Preliminary election returns indicate that Davis voters approved Measure W with approximately 73% support, authorizing the Willowgrove development to construct 1,250 residential units on the city’s northeastern periphery pending official certification.
The City of Davis finalized a $1.3 million acquisition of a 217-acre agricultural conservation easement in Solano County, a transaction designed to permanently preserve regional farmland and connect the north and south forks of Putah Creek.
Davis voters will decide Tuesday on Measure W, a ballot initiative proposing the rezoning of 232 acres of agricultural land for the 1,250-unit Willowgrove residential development, a referendum highlighting municipal challenges in reconciling projected housing demands with established land-use regulations.
Davis voters in the November 3 election will decide on Measure W, a ballot initiative authorizing the 1,250-home Willowgrove development. The measure seeks to reconcile the municipality’s housing demands with agricultural preservation mandates.
As Davis voters prepare to decide the fate of the proposed 1,250-unit Willowgrove development under Measure W, the local debate underscores a systemic conflict between agricultural land preservation and compliance with state-mandated housing allocation requirements.
During an October 14 workshop, Davis officials presented a revised General Plan proposal outlining a projected requirement of at least 7,300 additional housing units by 2050 through increased residential density and potential expansion beyond existing city limits.
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.
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.
The Davis City Council is slated to review amendments to its fair housing ordinance on Oct. 20, which would eliminate specific criteria for evaluating reasonable accommodation requests from individuals with disabilities.
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.
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.
Davis residents are scheduled to examine a Draft Revised Land Use and Mobility Map on October 14, as the city progresses with its General Plan Update, a comprehensive initiative intended to establish long-term frameworks for future development, housing, and transportation.
Davis’ critical housing shortage necessitates that UC Davis employees and their families reside in neighboring communities, a situation that contributes to increased traffic congestion and declining local school enrollment. This development occurs amidst arguments from some critics who contend that economic factors, rather than housing availability, primarily deter young families from relocating to the city.
The city of Davis is processing a demolition request for a 121-year-old residence at 509 Third Street, a parcel intended for a 63-unit mixed-use housing development. This action underscores the ongoing policy debate between historic preservation and urban infill, particularly given the property’s lack of historic designation.
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.
The City of Davis will hold its third community workshop on October 14 to present revised land use and mobility maps, a key component of the Davis 2050 General Plan Update, which will determine the city’s growth and development trajectory through the year 2050.
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.