In the News

January 6, 2009

Davis City Council unanimously approves staff's Schedule of Lewis (Cannery Park) Site Processing timeline. The timeline defines the key processing components for the EIR, a rigorous multi-departmental staff review of the Cannery Park mixed-use proposal, and public outreach to commissions and the community. Staff will additionally conduct a city business park land needs assessment detailing options and strategies for meeting future business park needs over the next 20-25 years.

The Cannery Park project review and environmental impact report preparation are to be completed in November 2009 for the Davis Planning Commission and City Council to hold public hearings and take final action on the Lewis application to rezoning the property. The council directed staff to complete an equal weight EIR analysis to more fully define the environmental impacts of an all-business park option for the entire site so as to better understand how those impacts could be reduced or mitigated by various land use scenarios. The staff report outlining the processing steps and timeline can be found on the city's website as a PDF.

December 15, 2008

City Staff completes and distributes an RFP for a consultant to prepare the EIR for Cannery Park. The RFP outlines an equal weight analysis of the impacts of the entire site being developed as Business Park, as well as the review of the mixed-use Cannery Park development proposal.

December 11, 2008
Davis City Council to host North/Central Davis Town Hall Meeting at Vets

Land Use and Development will be just one of the subjects as the Council moves to the Veterans Memorial Center Theatre on Thursday, December 11 for a 7 p.m. meeting. The Council will seek public input and discussion on community issues, including Cannery Park, Grande Subdivision and Nugget Fields scheduled in Item 1 on the agenda. Unlike a traditional Council meeting, this meeting will not include prepared staff reports or scheduled Council discussion. Any discussion will depend on the interest and input of the public in attendance. The agenda is posted on the city's website.

The Council's December 2 decision to prepare a dual project environmental impact report (EIR) analysis has generated considerable press during the past week. Lewis looks forward to the ongoing public dialogue now that staff has been formally directed to proceed in a deliberative fashion to complete the EIR within a one-year timeframe.

December 2, 2008

It's decided. City Council votes to process the current mixed-use Cannery Park proposal by starting the EIR, but… with the inclusion of an "equal weight" analysis of an All-Business Park plan. The council identified a one-year timeframe for the dual project EIR. The purpose of an EIR is to provide the community with comprehensive information on a proposal before taking any final action to rezone the property.

A memorandum prepared by Davis City Manager, Bill Emlen recommended this "two-pronged" approach to include a comprehensive review of the current status of the property through a full “equal weight” EIR Analysis of an All-Business Park project, as well as a review of the current Cannery Park mixed-use proposal. Emlen argued that insufficient information is available for determination that a 100-acre business park is not appropriate or viable for the site and that the property should ultimately be rezoned to allow for a mixed-use neighborhood. Council directed staff to prepare and return with a detailed timeline for completing this work within the identified one-year timeframe.

Before the vote, sixteen (16) members of the public provided commentary. Eleven (11) speakers advocated the City move forward with the Cannery Park proposal, citing that the project as proposed is a distillation of a long process with great community input in its design. The idea of going ahead with the mixed-use plan that would target housing for the workforce appears to resonate with many. Advocates for the 1/3 Business Park and 2/3 Residential mix that would provide families the opportunity to own a home sent another positive message to Council members. One speaker supported waiting until the City adopts a new general plan before moving forward with the Cannery Park application. Others expressed frustration with a city process that has delayed and distracted from a timely and comprehensive review of the Cannery Park mixed-use plan.

The motion prepared by Stephen Souza and seconded by Mayor Ruth Asmundson passed 4:1. The full motion reads:

Determine that there are sufficient questions regarding the appropriateness of the current zoning in light of build out of the city around the site since it was established and potential future development in vicinity, to warrant a comprehensive review of the current status of the property.
Find that the best strategy to call the question while retaining elements of a comprehensive approach would be a two pronged process strategy that includes:

Evaluation, refinement and processing of the mixed use project concept proposed by Lewis or some variation thereof.
Have city staff working with other parties to prepare a full business park alternative plan for the site.
Initiate City sponsored public outreach efforts with focus on the immediate neighborhood; and discussions with UCD and representatives in the tech sector regarding future business park land needs.
Conduct an equal weight EIR analysis that evaluates the impacts of both the Cannery Park mixed use and Business Park Use concepts with specific land use designation of non residential uses.
Ask staff to conduct a more detailed analysis of options and strategies for meeting future business park land needs in light of current build out rates, including but not limited to retaining the current zoning and the potential use of the Lewis site for other uses.
Direct staff to prepare a detailed timeline for completing this work; return to Council to adopt the timeline; make a strong commitment that the city will adhere to a one year timeline.

