International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 720 President Jeremy Peconom informs Planning Commission members that the local union should be able to get the contract with the developer so that local workers can labor close to home.

DIXON, CA (MPG) - The Dixon Planning Commission is considering environmental concerns over a massive, proposed project.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was the focus of the July 9 Planning Commission meeting, during which contract planner Brian Millar detailed a 260-acre campus mixed-use project south of Pedrick Road and north of Vaughn Road.

Millar began detailing the 47-acre technical campus, which includes approximately 660,000 square feet of space for the Dixon Opportunity Center at the west end of the site along Pedrick Road. Two acres of commercial space are also within the campus, which is mixed with high- and medium-density housing.

The proposal includes up to 10 acres of high-density housing with 225 residential units next to the campus and 142 acres of low-to medium density housing, with 816 residential units south of the campus.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report included a 45-day public comment period, during which comments were received from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Caltrans, and Napa Residents for Responsible Development, among others.

Before taking public and commission questions and comments, De Novo Planning Group consultant Christina Erwin said the Draft Environmental Impact Report 's "fact-finding and analysis" strictly concerns measures to reduce potential adverse environmental impacts, but it does not advocate for the project.

"The purpose of tonight's meeting is to provide a summary and accept comments from the public," Erwin explained before detailing the lengthy review process in full.

Erwin listed up to 17 technical areas of the Draft Environmental Impact Report mandated under state guidelines, beginning with aesthetics.

"We also addressed mandatory findings of significance, analyzed cumulative impact for each of these topical areas, and looked at potential project alternatives that would reduce the environmental impact of the project," Erwin said.

Five significant environmental effects can be mitigated for less impact: aesthetics, biological resources, geology and soils, cultural and tribal resources, and land use.

However, three effects cannot. According to Erwin, agricultural resources, transportation and air quality are all unavoidable concerns. 

"With air quality, we have some potential impacts because of construction," Erwin said.

Commissioner Randy Davis was concerned about land use, saying, "At the very least, the DEIR should reflect the reality when it comes to park acreage," based on the Parks Master Plan northeast quadrant layout.

"The two are different," Davis said.

Commissioner Baudelio Diaz shared transportation concerns, specifically increased traffic, and asked that Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) conduct an impact study in the region around the project. 

Two residents brought up issues not presented in the PowerPoint presentation: local labor.

Alicia Mijares, representative for Sheet Metal Workers 104, took the podium on "behalf of 2,000 workers" with her union.

"Our members are your neighbors who might not get the opportunity to work on this project if it gets approved," said Mijares. "Local hire and apprenticeship opportunities benefit the community."

If locals do not get hired, who will be, Mijares asked.

"Our hope is that you ask the developer to address our community members' concerns when creating pathways to the trades into the middle class," Mijares said, adding, "Projects without developer commitments for local hires "perpetuate gridlock, pollution, and local workers spending more time away from their families because of the commute."

Alicia Mijares, a representative for Sheet Metal Workers 104, asks officials to advocate on behalf of the local apprenticeship who could benefit from assisting in the construction.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 720 President Jeremy Peconom also advocated for his union's participation in the project.

"I know all about Dixon. I grew up here in 45 years,” Peconom said, adding that if you can't stop growth, maintain it for locals.

Although Peconom "can afford to live in one of these fancy houses you are about to build, who knows if the next generation can."

The Draft Environmental Impact Report review lasted more than an hour, with the Planning Commission moving it to the next phase, planning the final Draft Environmental Impact Report, which is available for review on the city website.