A rendering shows site plans for The Campus Project in Dixon. Photo courtesy of the City of Dixon

DIXON, CA (MPG) - At the May 5 meeting, the Dixon City Council considered an amendment to the development agreement with Dixon Venture, LLC for The Campus Project, a mixed-use development on 260 acres west of Pedrick Road. It will include up to 1,041 residential units, an employment center, an industrial/technology center, commercial uses, parks and various infrastructure improvements. 

Council approved the project in March 2025. A requirement in the development agreement was the construction of a 1,500 gallon per minute municipal water well and related facilities prior to the first occupancy of any home. 

The developer has requested an amendment to the well requirement, seeking flexibility in the timing of the well installation in case of delays.

Community Development Director Raffi Boloyan said when the development agreement was approved, the water analysis did not include the Homestead well, which was not operational at that time. A more recent water study showed that with the new Homestead well now available, there is adequate water supply to accommodate The Campus Project. 

Boloyan said the developer would still need to meet deadlines for well installation milestones: testing and monitoring by July, municipal well design by November, equipment and facility design by March 2027 and agency approval of construction plans by July 2027. Well construction must begin by October 2027, with completion by December 2028. The well must be operational and ready for city acceptance by March 2029.

Councilmember Kevin Johnson clarified that the new well will have to meet the new state reequipments for Chrome VI to ensure allowable levels of that contaminant. 

A representative for the developer said they’ve already drilled a test well and analyzed water quality samples and Chrome VI is an issue. They are testing different aquifers and analyzing more samples to meet the state requirements. 

The plan designs are complete and they’re ready to go out to bid on the first phase of infrastructure construction. They want to avoid having finished homes sitting empty while waiting for the well to be completed, and this amendment would allow for that flexibility. 

Councilmember Johnson said since the well will be Chrome VI compliant, it will be an “advantage to the city.” He added, “I want to see the homes built. We need it.”

The council voted 3-0 to approve the amendment with Councilmember Thom Bogue and Vice Mayor Jim Ernest absent. 

The council also considered reallocating $65,000 of previously approved funding for the 2025-26 fiscal year. This money was earmarked for economic development marketing analysis, but staff determined that the city is not well positioned to undertake comprehensive marketing analysis at this time.

Instead, they recommended the funds be used for more immediate economic development efforts through a contract with Tripepi Smith & Associates, providing communication and outreach services through the end of this fiscal year. The approach will include the creation of marketing materials, a social media outreach strategy and initiatives to support a Shop Local campaign. 

This plan will allow that funding to make a significant impact now, and the in-depth marketing analysis can instead be undertaken in the upcoming budget cycle. Any remaining funds from this allocation will be carried over into fiscal year 2026-27. 

Councilmember Johnson said he looks forward to a robust discussion about long-term economic development strategies as they plan the next budget. The council voted 3-0 to approve the funding reallocation. 

City Manager Jim Lindley announced that he is planning to retire at the end of July after 14 years with the city. He said, “This is the best job I’ve ever had in my life. And I feel very privileged to have served the City of Dixon all these years. And I’m honored to have ended my career in such a great place.”

Mayor Steven Bird said that Lindley is currently the longest serving city manager in the county and in the state: “We certainly appreciate your service and dedication to our community.” 

The next meeting of the Dixon City Council is scheduled for May 19.