November 19, 2008

Cannery Park takes to the airwaves with its message. Vanguard Radio Tonight host David Greenwald interviews Ken Topper and Jeanne Jones about the mixed-use proposal for the former tomato cannery site.

During the hour-long program, David asks about the current plans and why a mixed-use neighborhood with 20 acres of Business Park/Office and 610 homes is best-suited for the site. The Lewis representatives explained the Business Park Viability Study for Cannery Park and the basis for the consultant's conclusion that a 100-acre High Tech Park is infeasible for this location. The compelling reason cited in the study is the 39-year build-out projection based on the historical absorption rates of business park/office land in Davis. A 14- to 17-year build-out is generally considered to be at the limit of feasibility according to ESG, the city's retained consultant to conduct the Viability Study.

Much of the hour was spent answering many of the same questions that the 15-membered General Plan Housing Element Steering Committee wrestled with as part of its year-long review of 37 sites potential sites for housing in Davis. Why is the Lewis site well-suited for housing? How does one plan for this site and the neighboring property so future transportation connections are not precluded and adjoining land uses are sensitive and flexible to accommodate existing or future uses?

The audio recording is available at www.kdrt.org

November 16, 2008

The Davis Enterprise says "It's time to call the question. The issue: Cannery Park deserves a chance to start its project through city approval process." The editorial board of the Davis Enterprise writes "While it is premature to take a stand on the project, we urge the City Council to move forward with the process." On December 2, the City Council "…could decide to initiate its own community outreach meetings, host public hearings, or commission an environmental impact report."

The Enterprise also writes "An EIR would look at all the impacts of the project, from air quality to increased traffic to effects on existing businesses and the city's budget. Only after that nine- to 12-month process is complete could the City Council approve the project – or deny it. But after what would be at least five years, doesn't Cannery Park deserve to come out of limbo?"

November 12, 2008

The Davis Planning Commission meets to provide a formal recommendation to the City Council prior to December 2 hearing to discuss the "key policy questions" and provide staff direction on the next steps in Cannery Park's application review process. The Planning Commission was asked by staff to review the Business Park Viability Study that was prepared for the Lewis (Cannery Park) site and discuss the key policy questions that staff has identified. In their report to the Planning Commission on November 6, staff recommended that the Planning Commission direct the applicant to redesign the project to increase the proposed Business Park/Office land use to a minimum of 40 acres.

During public comments, the commissioners heard strong objections to such a significant change by numerous people living in the surrounding neighborhoods. Support for the Lewis mixed-use plan shaped by the extended community outreach efforts was also cited. As a result the commissioners reject staff's recommendation to redesign the plan and move to address the applicant's balanced Business Park/Office and Residential plan for Cannery Park.

By a 4:2 vote, the commissioners formally recommend that the City Council direct staff to move forward the Lewis Cannery Park mixed-use proposal "as is" with 20 acres of Business Park and Residential. Next steps in processing are EIR preparation and public hearings at various city commissions for review and action.

September 24, 2008

Lewis Planned Communities Supports "Yes on W" Fall Campaign

Ken Topper, Community Development Director presents a check for $1,000 to the "Yes on W" campaign organizers during a fundraiser held at the home of Maureen and Hil Brode in Lake Alhambra Estates. Surrounded by campaign co-chair Janet Berry, school board member Richard Harris and Superintendent James Hammond, members of the community rally support around the campaign's life preserver. This is the second Measure W campaign contribution made by Lewis Planned Communities to support Davis schools at the ballot box and fund educational opportunities for Davis children. For further information and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.YesW.org.

Please vote "Yes" for Measure W on Election Day, November 4.

Davis schools are the Davis community!

