The December 12, 2023 staff report can be found here.
Purpose of This Report
Based on the proposed project that was initially submitted to the City for processing and with the subsequent review and analysis, corresponding revisions to the initial proposal have unfolded in this particular sequence. As previously noted in the NOP release and alternatives discussion staff reports, five initial concepts for project alternatives were introduced, including a lower number of units-same project size, an agricultural resource preservation, a biological resource preservation, a higher number of dwelling units/same footprint alternative, and a “no project” alternative as required under CEQA. As the work on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) is nearing completion, this project update is being provided to Council to communicate the impact of the CEQA process and Staff’s analysis on the design and programming of the originally proposed project.
Through the analyses provided by various technical reports, other investigation performed by the applicant, and direction from Staff, the original project has been revised. In addition, the Biological Resource Assessment prepared for the project identified the habitat resource area as an alkali playa (a type of jurisdictional wetland).
With that information, the applicant determined that the previously conceptualized biological resource avoidance alternative would be the project that they wished to bring forward and seek approval of. Therefore, the applicant requested that Staff direct Raney to prepare the EIR with an equal weight alternative (EWA) for the Biological Resource Preservation Alternative (BRPA). An Equal Weight Alternative is a modified project design that substantially lessens or eliminates the significant environmental effects of a project, while still achieving most or all of the project objectives, and has been analyzed at the same level of scrutiny as the proposed project. Other alternatives, including the No Project alternative, receive a “qualitative” or comparative assessment rather than a full analysis. The differences between the three versions of the project are described in more detail in the following sections.
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Originally Proposed Project
In general, the originally proposed project consisted of a mixed-use development community, including a total of 1,800 dwelling units, comprised of both affordable and market-rate single- and multi-family residences, across various residential neighborhoods. In addition, the proposed project included neighborhood services; public, semi-public, and educational uses; associated on-site roadway improvements; utility improvements; parks, open space, and greenbelts; and off-site improvements.
See Table 1 for the land uses and acreage originally proposed for the project and Figure 1 for the Land Use Plan for the original proposal.
Table 1 – Proposed Land Uses – Original Proposed Project Proposed Land Use
Designation
Land Use Type Units Acres
Residential Low Density Market-Rate Single-Family Units and Duplexes
680 157.4
Residential Medium
Density
Starter Single-Family Units 310 40.0
Townhomes and Cottages 160 16.1
Condominiums and Stacked Flats 150 15.1
Affordable Multi-Family Units 60 5.9
Residential Medium High
Density
Market-Rate Apartments 200 11.6
Residential High Density Affordable Multi-Family Units 240 7.9 Residential Total Units | Total Acreage 1,800 254.0
Neighborhood Mixed-Use Neighborhood Services N/A 2.8
Public/Semi Public Emergency Services Community Center N/A 2.5 Pre-K Early Learning Center N/A 2.4
Educational Farm N/A 2.8
Park Heritage Oak Park (community park) N/A 20.3
Village Trails Park (neighborhood park) N/A 7.5
Natural Habitat Area Natural Habitat Area N/A 25.8
Urban Agricultural
Transition Area (UATA)
UATA N/A 11.3
Neighborhood Greenbelt Greenbelts N/A 39.7
N/A Roads N/A 21.3
Non-Residential Total Acreage 136.4
Grand Total 390.5
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Figure 1 – Land Use Plan – Original Proposed Project (April 2023) 11-19-24 City Council Meeting
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Revised Proposed Project
In general, the revised proposed project is very similar to the original project and consists of a mixed-use development community, including a total of 1,800 dwelling units, comprised of both affordable and market-rate single- and multi-family residences, across various residential neighborhoods. In addition, the revised project includes neighborhood services; public, semi-public, and educational uses; associated on-site roadway improvements; utility improvements; parks, open space, and greenbelts; and off-site improvements. The most significant change to the revised project is the enlargement of the Urban Agricultural Transition Area where the groundwater recharge facility was originally proposed. See Table 2 for the land uses and acreage proposed for the revised project and Figure 2 for the Land Use Plan for the revised proposed project.
