(From press release) Minority Leader Schumer, as chair of the Democratic Caucus in the Senate, broke with the vast majority of his caucus to allow a GOP funding bill to advance, without any restrictions on the ongoing efforts from Donald Trump and Elon Musk to dismantle the federal government. Indivisible Yolo issued the following statement:

Under Senator Chuck Schumer’s Leadership, Senate Democrats just surrendered a rare moment of leverage to rein in the chaos and harm of Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Congressional Republicans. By voting to advance the GOP government funding bill, rather than demanding anything in return, Schumer handed more power to the extremists destroying the government. This was not just a strategic mistake – it was a demonstration that Schumer is not prepared to lead the Democratic opposition to fascism and protect our democracy. We thank him for his years of service, and call on him to step aside as minority leader.

After working hard throughout 2024 to flip Republican Congressional seats in California, including playing a key role in the razor-close win in nearby CA-13, Indivisible Yolo members were shocked and dismayed by the November results. We quickly pivoted to resisting the fascist Trump agenda however we could.

Specifically, we contacted our Senators many times to urge them to use the leverage provided by Senate rules – particularly the filibuster which had been used against progressive legislation so often in the past – to avoid or mitigate the damage caused by Republicans. We are very grateful to Senator Padilla and Senator Schiff for recognizing the stakes and voting “no” on March 14. Despite a “no” vote by nearly 80% of the Democratic caucus, Senator Schumer surrendered to the Republicans and thereby authorized nine other Senators to vote yes. We feel cheated by the losses we suffered due to the filibuster being used against us in the past, and betrayed by Senator Schumer’s refusal to use the filibuster when we needed it to save democracy. The first branch of government now is merely an advisory body and we are deprived of our democratic representation while being subjected to the tyrannical oppression of the Trump administration.

By Alan Hirsch

Below is the core of Caltrans press release issued Wednesday 3/12 at 3:28pm announcing postponement of the Eastbound 50 Freeway in West Sac closure for this weekend. They say indefinitely—but it could be forever as they may figure out how to do the pavement rehab work while keeping some of regular 3 lanes up.

But if they reschedule total closure another weekend later in March, drivers will have to contend traffic from with opening of the A’s and River cat baseball season to Sutter Health Park.

This will may push out the work… and could conflict with the schedule to begin work to widened i-80 with toll lane- which is set to begin just next month. The Toll Lane construction work - Phase I of it-- will continue into 2028.

For previous articles on evolving (potential) freeway closure, click here , here2.and here3. 

Note the bike lane will also be continue thru Monday 3/17 next week- but could go longer as Caltrans notes unhelpfully “weather permitting”.

Editorial: This indefinite postponement could be due to pushbacks to Caltrans from local city council members and state representatives- after receiving calls from constituents. We will likely never know.  It is strange the freeway closure was not announced or discussed during YoloTD board meetings even though Caltrans was present - only in public comment. One wonders, for example, if there will be a total west bound closure too.

Double Bridge-Freeway shutdown to hit West Sac

By Alan Hirsch, Yolo Mobility

Seen Friday in West Sacramento at the tower bridge

Both US 50 freeway in West Sac and the Tower Bridge look to be 100% shut down for periods this coming weekend. Combine this with likely congestion on Jefferson  blvd  entrance to 50 where freeway reopens, this could be a perfect storm for residents of West Sac who may not be able to leave their neighborhoods due to cut-thru Freeway traffic congesting local streets, a detour Caltrans suggests for freeway drivers in its press releases. Caltrans press release seems unaware the Tower bridge will also be shut for a charity event both Saturday and Sunday AM until 1pm.

As reported previously here and here are reprinted Caltrans press releases reporting, east bound highway 50 freeway will be closed in West Sac from the 50-80 split at Enterprise Blvd to Jefferson Blvd. This beginning next Friday 3/14  at 9pm thru Monday, and opening only Tuesday 3/18  at 5am. This is for Caltrans pavement rehab work and is not related to widening to add the I-80 Yolo toll lane, whose construction is yet to begin. The press release seems to indicate east bound drivers can still go north on I-80 at the split to Natomas.

(note- as told to me Monday night at YoloTD meeting, US 50 shut it may yet be put back again to another weekend-—when it will conflict with Baseball season openers at Sutter Health field.)

By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch

About 1500 people attended the science rally Friday March 7th at the Sacramento state capitol — 1/3 carrying unique home made signs. Who says scientists are not creative?! Evidence of people from UC Merced, Sac State, government agencies and of course UC Davis.

Davis’s Beth Bourne seemed the only counter protestor. She was escorted off capitol grounds to the street side sidewalk by CHiP officers because of her disruptive chanting.

