Month: November 2013

By Matt Williams

Before a standing room only crowd, the Cannery hearing kicked into gear at 7:40 with a presentation by Mike Webb that “focused on public testimony” and that would include focused elements covering the EIR, Traffic and the plans for the Covell Corridor.

Based on the size of the crowd, I was expecting lots of entertaining fireworks as the evening progressed.  When the dust settled; however, there was indeed plenty of entertainment, but all the fireworks had been defused.

By Lydia Delis-Schlosser

Response to Eileen Samitz’s Op Ed Article last Sunday: Public discussion and vigorous debate are fundamental to the American political process. Analyses from differing perspectives can illuminate a path to reasonable compromises that result in fair, equitable, economically practical solutions. That process becomes subverted, however, when proponents of one view denigrate and disparage others who have legitimate but contrasting ideas.

That, unfortunately, has occurred throughout the past several years of deliberations about The Cannery project proposed for the site of the demolished Hunt-Wesson processing facility on East Covell Boulevard.

by Tia Will

My expertise is not in city planning or disaster management. My expertise is in the area of human health and prevention. From my thirty years in medicine, I do know that one would never design a hospital with only two exit doors, side by side onto a crowded thoroughfare. This is the basic design plan for a community projected to have approximately 1,500 inhabitants.  I have many reasons for not favoring this project. There is only one however, that I believe is both a deal breaker and which may or may not have been adequately addressed.

I do not know the answer, because I have not read the entire EIR. However, I do know that a previous concern I had about the proximity to the north-south rail line with unknown contents of its cars was not addressed in the EIR, nor were any of our city council members able or willing to respond with the answer although two did say they would look into it. This issue was only satisfactorily addressed by one of my neighbors with extensive experience with the railroads. Not an entirely reassuring omission on the part of the city, which prompts me to question what else might be both missing, and essential.

by Nancy Price

As the City Council decision over The Cannery project looms, those who wish to save the mature valley oaks and cedars are making the case that these trees have “value” – a different kind of value than total clearing and leveling of the site to build a project profitable for the developers and to provide specific economic benefits for the city.

It seems to me that implicit in the comments that these trees are mature, from about 50 – 150 or more years, have for years been thriving on their own without any special care or irrigation, have for years provided habitat for various species, and have provide other eco-system functions such as absorbing CO2, is another value – that these trees just have the inherent right to exist as they are. Furthermore, it seems to me that those who want to save these trees are also implicitly making the case that these trees are part of the living commons of nature within the city of which we are the guardians for present and future generations.

In an op-ed this weekend, Mary Jo Bryan, and Don and Merna Villarejo, former members of CHA (Choices for Healthy Aging), note that Cannery “will be the last large subdivision approved in Davis for the foreseeable future” and at 547 planned housing units, “it is large enough to provide something for everyone.”

“Unfortunately,” they write, “after more than two years of negotiations with ConAgra representatives, the owner of the property, and Davis City Council members, an agreement has not been reached to provide sufficient acceptable new housing at The Cannery for seniors or people with a disability.”

By Marc Hoshovsky

The process of maintaining open-space around Davis, and the use of your parcel-tax dollars collected specifically for open space conservation, are more at-risk than I have seen since 2000 (or before).

On October 22, the Davis City Council voted 4-1 (Krovoza dissented, thankfully) to consider using the 391-acre Leland Ranch, purchased in July 2011 with open-space tax funding, as a business park. The Ranch is located on north and east of the Mace Curve in East Davis, where Mace Blvd turns into Covell Blvd.

By Eileen M. Samitz

After a decade of community input, it’s time to move forward: The Cannery project has been  in the planning process for almost a decade, with an unprecedented amount of public input.  The abandoned Hunt-Wesson Cannery site had been dormant for years and needed a new use. Residential housing had encroached on what used to be a factory on the edge of town.  The site was no longer viable for a large commercial development due to having so much nearby residential and inadequate highway access. The City business park viability studies determined that the site was “infeasible” for a tech park.  The Business and Economic Development Commission (BEDC) supported a mixed-use for the site.  Nearby neighborhoods opposed a large commercial park use,  but supported the mixed-use concept.

The Housing Element Steering Committee (HESC) strongly supported this site for housing for many reasons including: 1) it’s an infill site within the city limits, does not need a Measure J vote, and promotes compact urban design; 2) it’s close proximity to shopping, schools, and parks, and 3) it provides an opportunity  for a mix of housing types.  The HESC did not want development of the Cannery site tied to the Covell Village which is on county land outside the City boundaries and therefore subject to Measure J.

Funding Appears to Be in Place for Second Grade-Separated Crossing – Davis’ City Staff is recommending the council approve the Cannery Development Agreement, an agreement that several members of the council have expressed serious concerns about.

“Staff recommends approval of the Development Agreement as presented. The Development Agreement provides funding assurance during the early years of the urban farm and contributes to other community needs, including connectivity, civic arts, sustainability, and parks,” staff writes. “Staff has concluded that the recommended package meets the Council objective of recognizing that the Development Agreement requires mutual considerations and agreement by both the City and the applicant.”

On Tuesday evening there was audible frustration expressed by some in the room about the confining influence of Measure R on the process.  However, if Mace 391 is unable to go through for a variety of reasons, the Innovation Park Task Force recommends three Measure R votes – at Nishi, east of Mace, and west of Sutter-Davis, north of Covell Blvd.

On Tuesday, we saw a clear need for a broader representation in the room and, on Wednesday, we opined that this process will only work if all groups in the community are part of the conversation – including the group that pushed through Measure O and Measure J.

Back in May, the Tree Commission had a special meeting on Cannery.  At that time, it was reported in the minutes, “The project site was tree surveyed in April of 2012. 365 trees were surveyed. Due to tree condition, being located in building footprints, and a new water line installation, 32 trees are proposed for retention. The retained trees are located mainly along the eastern property line and along the existing buffer between the project site and Covell Boulevard.”

The minutes of the meeting indicate that commissioners were concerned that just 9 percent of all trees on the site will be retained.  According to a couple of commissioners who asked not to go on the record, roughly 900 trees would be removed.

The first Innovation Park Community Forum was held on Tuesday.  This meeting washeld to discuss the findings and conclusions of the City’s Innovation Park Task Force and learn more about the options and issues the City of Davis will be considering in taking action to meet the needs of growing  technology businesses.

On Tuesday night, six sector leaders were invited to speak to the Innovation Park Community forum.  The following is video for each of the six speakers with a bio provided by the city.