Davis voters will soon decide on Measure W, a ballot initiative proposing the 1,250-unit Willowgrove residential development on the city’s northeast boundary, featuring deed-restricted affordable housing, energy-efficient designs, and infrastructure improvements.
The League of Women Voters of Yolo County formally endorsed Measure W, a November 3 Davis ballot initiative. It proposes 1,250 homes, including 250 deed-restricted affordable units, and secures a $6.8 million developer contribution for housing development.
With the November 3 election approaching, intensified debate concerning Measure W and the proposed 1,250-unit Willowgrove development has brought renewed scrutiny to Davis’ efforts to reconcile housing affordability, economic expansion, and agricultural land preservation.
Ahead of the November 3 election, Measure W—a proposal for a 1,250-home development in Davis—is proceeding with a notably subdued campaign, absent the organized opposition that has historically characterized local growth disputes.
Alan Hirsch issued a comprehensive analysis evaluating candidates and ballot propositions for the November 3 municipal election in Davis.
The Davis City Council approved an agricultural mitigation plan for the proposed Willowgrove housing development, establishing a permanent conservation easement for 374 acres of Bullseye Farms property pending voter approval of Measure W on November 3.
Davis resident Lilly Ottello supports Measure W and the Willowgrove housing project, asserting the proposed 1,250 units—encompassing townhomes, single-family homes, and deed-restricted affordable housing—are vital for establishing long-term residential opportunities for local families.
An updated fiscal analysis by BAE Urban Economics projects the proposed Willowgrove development would generate a General Fund surplus for the city of Davis, though this fiscal outlook remains contingent on the negotiation of property tax-sharing agreements with Yolo County that have not yet been finalized.
Davis city staff recommended approval of at least 374 acres of Bullseye Farms property as agricultural mitigation for the proposed Willowgrove housing development, determining the parcel fulfills municipal technical requirements for land conversion offsets, despite its non-contiguous location relative to the project site.
Former Davis school board member Alan Fernandes advocated for voter approval of Measure W and the Willowgrove development, contending the initiative would address housing deficits for families, workers, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, thereby aligning with the city’s stated commitment to inclusion.
Measure W and the proposed Willowgrove development in Davis are encountering notably limited organized opposition, a significant departure from the historically contentious land-use campaigns that have characterized previous Measure J/R/D elections. Proponents argue that the measure’s approval is essential to demonstrate the viability of the city’s voter-approval system amidst increasing state housing mandates.
Michael Warnken advocated for a substantial expansion of the Davis City Council’s membership through the establishment of additional, smaller districts. This proposal, he contended, would enhance both representation and accessibility for constituents, directly countering suggestions for a return to at-large electoral systems.
Elaine Roberts Musser and Dan Carson, proponents of Measure W, assert that the proposed 1,250-unit Willowgrove development addresses state housing mandates for the City of Davis, concurrently providing essential affordable housing units, infrastructure improvements, and community amenities.
Senate Bill 1164, currently awaiting gubernatorial signature from Governor Gavin Newsom, proposes substantial revisions to the California Voting Rights Act. This legislation could provide a mechanism for jurisdictions, including Davis, to transition from single-member district elections to alternative citywide electoral systems, such as proportional ranked-choice voting, particularly in contexts addressing minority vote dilution.
Davis’s shift from at-large to district elections has demonstrably reduced candidate competition and voter participation. This electoral system change, intended to broaden engagement, has instead prompted concerns regarding its effect on local democratic vitality.
Proponents of Measure W contend that the proposed 1,250-unit housing development in Davis provides a substantial allocation of affordable and attainable residences, coupled with developer-financed traffic infrastructure enhancements, prior to the upcoming November ballot initiative.
Supporters of Measure W formally launched their campaign Wednesday, advocating for the Willowgrove development, a proposed housing initiative slated for the November 3 ballot. Proponents assert the project would address Davis’ housing deficit through the provision of affordable units, new recreational facilities, and fiscal benefits.
Davis voters are slated to consider Measure W in the forthcoming November election, a ballot proposition designed to amend the city’s General Plan for the purpose of authorizing the construction of the 1,250-home Willowgrove community.
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.
Measure V has incrementally reduced its deficit in the ongoing Yolo County election count, narrowing the gap to 416 votes in the latest update. However, the proposed Village Farms development initiative requires approximately 52.6 percent of the estimated 8,000 outstanding ballots to secure passage, a threshold exceeding its recent performance.