Commentary by Heather Caswell with Jonathan Greenberg

Our decision to threaten the City of Davis with a class action lawsuit on behalf of members of the Downtown Davis Business Association (DDBA) was not made easily, or quickly. For years, an organization that was created to support the interests of hundreds of dues-paying businesses has instead been co-opted to support controversial political positions promoted by the Davis City Council, as detailed below.

As stated in the California Supreme Court’s landmark 1976 Stanson v. Mott decision, a “fundamental precept of this nation’s democratic electoral process is that the government may not ‘take sides’ in election contests or bestow an unfair advantage on one of several competing factions.”

This means that it would be illegal if the Davis City Council, even indirectly, allowed a special tax dedicated to promoting the interest of downtown businesses be used to promote political speech benefiting city council positions on public initiatives.

We believe that this is what the DDBA has done,  through an unaccountable board of directors, which holds its power through irregular and potentially illegal elections

The DDBA has done this through an un-accountable board of directors, which holds its power through irregular and potentially illegal elections. Fewer than 10% of the organization's members voted in the January 23 election that I ran in. Three quarters of the dozens of DDBA businesses that I spoke to never received email notifications of the election. Not a single one was notified by the organization that they could run for its board. And at a time when all DDBA Board meetings are held over zoom, members, for no good reason, were required to vote in person within a one hour period, instead of online, at their convenience.

When Ezra Beeman and I ran to help create a more responsive board, the existing board members and the DDBA Executive Director colluded to change the election rules at the last minute, while they selectively recruited other former board members to show up to run or vote against us. Without any mention during the board meetings prior to the election, they added four seats to the seven member board two days before the election (the DDBA website today still states that they are a seven member board). They then delayed the printing of ballots for three days to print them just hours before the election, so that the names of their friendly candidates could be included.

EB US 50 Closed Friday 3/14 9pm to Tues 3/18 5am

(Weekday Causeway Bike Path closure also)

By Caltrans & Alan Hirsch  

Released Wed. 3/5 begin: “Caltrans is alerting motorists that this weekend’s extended connector closure for the ongoing Yolo Interstate 80 (I-80) and U.S. Highway 50 (US-50) Pavement Rehabilitation Project has been postponed (emphasis added) because of the weather forecast for rain and cold temperatures. The work has been rescheduled for the following weekend.”

AH Annotation #1: What Caltrans means to say is US 50 east bound in West Sac from I-80 split to Jefferson Ave will be 100% closed Friday 9pm thru Tuesday 5am 3/14 thu 3/18- a week later than stated in previous press release. Please use local streets in West Sacramento instead. “expect delays”. (see below)

AH Annotation #2: The Yolo Causeway bicycle path also is scheduled to be closed all next week for repair work. Caltrans are not- but should be  --providing a bus “bike bridge” for that period. They bury this in press release.

AH Annotation #3: This was announced late last week for this weekend but has been delayed by a decision of Caltrans and contractor.  That this will cause a major inconvenience to local residents & Tahoe traffic – who are likely planning their life around closure. This closure will also cause cut-thru traffic on local streets in all three Yolo County cities. Caltrans is even suggesting drivers use local street in West Sac as alternative to the 3 lane freeway. See below.

AH Annotation #4. If you think Caltrans is treating public cavalierly, write “Chair and member, Yolo Transportation District board (YoloTD) and tell them at link below. Public has complained to board in the past about lack of information from Caltrans on I-80 construction. YoloTD gave Caltrans $100million to”fix” i-80 in May of 2024. clerk YoloTD [email protected]

Attorney Roger Dreyer Calls Out the City’s Failure to Take Responsibility Until the Last Minute

For Immediate Release: Kellie DeMarco

Woodland, CA — After a Yolo County jury unanimously found the City of Davis fully responsible for the tragic death of Jennifer Comey, a wife and mother killed by a falling tree limb in a city park sandbox next to her toddler, the City immediately pushed out a carefully crafted press release in an effort to control the narrative. But here’s what they aren’t telling the public.

For four years, the City of Davis denied responsibility, instead blaming private contractor DRG Inc. for the tragedy. It wasn’t until one week before trial ended—a clear PR stunt—that the City finally admitted fault while continuing to point fingers at DRG. However, the jury saw through the City’s tactics and ruled unanimously (12–0) that DRG was not responsible in any way. Instead, the jury held Davis 100% accountable for failing to inspect and maintain its own trees.

“What was most impressive about this case is that the jury was not distracted by the misleading tactics of the attorneys for the City,” said Roger Dreyer, attorney for the Pitts family. “They focused on the devastating loss this family has endured. This jury’s decision was a remarkable demonstration of how citizens do their job for the public.”

THE FACTS THE CITY WON’T SHARE

Expect cut thru traffic in Davis, Woodland, West Sac

By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch & Caltrans

Official Caltrans map routing Freeway Traffic onto local streets in West Sac

The essence of Thursdays Caltrans press release is simple, but its repercussions to hundreds of thousands of people are wider ranging: “I-50 east bound to Sacto in West Sacramento will be 100% closed (after the split) for 3 1/2 days, from Fri. 3/7 9pm to Tues. 3/11 5am.

