Support this innovative project
All registered voters living in Davis are invited to vote on Measure P on or before Nov. 3. Measure P, if passed, would change the land-use designation for the Wildhorse Ranch from agriculture to residential uses and permit the development of 191 dwelling units on the 25.8-acre property.
The developer, Parlin Development, plans to build 40 apartments, 78 townhomes and 73 single-family homes. Also, the developer has pledged to provide funds so the project will break even financially for the city. The essence of the project is the establishment of environmentally favorable ‘green’ building practices. Solar energy systems are promised to significantly reduce energy use.
The city of Davis has a plan to grow at or below 1 percent per year. This amounts to about 250 residential units per year and offers modest growth for our city. The Wildhorse Ranch project is likely to fit our needs. However, opponents object that the units are not affordable, not green enough and not needed. Furthermore, they say the project did not receive enough discussion.
Wildhorse Ranch has received the endorsement of the Sierra Club for the environmentally favorable components of the plan. One hundred percent of the homes will be powered by solar energy systems. The Sierra Club endorsement came from the Yolano Group (Davis) and the Mother Lode Chapter, with the approval of the statewide committee. This action is a singular, impressive vote of confidence in the project’s green design.
Opponents of the project state that the average housing unit, at $451,000, is unaffordable. Of course, the 40 apartments are affordable to low-income families. The $450,000 average price is consistent with other new homes built in Davis and similar older, up-to-date homes. Davis has relatively higher costs due to its attractive features and its significant building fees.
Some opponents seem to believe this project was rushed to a vote. The plans were discussed over years with the neighbors, then were fully aired before the Planning Commission. Finally, the City Council held a three-hour discussion. More discussion might have been useful if some issue was overlooked. However, the project seemed to be fully aired and is now a matter for the voters.
The no on P group has touted its Web site and the issue of a potential 2,000 unbuilt homes deserves review. They state that city staff report 2,000 entitled homes in Davis. They get to that figure by including 541 units in the city and 1,500 units on the UC Davis campus.
Note that 1,025 campus units are restricted to students and 475 starter homes are restricted to faculty and staff. These housing units are needed for the growth of a first-rate, world-class university.
Changing from an agricultural land designation is probably appropriate for this small parcel that was a horse ranch and is surrounded on three sides by houses.
Nevertheless, Davis residents may be reluctant to pass Measure P so they can protect the value of their homes. Houses are selling slowly and prices have fallen in Davis. As the real estate bubble grew from 2000 to 2006, average prices in Davis hit about $600,000. In 2009, the average price is about $500,000. Residents who are counting on selling their homes over the next year may be reluctant to vote for any new housing.
Some people use the stock market as a barometer of their financial health. Others use the value of their house as a measure of their wealth. Housing is more complicated than the stock market, since people benefit directly by living in their home and enjoying all its benefits.
Our economy is shifting from manufacturing and toward idea-driven creative industries. UCD is a center for this transformation and we should support this transformational change. I am pleased that we have in this project a small step forward toward ‘green housing’ in Davis.
As Davis emerges as one of the top 10 models for the college city of the future, we should encourage innovative housing. The innovative project for 191 housing units called the Wildhorse Ranch deserves our support. Please join me in voting yes on Measure P. – Dick Dorf is a Davis resident; his column appears every other week. Reach him at dorf@dcn.org