September 22, 2008

BEDC members identify that "It's clear that a mixed-use plan is the appropriate model to move forward" at a joint meeting with the Davis City Council

The Davis City Council and the Business and Economic Development (BEDC) commission jointly meet to accept and review the Business Park Viability Study prepared for Cannery Park by the city of Davis at Lewis' expense. The council originally directed staff to prepare the study on October 23, 2007. The contract with the city's consultant, Economic Strategies Group (ESG), was authorized by the council in March 2008 with a June 2008 planned completion date. After a slow start, the study was completed on September 4, 2008, and is currently available on-line as a PDF at www.cityofdavis.org.

At the September 22 joint meeting of the city council / BEDC, Michael Conlon of ESG provides the council and commission members with a brief presentation outlining the study's findings followed by questions and discussion by the joint council/commission body.

In the two-and-a-half hour meeting, members of the council and BEDC hear that a High Tech/No Residential business park only scenario is infeasible due to an identified 39-year buildout. They also hear that a basic business park with 862,000 square feet of building area and creating 2,586 jobs with no commensurate housing would "build out in 14 to 17 years, a time frame that is a long, long time and is at or beyond the normal holding period for a landowner." Also discussed is the consultant's conclusion that the existing Planned Development Industrial zoning on the property is confusing and acts as a barrier to potential developers.

City staff prepared their report for the joint meeting outlining some of the study's key conclusions. In their report, city staff also provide the joint body with key policy questions identified for future analysis and consideration. Lastly, staff indentify their intention to embark on the following next steps in the review of the Cannery Park application:

City-led community outreach (with a focus on land use, site layout, and circulation).
EIR preparation (RFP, define project, define project alternatives, begin EIR preparation).
Public hearings at various city commissions for review and action prior to city council consideration of the project.

The city's full staff report for the joint meeting can be downloaded as a PDF.

At the conclusion of the presentation during a question and answer period, several members of the community address the joint body. Eileen Samitz urged the members to consider the Lewis plan with its mix of uses. She also acknowledged the extensive outreach already completed and then spoke about the role the community has played in helping to define the Cannery Park mixed-use proposal that includes housing. She urged the joint body to not dismiss these efforts and told the members that the public was expecting housing at the Hunt-Wesson site. Another neighbor from west of the property also encouraged the consideration of a mix of uses at the Cannery site as opposed to a 100-acre business park only project. Several other audience members encouraged the members of the city council and BEDC to thoroughly consider the "size and character" that would be appropriate for a Business Park in a community such as Davis.

Commissioners Alan Fernandes, Anthony Costello, Greg Phister, Bob Agee and Sydney Vergis agreed that a broad range of housing and jobs should be considered for the 100-acre (66 net acres) site. While commissioner Anissa Nachman thought more weight should be given to the business side, the commissioners agreed with their fellow members that it's clear that mixed- use is the appropriate model to move forward. "A superior way to go with this parcel," said chair Alan Fernandes. Echoing Fernandes' conclusion, commissioner Bob Agee reinforced that "Work/life balance is the nut of the issue."

The joint body ultimately agreed that staff had identified the key policy questions to be considered as the evaluation of the Cannery Park proposal proceeds. No additional policy questions were identified or provided by council or BEDC members. These policy questions can be found in the staff report online.

Although the BEDC members expressed uniform support that a mixed-use plan should be considered for Cannery Park, the commissioners decided to continue their discussion and be prepared to vote on a formal recommendation to the Davis City Council at their next meeting on October 27.

The city council members decided that the discussion of the policy questions identified by staff and agreed to by the joint body will be scheduled for a future city council meeting. It is not clear which, if any, of the staff intended actions identified in the staff report can continue prior to the council meeting. At the meeting's conclusion, Mayor Ruth Asmundson indicated the need to prepare answers to the key policy questions and schedule a council discussion of the identified policy areas soon.

More comments with a review of the meeting by writer Claire St. John of the Davis Enterprise is available here.