Its impacts will be felt by hundreds of thousands of travelers- including Sac airport users from Yolo/Solano now facing congestion on I-5 causeway, workers on Monday, and of course Tahoe vacationers on Friday & Saturday. Those dependent on the bus will also be affected:

80,000 cars cross the Yolo causeway-- each direction -- every day.

There will also be an impact on local travel inside Davis, West Sacramento, and Woodland.  Local residents can expect cut thru traffic delays as, traffic is likely to backup over the causeway deep into Davis and traffic will cut up Pole Line and 113 and backup the I-5 Causeway to the airport as has happen on other occasions. And of course south Mace in Davis will likely be effected.  West Sac travel on West Capitol and Industrial & Jefferson will be “affected” as they parallel the closed freeway section- as will Yolo buses that use this segment.

(From press release) Are you passionate about the environment and eager to make a difference in your community? The Community Mercantile in Davis, California, is looking for dedicated volunteers like you!

Join Us in Our Mission

At the Community Mercantile, we believe in the power of reuse and recycling. Our goal is to divert items from the waste stream and give them a second life, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability. We need community-minded individuals who share our vision and are ready to contribute to this important cause.

How You Can Help

(From press release) On March 7, 2025, scientists, students, advocates, and community members across the country will rally to defend science as a public good and a cornerstone of social progress.

Stand Up For Science 2025 is a national day of action calling for robust, interference-free scientific research and policies that ensure science serves everyone. In Washington, DC, state capitals, and cities around the country, people will gather to advocate for continued government support for science, defend against censorship, and push back on attacks against diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in research and education.

The Sacramento area is participating!

Event Details:
📍 Where: Sacramento capitol building (west side)
📅 When: Friday, March 7, 2025, 12 - 4pm PST
🌍 Who: Scientists, advocates, and anyone whose life is better because of science

For additional information and forthcoming local rally details, visit www.standupforscience2025.org or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stand-up-for-science-2025-sacramento-ca-capitol-mall-west-side-tickets-1250788625449?aff=oddtdtcreator

The following comments were emailed by the Sierra Club Yolano Group to Dara Dungworth, Principal Planner City of Davis Department of Community Development, on Feb 25. 2025, concerning the Village Farms DEIR. (See https://www.davisite.org/2025/02/draft-eir-for-village-farms-released-for-public-comment.html).

1. Alternatives
   
   a) Recommend Consideration of Co-op Housing - Evidence suggests that a housing co-op model can provide stable, affordable workforce housing for individuals and families (see California Cooperatives: Today's Landscape of Worker, Housing and Childcare Cooperatives). Providing affordable local housing for people currently commuting to Davis from outside Davis will lessen the VMT and GHG emissions impact of this project and should be considered as an effective mitigation measure.
   
   We recommend that the FEIR analyze as a Project Alternative a co-op model (perhaps similar to Dos Pinos or Muir Woods) as a supplement to the proposed starter-home program to explore the environmental benefits that such a model could produce.
   
   b) Recommend Consideration of Alternative Only Below Channel A - On December 8, 2023, the County of Yolo Planning, Building, and Public Works Departments sent a letter to the City of Davis commenting on the Village Farms NOP which stated, "The Draft EIR should consider a reduced footprint alternative that defines the northern project boundary south of the existing Davis Drain and explores the opportunity for increased density, thereby maximizing housing options without compromising economic returns". Quoting from Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14: "Because an EIR must identify ways to mitigate or avoid the significant effects that a project may have on the environment (Public Resources Code Section 21002.1), the discussion of alternatives shall focus on alternatives to the project or its location which are capable of avoiding or substantially lessening any significant effects of the project, even if these alternatives would impede to some degree the attainment of the project objectives, or would be more costly. "
   
   We similarly recommend that a reduced footprint alternative be examined with its northern project boundary south of the existing Davis Drain to determine if building 1,000 or more units on such a reduced footprint can provide increased density and maximize housing options while preserving more trees and habitat and still meeting project objectives.

By Alan Hirsch

Tuesday, Davis city’s  “trial of the decade” begins to wrap up with closing arguments - and the public can watch the drama of three sets of polished lawyers via live-stream from home.

The issue is liability for the city killing a woman to through neglect of a city tree in a Slide Hill City park. The city of Davis and Davey consultants are defendants. Plaintiffs are the survivors of Jennifer Comey. She was killed by a tree limb in front of her three-year-old daughter by tree that overhung a sandbox—  the city could not provide any evidence of pruning or inspecting the tree during the trial.

 The Jury verdict may be  delivered before the weekend.