Table 2 – Proposed Land Uses – Revised Proposed Project Proposed Land Use
Designation
Land Use Type Units Acres
Residential Low Density Market-Rate Single-Family Units and Duplexes
680 157.4
Residential Medium
Density
Starter Single-Family Units 310 40.0
Townhomes and Cottages 160 16.1
Condominiums and Stacked Flats 150 15.1
Affordable Multi-Family Units 60 5.9
Residential Medium High
Density
Market-Rate Apartments 200 11.6
Residential High Density Affordable Multi-Family Units 240 7.9 Residential Total Units | Total Acreage 1,800 254.0
Neighborhood Mixed-Use Neighborhood Services N/A 2.8
Public/Semi Public Fire Station N/A 2.5
Pre-K Early Learning Center N/A 2.4
Educational Farm N/A 2.8
Park Heritage Oak Park (community park) N/A 20.3
Village Trails Park (neighborhood park) N/A 7.5
Natural Habitat Area Natural Habitat Area N/A 25.8
Urban Agricultural
Transition Area (UATA)
UATA N/A 118.4
Neighborhood Greenbelt Greenbelts N/A 39.7
N/A Roads N/A 21.3
Non-Residential Total Acreage 243.5
Grand Total 497.5
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Figure 2 – Land Use Plan – Revised Proposed Project (April - October 2024) 11-19-24 City Council Meeting
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Equal Weight Alternative – Biological Resources Preservation Alternative Along with other preliminary alternative concepts mentioned above, an earlier conceptual version of the Biological Resource Preservation Alternative (BRPA) was presented to Council in December 2023 (link to staff report provided above). That alternative anticipated retaining the original number of units proposed (1,800), and initially showed development within the project that preserved an area that extended slightly beyond the identified potential resource area that is now delineated as an alkali playa area. The current, more refined BRPA has removed approximately 47.1 total acres from the proposed development and preserves the designated biological resource area while retaining the 1,800 dwelling units as originally proposed. The BRPA increases the acreage of the Natural Habitat Area from 25.8 acres as originally proposed to 47.1 acres. See Table 3 for the BRPA project’s proposed land uses and see Figure 3 for the BRPA’s proposed Land Use Plan.
Table 3 – Proposed Land Uses – BRPA/Equal Weight Alternative Proposed Land Use
Designation
Land Use Type Units Acres
Residential Low Density Market-Rate Single-Family Units and Duplexes
310 61.4
Residential Medium
Density
Market-Rate Single-Family Units and
Duplexes
1,130 135.9
Residential High Density Market Rate and Affordable Multi- Family Units
360 12.2
Residential Total Units | Total Acreage 1,800 209.5
Neighborhood Mixed-Use Neighborhood Services N/A 2.9
Public/Semi Public Fire Station N/A 2.5
City Storm Water Conveyance N/A 21.4
Pre-K Early Learning Center N/A 2.4
Educational Farm N/A 2.8
Park Heritage Oak Park (community park) N/A 20.3
Village Trails Park (neighborhood park) N/A 6.8
Natural Habitat Area Natural Habitat Area N/A 47.1
Urban Agricultural
Transition Area (UATA)
UATA (including borrow site) N/A 118.4
Neighborhood Greenbelt Greenbelts N/A 40.8
N/A Roads N/A 22.7
Non-Residential Total Acreage 288.1
Grand Total 497.5
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Figure 3 – Land Use Plan for the BRPA/Equal Weight Alternative (April - November 2024). Applicant Preferred Project
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Path from Original Project to BRPA
After release of the NOP in November 2023 for the originally proposed project, through continued investigation and analysis, modifications were identified to improve the originally proposed project. City Staff’s review and analysis with respect to the Emergency Services Community Center (ESCC), determined that the City did not have need of an additional community event venue, as originally suggested, and the public programming of the ESCC was not compatible with the use of the facility for public safety operations. Additionally, the City determined that a fully operational training facility would not be compatible in close proximity to residential neighborhoods. A Fire Station, to provide only public safety operations remains as part of the proposed project.
The original application included a proposed groundwater recharge basin to the north of the project. The intention was to provide a local and regional resource to protect and supplement local water storage. The proposed groundwater recharge use was well received; however, it was determined after multiple meetings with Yolo County, UC Davis experts and City staff that this particular location did not have the ideal soil make up to support its intended benefits. The revised project and the BRPA have replaced groundwater recharge with a proposed Urban Agricultural Transition Area that will provide public access to this open space for current and future generations.
The original project included potential grade separated pedestrian/bicycle crossings to connect the Davis Bike Loop over F Street and the UPRR railroad tracks and over Pole Line Road, if they were determined to be feasible. The proposed project and project alternatives continue to provide an opportunity to explore grade separated crossings.
Collaborative discussions with appropriate stakeholders will continue to identify the best path forward to achieve the long-standing community goal of continuing the Davis Bike Loop from Wildhorse to Northstar. The feasibility of the crossings will ultimately depend on UPRR, geographical constraints, the financial feasibility of what can reasonably and realistically be borne by the project, and consideration of impacts to the surrounding area.