September 12, 2008

Save the Date – April 2-5, 2009 for Emerson PTA Carnival at Cannery Park

Planning is underway for Emerson PTA and Lewis Planned Communities to join in hosting and sponsoring another fun, fundraising Carnival at Cannery Park in 2009. The event dates of April 2 through April 5, 2009 are set. Butler Amusements is scheduled to again provide a wide variety of carnival rides and midway games for the community to enjoy.

Emerson PTA President Frances McChesney thanked Lewis Planned Communities again for the use of the Lewis site for the Carnival this past April. That Carnival event raised $25,000 for junior high school programs in west Davis.

July 29, 2008

Davis City Council votes to purchase the Lewis Deep Water Well

The city moves forward to purchase the deep water well on the Lewis-Cannery property for $1.87 million. The city has been using water produced by the well since its completion and start-up in June 2007.

In 2005, the city and Lewis entered into an agreement to construct a deep water replacement well at the Lewis-Cannery site. The agreement enabled the city to lease the well upon completion and to also purchase the well outright. Water had previously been purchased in the summer months by the city from the former owner, Hunt-Wesson. When Lewis purchased the property in 2004 and evaluated the existing well's operation, they structured a new agreement with the city to replace the existing failing well and continue to provide water to the residents of Davis.

The council authorized City Manager, Bill Emlen, to execute the water well agreement with Pole Line Road Holding Company, LLC (Lewis) and exercise the option to purchase the well site, the well and continued access to the well.

Lewis thanks the city of Davis, specifically the members of the Public Works Department for their cooperative efforts in helping Lewis complete construction of this valuable new well for Davis!

July 22, 2008

Davis City Council holds Workshop on Recommendations of the General Plan/Housing Element Steering Committee, Planning Commission and Staff

Staff introduces and provides background to the council members in their second look at the recommendations of the General Plan Housing Steering Committee as well as those new recommendations made in June by the Davis Planning Commission. The approach outlined in a July 22 staff report to Davis City Council, and recommended by the planning commission and staff includes continued processing of two existing development applications for sites identified as "yellow light" – Lewis Cannery and Wildhorse horse ranch properties. Download General Plan PDF (large file).

As part of the background information provided to the council, staff notes that housing construction in recent years (including second units) has been rapidly dwindling from 250 units in 2005 to 104 units in 2006 and only 44 units in 2007. The first half of 2008 has seen a total 14 housing units constructed in Davis. The Davis Enterprise reported for these years that the number of single-family new house construction building permits accounted for 51 units in 2005, 38 units in 2006 and 28 units in 2007 of the city's overall housing construction.

Staff conducted the hour-long workshop before council opened the session for brief public comments. A draft resolution to direct city staff to implement, with modifications, the recommendations of the General Plan/Housing Element Steering Committee will be discussed and likely voted upon by the Davis City Council sometime in November.

June 19, 2008

Davis Planning Commission considers list of 36 potential Housing Sites

Development proposals for two sites on the list – the Lewis Planned Communities site at the former Hunt-Wesson cannery at Covell Boulevard and J Street, and the horse ranch property east of Wildhorse – were submitted to the city before the General Planned Housing Element Steering Committee was formed and began its work. City staff recommends that the processing of these two development proposals should continue in a set of extensive General Plan/Housing Element Update recommendations to be forwarded to the Davis City Council. The commissioners agreed with staff's rationale to continue processing the Lewis Cannery Park application because it is a relatively large site currently in the city not used for agriculture and can provide a mix of housing types to meet housing needs. The planning commission also votes to support staff's recommendation to retain the Lewis Cannery site as the top "yellow light" site with its #21 ranking.

Also supported by the planning commissioners is staff's recommendation to remove the ranking numbers from the 20 "green light" sites and treat them "as a group for which development applications may be processed."

Another key steering committee recommendation supported by the planning commission and staff is to plan for "the Lewis site with thoughtful consideration to circulation and land use compatibility with the adjacent Covell Village site, even though the Covell Village site may or may not be approved for future urban use." The committee previously and unanimously agreed on an 11 to 0 vote that land uses and edge conditions can provide compatibility with any future adjacent land use(s) that could occur, including continued agricultural operations; and that the planning for the Lewis Cannery site should be able to stand alone and not be delayed by a Measure J vote.