You can watch the drama in closing argument on Tuesday on line. The Jury will files in at 10:30-sharp. It will run until noon,

 You can attend dept 11 at yolo court house in person, or you can watch live stream at www.yolo.courts.ca.gov  Dept 11.

***
I have watched this slow motion tragedy unfold in city government as the “self-appointed Lorax” for over 15 years now. Previous generations of Council was advised  by top management they can cut funding maintenance of tree infrastructure. They were advised they could ignore the public comments of concern on this matter.

Even as everyone could see the city arborist was struggling to do his job.

The current council and community are now stuck with cleaning up the mess.

 The entire city hall chain of command who advised council and managed the city into this situation have now moved on- or with Mike Webb now leaving, have announced they soon will.

 Current Davis-and Yolo residences (thru YCPARMA risk pool) will be held liable to pick up the tab that will total some multiple of the tax increase we noted on ourself last November. 

(From press release) Soroptimist International of Davis is accepting applications from local nonprofit organizations for a chance to share profits from its next Soup Night & Silent Auction.

Soup Night & Silent Auction is one of Soroptimist International of Davis’ largest fundraisers. It includes popular soups from local restaurants, salads, breads, desserts, local beer and wine, live music, and a silent auction. This year’s event is Thursday, Oct. 23 at Veterans Memorial Center in Davis. Last year, about 150 attended, and the club anticipates that number to grow.

Each year, the club offers one local nonprofit the opportunity to partner with it in this endeavor. This organization should align with the Soroptimist mission, and must agree to support the event by:

• Providing publicity through its mailing list and social media.
• Providing at least 12 volunteer hours (minimum six people, two hours each) during the event.

The partner organization will receive:

• 20 percent of the net profit (estimated to be $3,000 but possibly more).
• The opportunity to bring visibility to your organization by tabling and speaking at the event.

The applications are available at https://www.sidavis.org/community-partnerships/partnership-application/. To apply, submit the completed application by April 15 to SI Davis, PO Box 472, Davis, CA 95617 or email to [email protected].

There are many immigrants throughout the country who have become frightened for their future due to recent changes in immigration policies.  Many of us are concerned about the impact of Trump’s new policies on our immigrant neighbors. We share Yolo County with a large number of immigrants and their families, and their contributions to our economy, agriculture, labor force, and rich diverse cultures are significant.  

Please join us for “Immigrants at Risk-What You Can Do” to learn about the current immigration enforcement, how it is affecting our immigrant neighbors and how we can assist them during this stressful time.  The program will be on Monday, February 24 from 7-8:30 pm and is open to the public.  The evening will include a multi-speaker panel discussion covering the legal landscape, hearing firsthand from local immigrants and the director of a refugee center in Sacramento. The program is sponsored by the Social Justice Committee at Congregation of Bet Haverim along with support from Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network (YIIN).  Please register in advance here. The event will be at Congregation Bet Haverim at 1715 Anderson Road in Davis. The program is free, and donations are helpful to cover the costs.  Any questions can be directed to John Katonah at [email protected]. 

By Eileen M. Samitz

The Village Farms Draft Environmental Report (DEIR) was released roughly a month ago and the deadline for public comment is coming up soon on Tuesday Feb. 25th at 5pm. It is important to submit your comments and any concerns now to City Staff member Dara Dungworth at [email protected]. The City weblink to the DEIR is at https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/community-development/development-projects/village-farms-davis where you then click on the CEQA section.

The Planning Commission held a meeting to hear comments from the commissioners and the public on the Village Farms DEIR on February 12that Community Chambers. The outcome of the meeting was that the planning commissioners expressed many concerns and about the inadequacies of the Draft EIR.  Likewise, the majority of the more than 50 public commentors pointed out inadequacies of the DEIR and rejected the project for many reasons that have been raised before. (See weblinksbelow.) A majority of the commissioners and some public commentors also asked for an analysis of a “reduced footprint” alternative of a downsized project to be added to the DEIR, similar to one included in the Covell Village DEIR by the same consulting group.

Many of the Village Farms issues and problems have been raise in an earlier Op-ed:

https://www.davisite.org/2025/02/title-village-farms-deir-is-inadequate-project-would-bring-massive-impacts-and-costs.html

Yesterday, Part I of this article covered a number of the Planning Commissioners comments:

https://www.davisite.org/2025/02/planning-commission-and-majority-of-public-commentors-strongly-criticize-village-farms-project-and-d.html

The following is a summary of the numerous Village Farms issues, followed by some of the comments from Davis residents with concerns about the project and its Draft DEIR voiced at the Planning Commission meeting.

Many Village Farms concerns and issues 

- Village Farms is the largest project ever proposed in Davis for 1,800 housing units on almost 500 acres, but it has the same problems, and more, as its predecessor Covell Village that was voted down 60:40 by a Measure J vote in 2005.

