Davis Planning Commission Meeting, September 9, 2026

The Planning Commission met on September 9, 2026, to discuss two main agenda items: an update on the Historic Resources Management program and a General Plan Update (GPU) informational item. Commissioners also approved the consent calendar, heard public comments on items not on the agenda, and received brief announcements. Key outcomes included a series of straw poll recommendations for the GPU to guide land use planning and housing targets.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the June 24, 2026 Planning Commission meeting.
• Approved the Commissions Schedule Standardization (moving meeting start time to 6:00 PM).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ning One (public comment on non-agenda items): Expressed views on transgender issues and the use of AI, and raised concerns about historical records and AI robots at elementary schools. Also claimed ownership of properties in Davis and questioned the status of the former Historic Resources Management Commission.
• Marjorie Longo (acting chair, North Central Wild Horse Neighborhood Association): Urged the commission to take a definitive stance against urban development on conservation easement land, citing legal protections under California law and state code 815. Referred to the Denver experience and requested that the commission declare elimination of conservation easements infeasible.
• Other public comments on non-agenda items included a speaker (not named) who raised concerns about affordable housing deed restrictions and MLS listings.

Discussion Items

6A. Historic Resources Management Check-In and Update

• Senior Planner Eric Lee presented an informational update on the city’s historic resources program, including recent activities: installation of signs for the first designated bike lanes (8th Street), preservation of historic sidewalk markings from the Lumber Yard site, demolition review for 509 Third Street (1920s house, not eligible for designation), and certificate of appropriateness (COA) for the Southern Pacific Depot (fire damage repair) and Davis Community Church (administrative office alterations).
• Discussion included questions about the status of the College Park Management Plan (stalled, but interest in restarting), potential historic designation for Rice Lane, and enforcement of historic preservation codes. Commissioner Valencia raised concerns about the lack of enforcement of the “duty to keep in good repair” and incentives like Mills Act (none currently in use).
• Staff noted the CLG (Certified Local Government) status allows grant eligibility for surveys. No action was taken; the item was informational.

6B. General Plan Update (GPU) Informational Item

• Principal Planner Dara Dungworth provided an update on GPU progress: a public workshop is scheduled for October 14, 2026 (6-8 PM at Veterans Memorial), with a survey open October 14-November 13. The draft land use map is being refined; a utility bill mailer and possible Zoom webinar mini-workshop are planned.
• Commissioners Catherine Brinkley, Georgina Valencia, and Alan Bennett (GPU subcommittee members) reported on GPU committee discussions, including requests for data on UC Davis housing (6,266 new on-campus beds, enrollment growth of 2,195 students, 49% of students to be housed on campus), population projections (current 65,000, projected 75,000-82,000 using RHNA calculations), utility infrastructure capacity (8,000 additional dwelling units within current footprint, 18,000 total if expanded), and floodplain considerations.
• Commissioners discussed and held straw polls on several recommendations for the GPU consultants and staff. The recommendations were:
  1. Expand sphere of influence to include all conserved/easement parcels – Passed unanimously (1 abstention).
  2. Widen urban limit line to any place the city provides utilities (e.g., Willowbank, golf course, El Macero) – Passed unanimously.
  3. Consultants to use 200-year floodplain for development analysis – Passed unanimously.
  4. Encourage housing development outside 200-year floodplain – Failed due to lack of consensus (some commissioners felt too prescriptive without updated maps).
  5. Develop a comprehensive flood control/stormwater management plan – Passed unanimously.
  6. Formalize housing unit target of 7,300 units by 2050 – Passed unanimously.
  7. Explore partial decking over I-80 – Passed with one abstention.
  8. Explore expanding city limit south (include parcels up to Putah Creek and into Solano County) – Passed.
  9. Explore expanding city limit north (northwest area near Hwy 113 and Road 29, contingent on comprehensive flood control) – Passed with one opposed.
  10. Recommendation on northeast annexation area – Tabled for further discussion at September 23rd meeting.
  11. Pair all new development with protected bike lanes connected to greenbelt (within three blocks) – Passed unanimously.
  12. Add density on transit corridors to four stories or more – Passed unanimously.
  13. Consider annexing parts of UC Davis campus with student housing – Did not reach consensus; no recommendation made.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved.
• Historic Resources Update: Informational only; no actions taken. Staff to follow up on questions about College Park management plan, historic surveys for Rice Lane, and code enforcement issues.
• GPU Recommendations: The commission passed 10 of 13 straw poll recommendations to guide the land use map and general plan. The recommendations will be forwarded to the GPU committee and considered for the October 14th workshop materials.
• Land Use Subcommittee: Will report back on the northeast annexation area at the September 23rd meeting.
• Long-Range Calendar: Upcoming meetings: September 23rd (regular meeting with GPU subcommittee report and a revised final plan development application), October 14th (GPU workshop, no commission meeting), October 28th (regular meeting). November meetings may be challenging due to holidays. Next GPU committee meeting is December 9th.