To review the extensive staff report and modifications by the planning commission to the site rankings made the city council appointed steering committee, please view the staff report PDF. The entire steering committee report may be viewed as a PDF as well.

May 15, 2008

Cannery Park at Celebrate Davis!

Fireworks explode over the Davis Chamber of Commerce's tent as Lewis Planned Communities enjoys its third year in support of this wonderful event in Davis' Community Park. The fifth annual festival drew an estimated 7,000 people who braved the heat and the wind to browse through 154 booths representing local retailers, service providers and nonprofit agencies; have dinner; and listen to the Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh, Music Matt and Cold Shot.

Ken Topper, Community Development Director for Lewis Planned Communities and Davis planning consultant, Jeanne Jones had the opportunity to connect first-hand with many members of the Davis community. Once again, the event provided ample opportunity for Lewis to answer questions about the plan for Cannery Park and listen to the thoughts of community members.

Along with the presentation of a revised land use plan submitted to the city last December, Lewis polled booth visitors about their support of a thorough review of the Lewis Cannery Park site rezoning application, including the required environmental impact review. Many visitors took time to complete postcards pre-addressed to the Davis City Council by checking off their preferences from a list of uses as currently proposed for this smart and compact mixed-use neighborhood.

Lewis continues to provide educational materials and encourage broad public discussion of the company's plans to develop its 98.4-acre vacant site in the city. Efforts to identify community interests are now being expanded with the launch of this new post card campaign.

April 22, 2008

City Council and Planning Commission receive the General Plan/Housing Element report

The Davis City Council and Planning Commission come together for a joint meeting to receive the General Plan/Housing Element Steering Committee's report on 36 potential housing sites in and around Davis that were considered by the citizen committee. Steering Committee representatives (Kevin Wolf, Chair and Mark Siegler, Vice-chair) and staff presented the steering committee's final report and recommendations. The steering committee had previously ranked Lewis-Cannery Park site #21 out of a total 37 sites regardless of size, existing use or need for Measure J citizens approval. The committee additionally recommended Residential Medium Density with a range of 500 to 776 units on 46.2 acres of the 98.4-acre property.

Members of the Davis General Plan/Housing Element Steering Committee unanimously voted in March to approve a set of recommendations developed during discussions at 25 steering committee meetings between February, 2007 and March, 2008. The approved "Study and Identification of Potential Housing Sites in Davis" completes the mission of the committee as established by the city council – "to guide the development of a 2013 General Plan/Housing Element update and make recommendations to the Davis Planning Commission and City Council."

The Steering Committee recommends that "the Lewis site should be planned, at a minimum, with thoughtful consideration to circulation and land use compatibility with the adjacent Covell Village site, even though the Covell Village site may or may not be approved for future urban use."

The Cannery Park proposal by Lewis Planned Communities includes 610 medium density homes on 45.3 acres along with a 1/3 of the developable site area (20.3 acres) as job-creating Business Park/Office land use. The remaining 32.8 acres of the site includes 11.8 acres of Public Roadways and 21.0 acres of Public Dedicated Open Space/Park, Wildlife Habitat Corridors, Storm Water Landscaped Swales and Native Plant Gardens.

April 10-13, 2008

Families flock to former cannery for Emerson Carnival

The Emerson PTA has a great time bringing the first carnival to Davis since 1971. PTA co-Presidents Gustavo Soberano and Frances McChesney said they wanted a local and family friendly event. An estimated 15,000 adults and children from the community turn out to share snow cones, win midway game prizes and take turns riding the Cliff Hanger, Zamperela, Voyager Rocket, Scrambler and a dozen more carnival attractions. Thanks to the generosity of carnival goers, the Emerson PTA raised about $25,000 through ticket sales to pay for books, computers and classroom needs at their school.

Lewis Planned Communities, which donated the use of the Cannery Park site, assisted in advertising and furnishing of banners, donated staff time and undertook additional steps to clean-up the vacant site and ensure the safety of carnival visitors.