- the 200-acre flood plain and the fundamental planning principle thathousing should not be built on an enormous flood plain like this due to flooding risks, particularly a massive amount of housing and the added issue of climate change. This is a FEMA Zone A, a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).

-the toxics and chemical contaminants including PFAS carcinogenic “forever chemicals” and high levels of manganese also exceeding MCL’s,coming from the adjacent unlined Old City landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant into the groundwater.

-soil toxics including toxaphene and lead in high levels in the area where the large Heritage Oak Park is to be located.

-lack of safe access issues for bicyclists and pedestrians including the possibility that there would not be any grade-separated crossing. TheDEIR states that is uncertainty about the “feasibility” of the Pole Line undercrossing. Village Farms has no access to the west because of the railroad tracks, no access from the north due to the Old City Landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant, and no ability for an underpass or overpass (south) at Covell Blvd. due to existing infrastructure. Now, in additionthere is uncertainty of the feasibility of a Pole Line Rd. under-crossing to the east (likely also due to existing infrastructure.) 

-traffic impacts are already enormous at Covell Blvd. and Pole Line Rd.and adding 1,800 housing units there would only exasperate the situation with gridlock. In turn the gridlock would impose health and safety impacts from idling car exhaust and particulate matter deteriorating air quality, and increase greenhouse gases. 

-Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) is not a realistic metric to use for Davis. It makes the false assumption that higher density housing will result in more use of public transportation by the residents. This is a fallacy, particularly when Davis has an inadequate and inconvenient public transit system that is designed primarily to serve UC Davis needs, not the community’s needs. The City has no plans to significantly expand its transit system, andfurthermore you cannot expect or force people to use public transit to try to reduce car use.

-952 trees being cut down and the destruction of habitat for endangered species, and also that trees help control flooding since they draw on a large volume of water.

-inadequate protection of the vernal pools which have the endangeredspecies of Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp and the very rare native plant species of Astragalus tener var. tener and Extriplex joaquinana.

-tearing up and re-routing Channel A destroying trees and habitat which also increases flooding potential, particularly to existing nearby neighborhoods such as Wildhorse. Will this increase flooding risk force north Davis residents to need to get flood insurance?

-risks of the carcinogenic PFAS “forever chemicals” contaminated groundwater mixing with the Channel A runoff water. This can occursince groundwater levels periodically rise from less groundwater being drawn down due to surface water use, and climate change is causing more frequent heavy rain events. The project plans to re-route the channel creating new deep sections, potentially allowing the contaminated groundwater to mix with the channel runoff water. In turn, this contaminated channel runoff would flow east through Wildhorse exposing those residents, and ultimately to the wetlands. It would be catastrophic if the wetlands were contaminated and other connecting waterways.

-traffic, road damage, and air pollution impacts from the need to move ONE MILLION CUBIC YARDS of UATA soil with high levels of arsenic to try to fill the massive 200-acre flood plain. This would take 100,000 dump trucks moving soil down Pole Line Rd., which was just re-paved. Imagine adding 100,000 dump truck trips to the already heavily impacted Pole Line Rd. traffic? Air quality would likely be impacted as well due to the soil dust from so many trucks moving his massive amount of high arsenic level soil.

-the 118-acre UATA (Urban Ag Transition Area) “dig pit” would result creating a huge crater-like 10’ deep hole that could have runoff from the adjacent unlined Landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant collect in it and soak into the ground further contaminating the groundwater. 

- unaffordable housing due to the majority of the Village Farms homesbeing at least $700,000 -$800,000 with a significant number of the homes costing over $1 million.

-liability to the City due to the risk of flooding and potential health impacts from the toxics and other chemical contaminants exposure to the public.

-enormous infrastructure costs including an un-needed new fire station that would cost Davis residents many millions to build, staff, equip, and operate long-term. Since 90% of the Fire Department calls are medical and only 10% are fire related, we don’t need a new fire station. Instead, an emergency medical service is what makes far more sense and for a fraction of the cost. An emergency medical service would have such a small foot could be located almost anywhere in East Davis. 

-the serious inadequacy of the Village Farms DEIR due to the absence of so much information and details needed, including the lack of sufficient alternatives with lesser impacts than the primary project proposal as CEQA requires. An analysis of a reduced footprint alternative developing only below the channel was needed as well, downsizing the number of units significantly and preserving the vernal pools. CEQA states that “The Guidelines require that the number of alternatives be limited to those that would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project (Section 15126(d)(5).”

Public commentors with major concerns and criticism of the Village Farms project and its DEIR

Nicholas Pinter, a Professor of Applied Geosciences and Wildhorse resident called in his  comments regarding the potential flooding issues due to Village Farms and downstream to Wildhorse. “ I have concerns about the design and impacts of the Village Farms project.  My primary concern at this time is the effects of the project on downstream hydrology.  Having reviewed the draft environmental impact report (DEIR), I fear that this analysis, its hydraulic modeling, and other elements of the DEIR may significantly underestimate downstream hydrologic impacts.  Potentially including significant additional flow volumes and higher water levels in the Wildhorse neighborhood and elsewhere.  I recommend independent hydraulic modeling of the impacts of the Village Farms project.  