Finally, upon review and analysis of the Biological Resources Assessment in Spring 2024, the applicant requested that the BRPA should be evaluated in the EIR alongside the revised proposed project as an equal weight alternative to receive the same level of analysis and review. Staff and legal counsel determined that analyzing an equal weight alternative would be the appropriate mechanism under CEQA to allow for full consideration and development of mitigation measures to allow for City Council action on the BPRA. The EIR will provide analysis of both projects’ environmental impacts and provide mitigation for those impacts. The applicant has indicated that the BRPA is now the project proposal that will be brought forward for further review and consideration by the City, rather than the revised project. Table 4 provides a summary table of the features that changed between the projects as well as the acreage and the residential density of the projects for comparison.
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Table 4 – Project Feature Comparison of the Original Proposed Project, Revised Proposed Project, and Equal Weight Alternative Project
To offset the shift of 47 acres of developed land to habitat preservation, while retaining the same 1,800-unit count, the BRPA Equal Weight alternative results in densification of the remaining residential areas. This includes a net increase of 360 missing middle units, an increase to 20% affordable units (a net increase of 60 affordable units), and an adjustment to right size the Down Payment Assistance Homes unit count to achieve a higher level of affordability impact with a meaningful down payment assistance dollar amount for each of the 90 units, while still balancing the overall project financial feasibility in light of the above noted adjustments.
Environmental Impact Report Status
As of the publication of this staff report, the Administrative Draft EIR (ADEIR) was due to the City for Staff’s internal review of the full document on November 19th. Staff will provide an update on the status of the ADEIR at the Council meeting.
Following Staff’s review of the ADEIR, comments will be provided to Raney for revisions to the Draft EIR (DEIR). The DEIR is expected to be released for the required 45-day public review period in early 2025 and a Planning Commission public meeting will be held during the public review period to accept public comments. Public comments will be reviewed and responded to with the Final EIR (FEIR) anticipated to be available to the public in early Spring 2025. Other Commissions, Planning Commission, and City Council meetings will be scheduled once the DEIR public review period has closed.
Project Features Original Revised EW
Alternative
Affordable Housing per City of Davis
Ordinance
16.6%
(300 units)
16.6%
(300 units)
20%
(360 units)
Downpayment Assistance Homes 310 310 90
Market Rate Affordable-by-Design/Missing
Middle 680 680 1040
Market Rate Multi-Family 200 200 0
Market Rate Single-Family Custom 680 680 310
Total Housing Units 1,800 1,800 1,800
Urban Agricultural Transition Area
(UATA)(acres) 11.3 118.4 118.4
Groundwater recharge area X
Preserved Habitat (delineated 47.1 acre alkali
playa area) X
Village Trails Park (acres) 7.5 7.5 6.8
Greenbelts (acres) 39.7 39.7 40.8
Overall Gross Density (dwelling units per
acre) 7.09 7.09 8.59
Gross Residential Acreage 254 254 209.5
Gross Project Acreage 390.5 497.5 497.5
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Other Commissions will be provided the opportunity at a publicly noticed meeting to comment on the DEIR. The Commissions will be expected to review areas of the DEIR that are within the Commission’s purview.
Project Application Status
In October, final details of both the Proposed Project (revised from the Original Project) and the Equal Weight Alternative were resolved, allowing the drafting of the EIR to proceed with final project descriptions for each. The applicant has worked to update the Proposed Project, revising the Original Project to reflect revisions as discussed above (also see Table 4).
As of the publication of this staff report, the applicant has provided updated materials for the Proposed Project as well as new materials for the EWA. These materials will be uploaded onto the project’s webpage on or about November 19th.
Other elements of the project’s application, including the Fiscal Analysis, the Development Agreement, the Affordable Housing Plan, and the Sustainability Plan are underway and will be completed prior to the project being scheduled to be reviewed by the Commissions.