Emerson Junior High School was threatened with closure due to proposed state budget cuts and declining enrollment. Shutting the aging and under-enrolled campus in west Davis would have saved $600,000, officials said. But the Emerson PTA led by co-Presidents Gustavo Soberano and Frances McChesney, organized opposition to the closure and helped persuade the trustees of the Davis Joint Unified School District to take a year to weigh their options before closing the high-performing and well-liked neighborhood school. The move brought a temporary sigh of relief to Emerson families.

April 8, 2008

The Carnival is coming to town at Cannery Park!

Lewis Planned Communities is pleased to welcome this fun event hosted by the Emerson Junior High School Parent Teacher Association. The carnival will feature about 20 rides from Butler Amusements, the largest carnival company in the Western United States. It starts on Thursday, April 10th and will run for four days.

APRIL 10 - 13
Thursday 4 - 10pm
Friday 4 - 11pm
Saturday 11am - 11pm
Sunday 12 noon - 10pm

The carnival is sponsored as a fund-raising event by the Emerson Junior High School PTA.

We are pleased to support the Emerson parents' effort to raise funds for school programs by providing the former cannery site's expansive parking areas for the first carnival Davis has seen since 1971.

Please come by, have fun, and help support the PTA's efforts.

March 20, 2008

Lewis Planned Communities acknowledges and thanks the citizens who volunteered numerous Thursday evenings as members of the Davis General Plan Housing Element Update Steering Committee. Over the past 13 months during 26 committee meetings and two community workshops, Chair Kevin Wolf, Vice-Chair Mark Siegler and members - Lucas Frerichs, Jay Gerber, Pam Gunnell, Mike Harrington, Donna Lott, Eileen Samitz, Ellen Shields, Maynard Skinner, Mark Spencer, Kristin Stoneking, Bob Traverso, Norma Turner and Luke Watkins have contributed a significant amount of their time to identify and study potential sites for housing in Davis.

Under the leadership of Chair Kevin Wolf and Vice-Chair Mark Siegler, the committee that was appointed by the Davis City Council in February of 2007 produced a set of Overarching Goals and Housing Location Principles [see page 59 of the final Steering Committee report] for use in evaluating the most appropriate sites for future housing. The committee diligently worked to review and rank 37 sites that they identified as being suitable locations for housing. The Lewis Cannery Park site was included in the committee's recommendations. The committee also outlined various site strategies and suggestions for the path of future housing in Davis.

Lewis also acknowledges that this citizen planning process was successful due to the leadership and hard work by City of Davis Principal Planner Bob Wolcott, the Davis Housing Programs Manager Danielle Foster, the project consultant Jeff Baird, as well as various additional key city staff. It was a superior collaborative effort by all.

A job well done!

The final Steering Committee report can be reviewed on the city's website www.cityofdavis.org under Current Issues, General Plan / Housing Element Update, Attachment.

On April 22, 2008, The City Council and City Planning Commission will hold a joint meeting to receive the report and recommendations of the General Plan / Housing Element Update Steering Committee. After questions of Committee members and staff, public comments will be received. The meeting will be broadcast live on Channel 16, the government channel and via streaming video from the city's website.

March 18, 2008

In a unanimous vote, the Davis City Council approves a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement between Economic Strategies Group (ESG) and the City of Davis to prepare a non-residential feasibility analysis for the Cannery Park site.

On October 23, 2007, the Davis City Council voted unanimously to contract with a consultant to study the future viability of either all or a portion of the 100-acre cannery site for non-residential uses. Previously, in 2003 the Davis City Council passed a motion to require a non-residential feasibility analysis when an applicant requests conversion of land use from non-residential to residential.

The Cannery Park proposal includes the proposed rezoning of the 100-acre property from Planned Development (Industrial) to a mixture of zoning that will allow for the development of a mixed-use neighborhood that includes approximately 20 acres of business park/office (225,000+/- square feet) of job- creating opportunities, 21 acres of parks, greenbelts, open space, and just over 45 acres of medium-density residential for a wide variety of “for sale” homes for phased build-out over 5 to 7 years.