The DEIR notes that mitigation efforts will be designed and implemented in the future, but no details are provided nor any specific timeline for the design or implementation of these mitigation measures.  This is not acceptable.  I recommend that the city of Davis and its residents insist on detailed engineering designs that prove full mitigation of downstream hydrologic impacts; mitigation to the standard recommended by the Association of State and Federal Flood Plain Managers (ASFPM) and others which requires “zero adverse impacts.”

Last, and more broadly, the proposed Village Farms development involves large-scale relocation and reengineering of the current stream channel and flood plain system.  This raises many additional questions and concerns.  I leave you with a quote from ASFPM.  “Future developments should avoid high hazard and ecological sensitive areas.  State and local government should guide development away from these areas by applying land use management techniques.  This is the most effective way to minimize cumulative losses.”  

Jim Flannigan explained how there was a glaring deficiency in the DEIR of a reduced footprint alternative analysis for the project to be located entirely below Channel A.  This is to avoid building on the 200-acre flood plain and distance the housing far from the unlined Old City Landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant.  He pointed out that the Yolo County Dept. of Community Service also recommended the DEIR analyzing this reduced footprint, as did he and other citizens during the only City Council meeting addressing the Village Farms DEIR alternatives in Dec. 2023. 

Susan Rainer, an architect specializing in green planning, commented on the massive loss of trees and that tearing out 952 trees was ecocide. Also, that trees actually help prevent flooding by absorbing water, so removing them would contribute to flooding. She emphasized potential City liability due to toxics exposure the residents.  She also stated her support for the DEIR analyzing a reduced footprint alternative.

Retired Cal Trans traffic engineer and former Planning Commissioner Dapo Okupe said that the idea of adding 1,800 at Covell Blvd. and Pole Line Rd. could not possibly work since we do not have the infrastructure to support the massive traffic resulting. He made clear that vehicle miles traveled (VMT) does not reflect the real impacts of traffic. (Note: This is particularly true for Davis having such a minimal public transit system focused primarily on UCD needs, so car usage will not be significantly reduced as VMT assumes.)

David McGlocklin also raised his concerns about the loss of the 952 trees and the habitat impacts. He also spoke to the many impacts and costs that the project would bring and potential City liability. He supported the analysis of a reduced footprint alternative also.

Liz Reay stated that the project has already been voted down by the Davis voters and it has come back after 20 years to haunt us.  She also said that the developer has had 20 years to figure this out but the many problems of the project have still not been resolved. She pointed out potential liability to the City regarding the toxics issues from the adjacent unlined Old City Landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant.  Also, the possibility of home owners needing to get flood insurance due to flooding potential.

Chris Carter brought up how the project with all its impacts made no sense and as a bicyclist that more car traffic at Covell Blvd. and Pole Line Rd. would make those roads even more dangerous. He did not want to get killed trying to travel on his bike there. 

Wildhorse resident Margie Longo, gave a detailed explanation of existing drainage conditions at Wildhorse and how the DEIR did not address the flooding potential that the Village Farms project would cause the Wildhorse neighborhood. She also supported the analysis of a smaller footprint alternative that was needed for the DEIR.

Cannery resident Andrew McElrone explained the many concerns that the Cannery neighbors had regarding the ability of the City to plan and oversee this project. The Cannery has had many problems with failed construction workmanship.  There is much concern about the massive traffic impact that would funnel Village Farms traffic west through the Cannery’s already impacted Cannery traffic circle. 

Former Planning Commissioner Nancy Price explained the health impacts of carcinogenic PFAS “forever chemicals” leaking from the unlined Old City Landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant that needs to have a minimumof a 1,000 ft. buffer zone to distance the housing from the landfill.

Dr. Glen Holstein, a biodiversity specialist, commented on the inaccuracies of the DEIR on the habitat issues, and the fact that the mitigations were not sufficient to protect some of the rarest plants and invertebrate species in the world. He stated the need for better protection of these rare vernal pools on the Village Farms site and that he could not support the project. 

Sharon Montooth emphasized the lack of safe access issues for bicyclists and pedestrians at the busy intersection of Covell Blvd. and Pole Line Rd. particularly for children. She had great concern about the loss of so many trees and impacts on the wildlife, particularly endangered species like the Swainson’s Hawk. She also raised concern about the toxics from the unlined Old City Landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant.