Additional Project Information
As noted above, the project webpage will be updated with the revised application materials and can be found at this link:
https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/community-development/development-projects/village- farms-davis
Next Steps
The following is a list of key next steps and corresponding dates:
Applicant community outreach in each City Council District – January, 2025 Draft EIR release for community and Commission comments – early 2025 Preparation of Final EIR (including response to comments) – by May, 2025 Commissions review and recommendations to City Council – February-May, 2025 Planning Commission public hearing and recommendations to City Council – late May/early June, 2025
City Council public hearing – June 17, 2025
Ballot Measure – November, 2025
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City Council Long Range Calendar
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024 Special Meeting (6:00-8:00 pm) SSH Homelessness Discussion
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2024 On-Call (Holiday Week) Due: Nov 18, 12pm
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2024 Regular Meeting Due: Nov 25,
12pm
Ceremonial COUNCIL Recognition of Outgoing Council Member Consent CMO Climate Action Adaption Plan (CAAP) Update
Consent PW E&T H St Storm Drain Pump Station Design Contract CIP ET0022 Regular PW E&T Fire Station 31 Updates
Regular CMO Discussion & Council Direction on Elevating Economic Development TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2024 On-Call Due: Dec 2,
12pm
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2024 Regular Meeting Due: Dec 9,
12pm
Regular CLERK Certify Election Results
Regular COUNCIL Swearing In of Newly Elected Council Members Ceremonial COUNCIL Outgoing Mayor and Electeds Recognition Consent PW E&T Street Standards Conformance Update
Consent FIN State Sales Tax Agreement
Consent PCS Playfields Batting Cages
Regular CDD General Plan Update Consultant Contract
Regular CMO Council Budget Priorities Discussion
Regular CDD Public Hearing: Form Based Code Amendments Part 1 Regular CMO Selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor for 2025
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2024 Observed Holiday - No Meeting Due: Dec 16, 12pm
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2024 Observed Holiday - No Meeting Due: Dec 30, 12pm
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Dec 30,
12pm
Regular SSH Public Hearing: Downpayment Assistance Framework Ordinance Regular CDD Public Hearing: Form Based Code Amendments Part 2 TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025 On-Call Due: Jan 6,
12pm
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Jan 13,
12pm
Regular CMO Yolo Community Foundation Presentation: American Recue Plan Grant Recap Regular COUNCIL Council Liaison Appointments
Regular CDD Public Hearing: Zoning Omnibus Amendment
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025 On-Call Due: Jan 20,
12pm
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Jan 27,
12pm
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025 On-Call Due: Feb 3,
12pm
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Feb 10, 12pm
Regular CDD Public Hearing: Retail Zoning Ordinance Amendment Planned Development Clean Up
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025 On-Call Due: Feb 17,
12pm
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Feb 24,
12pm
Regular CMO SACOG Presentation - 2025 Blueprint Project TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025 On-Call Due: Mar 3,
12pm
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Mar 10,
12pm
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2025 On-Call (DJUSD and UCD Spring Break) Due: Mar 17, 12pm
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Mar 24,
12pm
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City Council Long Range Calendar
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025 On-Call Due: Mar 31,
12pm
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Apr 7,
12pm
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025 On-Call Due: Apr 14,
12pm
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025 On-Call Due: Apr 21,
12pm
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Apr 28,
12pm
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025 On-Call Due: May 5,
12pm
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: May 12,
12pm
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025 On-Call Due: May 19,
12pm
TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: May 26,
12pm
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025 On-Call Due: Jun 2,
12pm
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Jun 9,
12pm
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025 On-Call Due: Jun 16,
12pm
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Jun 23,
12pm
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025 Council Recess - No Meeting Due: Jun 30, 12pm
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025 Council Recess - No Meeting Due: Jul 7, 12pm
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2025 Council Recess - No Meeting Due: Jul 14, 12pm
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2025 Council Recess - No Meeting Due: Jul 21, 12pm
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Jul 28,
12pm
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025 On-Call Due: Aug 4,
12pm
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025 Regular Meeting Due: Aug 11,
12pm
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025 On-Call Due: Aug 18,
12pm
UPCOMING ITEMS WITH NO SET DATE
Co-sponsorship Policy Update (GP)
Downtown Waste Management Public & Private Spaces/Enclosures (maintenance and capacity), Visibility in Alleyways (JC) Fee Structures for Fields and Facilities (JC)
Cultural Easements Information (GP)
Old North Davis Neighborhood Association Parking District (DN) Future Uses of 3rd & B Building (BV)
Neighborhood Shopping Center Mixed Use Zoning Amendment Vacancy Tax Analysis Follow-up
Transition Plan for Electrification of Small Off-Road Engines (1/16) Council Policy/Guidelines on statements, resolutions re foreign matters (GP 1/16) Sanctuary City Reaffirmation (GP 4/9)
Discuss tracking and awareness of mental health services (BV 4/23) Discuss next steps in public outreach for General Plan update process (commission role and possible steering committee (BV 4/23) Covell Blvd acknowledgement of actions against Japanese citizens during and after WWII (GP 5/7) Measure J/R/D Exemption Options for Certain Level of Affordable Housing or Other Criteria (BV) Down payment assistance program. Two phases: 1) ordinance, 2) administrative structure. (BV 9/17) 11-19-24 City Council Meeting
06B - 2