Elections

Davis Voters Appear to Reject Measure V, Blocking Village Farms Development

By David M. GreenwaldJune 13, 202645 comments

According to the latest unofficial results released by Yolo County, Measure V, a ballot initiative proposing the Village Farms development north of Covell Boulevard, appears to have been defeated. The measure, which sought to amend the city’s General Plan to allow up to 1,800 housing units on agricultural land, garnered 11,181 votes in favor against 11,451 opposed, resulting in a 270-vote deficit. This outcome, with a 1.2 percentage point gap, marks another defeat for a peripheral-growth housing proposal under Davis’ Measure J framework, despite being one of the closest such contests in the city’s history.

Davis’s Measure V Outcome Hinges on Thousands of Uncounted Ballots

By David M. GreenwaldJune 3, 202614 comments

Measure V, a voter referendum concerning the proposed Village Farms development in north Davis, remained narrowly behind in early election returns, according to the latest update from Yolo County election officials. With thousands of ballots yet to be processed, the outcome remains uncertain for the measure, which seeks voter approval for a residential community of up to 1,800 housing units on approximately 498 acres of agricultural land.

Op-ed | Village Farms: Too Big, Too Many Impacts, Costs and Unaffordable Housing 

By Eileen SamitzMay 31, 20264 comments

The Village Farms project, a proposed 1,800-unit residential development spanning 498 acres in Davis, California, has drawn scrutiny over its potential implications for traffic, housing affordability, and environmental safety. Opponents contend the development, situated near a 200-acre FEMA floodplain and adjacent to a former landfill, would exacerbate congestion with an estimated 15,000 daily car trips and fail to provide adequate affordable housing, prompting calls for its reconsideration.

Letter: Mutual Housing’s Davis Affordable Housing Claims Contradicted

By David ThompsonMay 31, 20260 comments

Mutual Housing of California received an $8.4 million subsidy from the City of Davis for the 69-unit New Harmony affordable housing project. Applying this per-unit subsidy rate indicates that a 360-unit development, such as the proposed Village Farms, would necessitate a city contribution of approximately $44 million. This financial projection contrasts with Mutual Housing’s assertion that the Village Farms project can be realized with a $6 million developer investment.

Letter: Teachers Warn of Davis School Closures as Enrollment Plummets

By Brooke AgeeMay 29, 202625 comments

The Davis Joint Unified School District is weighing the closure of two elementary schools and potentially a junior high school, a measure prompted by significant declines in student enrollment. District officials attribute this trend to falling birth rates and the area’s high housing costs, which has implications for state funding tied to student numbers.

Letter: I Did Not Endorse Measure V

By Rena NayyarMay 26, 202610 comments

A Davis educator has publicly stated her inclusion on an endorsement list for ‘Yes on Measure V (Village Farms)’ occurred without her knowledge or authorization. The individual has consistently opposed the proposed development, citing specific concerns related to potential environmental health hazards and the project’s failure to adequately address affordable housing requirements.

Op-ed | Why a Cannery Mom Is Voting Yes on Measure V: We Shouldn’t Pull Up the Drawbridge

By Katharine Dooley-HedrickMay 16, 20268 comments

Measure V, a ballot initiative in Davis, California, is presented as a strategy to enhance community accessibility and attainability for families, building upon the city’s established reputation as a desirable location for family rearing. Advocates contend that the measure would concurrently stimulate economic vitality, thereby fostering a healthy and resilient local economy.

Op-ed | Village Farms Davis: Why I Differ with Councilmember Deos

By Greg RoweMay 14, 202614 comments

Councilmember Linda Deos endorsed the Village Farms Davis project, though questions persist regarding the developer’s definitive commitments to grade-separated crossings and the preservation of a 47-acre alkali playa wetland habitat. Initial project proposals indicated conditional participation in funding grade-separated infrastructure and planned residential development within the wetland area, despite historical evidence documenting its ecological significance. Subsequent project revisions, influenced by planning commission directives and biological assessments, incorporated these features, yet provisions within the development agreement suggest potential mechanisms for the developer to mitigate financial responsibility for these elements.

Judy Ennis Launches Campaign for Davis City Council District 1 Seat

By David M. GreenwaldMay 9, 202613 comments

Judy Ennis, founder of the Davis Community Action Network, has announced her candidacy for the District 1 seat on the Davis City Council in the November 2026 election, focusing on housing affordability, economic resilience, climate preparedness, public services and rebuilding trust between residents and local government.

Op-ed | Measure V Is a Very Bad Idea

By Glen HolsteinMay 8, 20261 comments

The Village Farms consortium is attempting to fast track a housing development in Davis, California, despite evidence of toxic groundwater contamination and the presence of endangered species, leading to concerns about the potential health risks to future residents and the environmental impact.

Op-ed | Why I Changed My Mind on Village Farms

By Bapu VMay 2, 20266 comments

Davis City Councilmember Bapu Vaitla voted in favor of Village Farms’ affordable housing proposal after the developer made a commitment to build 280 affordable units, 80 moderate-income homes, and 100 units if necessary, as well as dedicating over half of the development’s acreage to parks, greenbelts, habitat, playfields, and urban agriculture.