Vijay Kumar, a professional civil engineer for 35 years, explained a stunning analogy that the estimated ONE MILLION CUBIC YARDS of soil that the project DEIR says it would need to move. This would be the equivalent of filling the Super Bowl Stadium with soil 600 feet high. He had never encountered a residential project professionally that had to move that much soil. (It is notable that this UATA “dig pit” soil  has high levels of arsenic above MCL’s to try to fill in the enormous 200-acre flood plain. This would likely cause air quality impacts as well from the soil dust.) He added that there is no reason to allow annexation of the UATA “dig pit” site.

Dave Bakay expressed that the project traffic impact predictions were unrealistic and how vehicle miles traveled (VMT) was not logical as a metric. It makes no sense to claim having 2,700 units is better for VMT than 1,800 to reduce impacts. He raised the lack of access to the project from the west and the north, and their related safety issues for kids especially. He supported analysis of a reduced footprint alternative.

John Keller emphasized the importance of CEQA and that climate change needs to be taken into account with our City planning. 

Calli Garritson, a Cannery resident, called in her many concerns about the toxics, potential flooding, lack of safe access , the DJUSD’s overly-optimistic assumptions that Village Farms would bring a significant number of school children. She was especially concerned about the street that Village Farms plans to put through to the Cannery traffic circle which would pave through the Cannery urban farm, and cause major traffic and safety issues.   

La Buena Vida resident  Roberta Stuart also called in her concerns that the traffic impacts from Village Farms would exacerbate an already excessively impacted roads (Pole Line Rd. and Covell Blvd.).  

Judy Feldman of Covell Farms called in comments enumerating the many Village Farms impacts including concern about the toxics, flooding potential, access issues, the habitat impacts and that none of these impacts were being adequately addressed by the DEIR.

I attended, and also commented on many of the summarized issues (above) particularly the toxics, floodplain and flooding issues, traffic, and infrastructure issues and costs and the need for the DEIR to analyze a downsized version of the “Reduced Acreage Environmentally Superior Alternative” from the Covell Village Draft EIR of building only below the channel, with the modifications of preserving the vernal pools and downsizing the number of housing units significantly to a more reasonable number.

Summary 

The comments from the Planning Commission and the majority of the public commentors were clear, that the Village Farms project proposal has a plethora of problems which are not addressed adequately by the DEIR. The DEIR was rushed to accommodate the developer’s desire to get his project to a Measure J/R/D  vote quickly. Village Farms has all the same problems and more, than its predecessor Covell Village which is why the project was rejected by Davis residents.

The fact is, the Village Farms site is seriously handicapped site with a massive 200-acre flood plain and flooding risks, significant toxics issues including PFAS carcinogenic “forever chemicals” leaking from the adjacent unlined Old City Landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant, habitat destruction, enormous infrastructure costs, lack of safe access for bicyclists and pedestrians due to existing infrastructure impeding the ability to add undercrossings or overcrossings, massive traffic that would exacerbate the already heavily impacted Covell Blvd. and Pole Line Rd. roads by adding 1,800 units and in turn the gridlock of idling cars exhaust would impose health and safety impacts, and the majority of the project having unaffordable housing for the incomes of average local workers and families. 

For residents with concerns regarding the Village Farms project, please submit your DEIR comment before Tuesday, Feb. 25th at 5pm. For more information regarding the many Village Farms project issues, please contact Citizens for Responsible Planning at [email protected]. 

— Eileen Samitz is a former Davis Planning Commissioner and served on the city of Davis 2001 General Plan Update land-use committee and the subsequent Housing Element Update Committee.

By Eileen M. Samitz

The Village Farms Draft Environmental Report (DEIR) was released roughly a month ago and is required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) law to circulate to allow public comments to be received in writing and verbally at public meetings. Last Wednesday, Feb. 12^th the City of Davis Planning Commission meeting agenized comments and discussion from the planning commissioners, and allowed the public to voice their comments.

The outcome of the meeting was that the planning commissioners expressed significant concerns and had much criticism of the Draft EIR as well as raised other issues regarding the project.  Likewise, the majority of the more than 50 public commentors, both in person and by recorded voicemail, disapproved of the project for many reasons that have been pointed out before (see previous article link below.) However, a majority of the commissioners and some public commentors wanted to see an analysis of a “reduced footprint” alternative, similar to one included in the Covell Village DEIR by the same consulting group.

By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch

On February 23, 2021, a mother, Jennipher Comey,  was struck, pinned down and killed  by a failed city tree that stood beside the  sandbox in Slide Hill Park in east Davis. As also reported in the Enterprise Sunday, the event occurred  in front of her 3 year old daughter Marjory.   Two weeks ago, after four years, the city admitted its inadequate tree care, and thus liability. This admission only seems to have occurred after an under-oath deposition by the former city arborist of the time. Robb Cain. He stated there was no city record of this tree ever being pruned in past, no current plan to ever inspect it for safety- or any future schedule to even do any routine tree maintenance  pruning in the Slide Hill Park.  This according to Davey Resource Group lawyer, a codependent in the case and the company the city hired to do the city’s $250,000 urban forest master plan (UFMP) later in 2021.