At a cost of $45,000 to be paid by Lewis Planned Communities, the consultants work will include the following:

Non-retail commercial real estate analysis of the regional and submarket areas to determine the type and rate of development that might occur with the site context and market conditions
Regional economic overview including a summary of regional net absorption by year for office, R&D/flex, and industrial uses
An “industry needs matrix”
Identification of the competitive strengths and weakness of the local submarket, submarket real estate trends and recommended market segments with particularly good prospects for the local submarket
Submarket land supply, land availability and cost
Identification of whether the supply of land in the submarket is sufficient to meet future demand over the timeframes outlined
City of Davis “Capture-Rate” and site analysis
Allocation of growth to Cannery Park over the next 15 to 20 years in five year increments
Comments on an overall mix of non-residential development on part or the entire site

The report is expected to be completed in June.

March, 2008

Lewis Planned Communities retains Colliers International to market the 100-acre cannery property. The current mixed-use proposal for Cannery Park includes over 20 acres of business park/office opportunities, which could generate around 225,000 square feet of new job-creating space. The goal of this marketing effort is to find potential business/high-tech users interested in locating to Cannery Park. This effort includes a search for users that would fit within the context of the proposed 20.3+/- acre business park/office component of Cannery Park, a larger user that could still be incorporated with some modifications to the plan, and any potential user that could purchase and use the entire site under its current Planned Development (Industrial) zoning.

March 13, 2008

The General Plan Update Steering Committee approves a special site strategies plan for the 98.4-acre Lewis Cannery site in consideration of the adjacent 383-acre site formerly known as Covell Village. [see page 28 of the final Steering Committee report]

February 5, 2008

City posts its Preliminary Draft of the Results of General Plan Housing Element Workshop #2 held on January 24, 2008.

The city summary shows that the public most frequently suggests moving the Cannery site to a "High" ranking category. Seventy percent of the forty-six citizen comments involving changes in the site ranking of the Lewis - Cannery site suggested ranking the site "High" for potential housing rather than the "Medium" as identified by the members of the General Plan Housing Element committee last November. A summary report with all the workshop results is posted on the city's web site under documents for the Community Workshop #2 on January 24, 2008.

The focus of Community Workshop #2 hosted by the city of Davis and attended by 150 community members was to obtain community feedback on: (1) important principles for evaluating potential housing sites; (2) the Steering Committee's initial ranking of housing sites; and, (3) overall strategies and directions for housing. Attendee responses of new housing near downtown, maximizing infill with a greater emphasis on moderate income housing and attached/smaller housing, and allowing increased densities along with protecting agriculture were most frequently suggested directions for new housing in Davis.

The most frequently suggested reason for the ranking change to "High" of the Lewis-Cannery site was that "it's inside the city limits and is ready for development" as summarized by city staff.

Other frequent and positive comments with regard to the Cannery site include:

"High demand for housing and affordable housing isn't available in Davis. Lewis offers a good plan with potential for more units than other sites…"
"It's vacant and ready to go as mixed use. Can provide significant middle income homes that we need"
"Close proximity to downtown and shopping"
"It is not too far from shopping and downtown, it is less sprawling. I hear industry does not want to locate there"

January 17, 2008

The city of Davis posts the revised land use plan and supporting documents for Cannery Park on its website.

Some 60 members of the Davis community join host Lewis Planned Communities in the Holmes Junior High School multipurpose room for a neighborhood informational meeting… "What's New" for the old cannery site. The evening community meeting begins with an hour-long PowerPoint update by the Lewis planning team members.

Primary improvements to the Cannery Park vision include an increase in the job generating Business/Office use to 20.3 acres with up to approximately 250,000 square feet of new opportunities for business and high-tech users; a more efficient circulation system reducing the area of paved roadway by 5 acres; an increase in area dedicated to Parks and Open Space with relocation of the neighborhood park to the eastern edge; northern and eastern perimeter channel/buffer increases with additional focus on improved pedestrian/bicycle connections; the inclusion of a "central spine" feature for enhanced pedestrian/bicycle connectivity. No changes were made to the proposed diversity of housing types or to the proposed number of 610 new homes in a mixed use land use plan.

New to the traditional Lewis style of outreach meetings was their hosting of a series of workshop stations in addition to the plan presentation and extensive Q&A. The stations provided attendees with a more in-depth opportunity to meet individually with members of the planning team and exchange ideas.

