DIXON, CA (MPG) - Are you wondering what our town is going to look like in five years? Do you think we’re aiming to be another Vacaville and will allow any and all growth anywhere? Well, there’s probably a lot of long-timers trying to figure that out but here’s your chance to have some input.

Two upcoming public workshops are coming on July 20 and another on July 21, where the City wants to hear from you in regards to the City of Dixon Comprehensive Update to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map. It is organized by Raffi Boloyan, Dixon Community Development Director.

The process will shape future growth and help realize the community’s vision for Dixon as a safe, vibrant, and livable community with a robust local economy. The zones are important because they determine what can be built and where. For example, there is light industrial, commercial, and housing, to name a few but there are several.

“To date, our consultant has worked with staff to understand all the issues we face with our current ordinance, the gaps, outdated information, areas of confusion, missing components and areas where people have lots of questions,” said Boloyan. “They also conducted stakeholder interviews, with people who regularly use the zoning code and have some familiarity with it, to get their thoughts on what works, what doesn’t work, etc. I believe there were about 8-10 different people interviewed, including architects, contractors, planners, real estate agents, who regularly use the code.” Those were taken into consideration and a consultant prepared recommendations that are already approved by the City Council and the Planning Commission.

He admits most residents don’t understand Zoning codes and only have an interest once they discover they can’t do something they want to do, he explained.

“The people who really care are staff so that we can give out clear and accurate information to homeowners, builders, etc., and to the professionals, such as architects, contractors, and developers who use it to prepare plans to submit for review,” he said. “Regardless, every city is required to have one, as the zoning ordinance sets the specific rules, based on the higher level general plan, for how one can use or develop their property.”

The updating of the zoning ordinance was an action item from the General Plan and Dixon is required to have zoning consistent with its general plan.

“Given the age, significant deficiencies, poor origination and all the other issues we have had with our code, it was time to do a comprehensive update,” he added. “The zoning code does not set new policy, but only implements the policies established by the General Plan into more specific land use, and development standards.”

You’re encouraged to attend one of the workshops. The one on Wednesday, July 20 is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Senior/Multi-Use Center, 201 South 5th Street.

The other is Thursday, July 21 from 10 AM to 11:30 AM at City Hall, 600 East A Street. If you cannot make the workshop but still would like to have some input, you can visit the project website and take the online survey in English or Spanish. For more information, call (707) 678-7000 or email [email protected].