In contrast, professional arboriculture “standard of care” practice calls for paying heighten attention to trees that overhang a children’s play area or picnic tables- as the fallen one did.  Slide Hill Park’s trees were ignored, not even on the city’s minimal 7 year “block pruning” cycle street trees get according to Davey.

The delay in admission meant the city seems to have made no payment to support the family over the last four years since the incident. During that period the now orphan girl and her surviving father left Davis and moved to Ohio to be near family for support not received in Davis.

Original Village Farms proposal but showing locations of the Old City Landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant, Channel A, and the UATA site.

By Eileen M. Samitz

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) has been released for comments on Village Farms, on a parcel outside city limits, is the largest project ever proposed for Davis with 1,800 units on almost 500 acres. The DEIR was rushed and is inadequate since it’s missing  important details and makes unwarranted assumptions and conclusions.

The project has a multitude of problems primarily because it is a seriously handicapped land parcel. The site’s serious issues include a 200-acre flood plain, being located adjacent to the unlined Old City Landfill and Sewage Treatment Plant with a long history of leakage into the ground water of toxics and other chemical contaminants (now including PFAS “forever chemicals”), enormous traffic issues already at Covell Blvd. and Pole Line Rd., access issues because it cannot be accessed from F St. due to the railroad tracks and there’s questionable feasibility of a Pole Line undercrossing, massive impacts on habitat, and enormous costs of the infrastructure and services needed.

The following was emailed to [email protected] and [email protected] on Feb 7, 2025 with a request that the memo be forwarded to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors

From:  Alan Pryor, Chair – Sierra Club Yolano Group
To:       Yolo County Planning Commissioners
Date:   February 7, 2025
Re:       The Gravel Mining Companies Operating Adjacent to Cache Creek are Continually Violating Numerous Provisions of the Yolo County Surface Mine Reclamation Ordinance

On behalf on the Sierra Club Yolano Group, attached please find a report in which numerous violations of Yolo County’s Surface Mining Reclamation Ordinance are disclosed and documented.   Download Yolo County Gravel Mining C

Further, these violations were not disclosed last year to the Planning Commission when it was charged with certifying the 2023 Annual Compliance Report regarding off-channel gravel mining as required by County Code.

Instead, as explained in the attached report, false representations that all of the mining companies were in compliance with the provisions of all applicable mining ordinances in the State and Yolo County were made to the Planning Commission in Findings of Fact statements.

The ongoing failure by the County to enforce the provisions of the applicable mining ordinances in Yolo County has resulted in continued production and bioaccumulation of methyl mercury to excessive levels in fish in most of the impoundment pits on the mining sites and required Lake Management Plans to remediate the problems have not been implemented. These compliance shortcomings have also resulted in the ongoing failure by the mining companies to fully restore formerly mined farmland back to its pre-existing soil quality and crop productivity. 

This is fully explained in the attached report entitled, “Yolo County Gravel Mining Companies are Continually Violating Numerous Provisions of the Surface Mining Reclamation Ordinance_2-7-25”.

We request that the Planning Commission refrain from wrongfully certifying that mining companies are in compliance with Yolo County mining ordinances in the future. We additionally request that the Planning Commission not permit or entitle any future new mines or extensions or expansions of existing mines in Yolo County until such mining companies are in full compliance with all existing ordinances.

Toward that end,  we ask that the following questions be addressed with detailed written answers.

Davis is a city that prides itself on being a welcoming, forward-thinking community. Yet, as many as 25,000 people who work in Davis—including teachers, firefighters, police officers, UC Davis staff, and service workers—are unable to live here due to the high cost of housing. Instead, they are forced to commute from surrounding areas, contributing to traffic congestion and increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

The average price of an older detached home in Davis is a staggering $850,000,  and new 2-bedroom houses start in the mid- $700,000’s (see Bretton Woods). Duplexes and townhouses, on the other hand, sell in the mid- $500,000’s (3-bedrooms, 2-baths—see Zillow).  These “missing middle” housing options are critical for keeping our workforce in the community, yet there is a glaring shortage of such products in recent development proposals. Will Davis step up to build them?

The rental market is no better. Many new apartments are leased by the bed, catering primarily to students. This leaves non-student workers and families with limited rental options. Larger, family-friendly rental units with play areas are desperately needed to accommodate those who contribute daily to the vitality of our city.

Interfaith Housing Justice Davis is committed to just and equitable housing for our community, including ensuring that our workforce is not priced out of living here. Providing the people who serve our city with the opportunity to live here strengthens our community and our schools, while reducing environmental impacts from commuter traffic.

Alex Achimore and Barbara Clutter, Interfaith Housing Justice Davis