The spontaneous exchange of ideas at the six workshop stations that featured Land Use Choices, Traffic & Circulation, Neighborhood Character, Parks & Open Space, Natural Resources and Growing Smart was particularly beneficial. Lewis will be reviewing all the written comments provided at each station. The planning team anticipates using public comments during collaborative discussions with the city as they plan together for a city-led Cannery Park site outreach effort in the spring.

January 2, 2008

Lewis launches Cannery Park website to enhance public communications and build awareness of plans to develop the former 100-acre cannery site on East Covell Boulevard. Developed and designed by Studio66 located in Davis, California, this new site introduces the family-owned Lewis Group of Companies that intends to develop the new master-planned mixed use community.

The website features project and site history, project details and frequently asked questions. Web-based opportunities to learn what's in the news, communicate with your Davis City Council Member and share comments with the project team about Lewis' plans for "growing smart" allow the public to easily stay engaged throughout the planning and entitlement process for Cannery Park.

December 20, 2007

In response to council's October direction to formally begin processing the Cannery Park application proposal, Lewis Planned Communities formally submits a revised land use plan with supporting materials to the city and the city begins the technical review of the proposal. Twenty-one members of the city of Davis representing the city manager's office, community development, public works, housing, parks and community services, finance, police and fire come together to hear principal planner Mike Webb's update on the status the Cannery Park development application. Staff also listens to a brief presentation from the Lewis team explaining the revised Cannery Park development proposal.

November 30, 2007

The city of Davis issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) to find a qualified consultant to prepare a feasibility analysis of potential non-residential development on all or a portion of the Cannery Park site. The analysis is a study of the market prospects and economic feasibility of the redevelopment of the property as directed last month by the Davis City Council. Consultants have until December 21st to respond to the city's request.

It is anticipated that a consultant will be selected and begin work shortly after the holidays. The analysis and preparation of a final report will take approximately three months to complete.

November 29, 2007

Members of the General Plan Housing Element Steering Committee use the identified "Overarching Goals and Housing Location Principles" to complete their overall ranking of thirty-seven potential housing sites using two size categories: those smaller than 25 acres and those larger than 25 acres. Of the eighteen sites larger than 25 acres that were reviewed, the Cannery Park site ranks second only to the 27-acre PG&E Service Center site. The Cannery Park and PG&E Service Center sites are the only sites larger than 25 acres which are both located within the current city limits and are NOT subject to a Measure J citizens vote. However, the PG&E Service Center site is currently the utility's regional service center and home to some 400 employees. According to initial findings by the staff and the committee, a feasible plan for the relocation of this existing center would be needed as well as an evaluation of possible contaminants.

October 23, 2007

The Davis City Council votes to allow the processing of Cannery Park to begin. By unanimous vote (5-0), the council directs staff to commission preparation of a non-residential viability study for the site to help determine the most appropriate and viable amount of Business Park land use for the nearly 100-acre site. With a vote of 4-1, the council also directs staff to begin collaborative community outreach with Lewis and begin the technical review of the Cannery Park proposal. Additionally, the council voted unanimously not to begin the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process until technical review and evaluation of the non-residential viability study are complete. Lewis begins working closely with staff on the next level of outreach to engage the community in the on-going visioning process for Cannery Park.

September 25, 2007

Lewis Planned Communities sends a letter to Davis City Manager Bill Emlen requesting that the city consider removing the "on-hold" status placed on the Cannery Park application in February 2007. The formal application for Cannery Park was submitted to the city in November of 2006, however the review process was put "on-hold" until selection of the "Preferred Alternative" by the city's General Plan Housing Element Steering Committee was complete. The "Preferred Alternative" is the identification, prioritization, and grouping of appropriate sites for new housing for the 2006-2013 time period.

The selection of the "Preferred Alternative" was originally identified as occurring in July-August 2007; however, the current timeline shows that the "selection" will likely happen in late spring of 2008. With the Steering Committee's initial positive evaluation of the Cannery Park site as an appropriate location to consider for new housing, Lewis requested that the "hold" status be removed so that the important process of community outreach could continue. This activity would enable the city and Lewis to gather feedback and provide them with opportunities to further refine the vision for a new neighborhood in the best tradition of Davis.