Logo courtesy of the City of Dixon

DIXON, CA (MPG) - At the Sept. 15 meeting of the Dixon City Council, they considered a $5,000 contribution to the Downtown Dixon Business Association (DDBA) to help with costs for the annual Christmas tree lighting event, planned for Dec. 5. A resolution was also considered to close certain streets in downtown Dixon for the free community event. 

Some city staff, such as police officers and public works employees, would help staff the event, and the city would provide rental items for event use. The estimated cost of these contributions is $27,455, which is slightly higher than the $25,427 originally budgeted, so staff requested a budget amendment. 

The DDBA spends around $35,000 on this event each year, which features vendors, children’s activities, live music, decorations, visits with Santa, train rides, animal exhibits and more. 

The council all agreed that it’s a wonderful community event, and they were happy to unanimously approve the road closures and funding contributions.

The council received an overview of the upcoming amendment to the Dixon General Plan 2040, which will be considered in conjunction with two development proposals that are requesting annexation into the city: Harvest at Dixon and Lombardo Ranch. The scope of topics for the amendment will include expanding the city’s sphere of influence (SOI), creating an area of interest/planning area, considering an urban growth boundary/green line, and other policy streamlining and refinements. 

The Harvest development proposes 6,300 new homes built on 1,100 acres over the next 30 years, along with commercial uses and green space. The Lombardo project proposes 800 homes on 150 acres. Both project areas are outside city limits and request annexation into the city. 

Community Development Director Raffi Boloyan explained that the current General Plan was adopted in 2021, however it did not include expanding the SOI or areas of interest for long-term city growth. 

Community input for the general plan focused on maintaining Dixon’s small-town character, managing growth responsibly and expanding local retail opportunities.  

During public comments on this item, some residents said the developments would bring necessary housing to Dixon as well as the associated tax revenue from new residents. However, many were concerned about the loss of open space and agricultural land as a result of development.

City Attorney Doug White explained that the city is legally required to consider development project applications. State legislation requires a thorough review and consideration of housing development proposals, and the city risks lawsuits if they ignore those requirements and refuse to consider an application. White said that while residents don’t have to like the projects, their input can help ensure the final application is the best possible fit for Dixon when it eventually comes to the city council for a vote. 

Councilmember Don Hendershot said public input is crucial, and these general plan updates will help ensure Dixon is able to make responsible long-term planning decisions. 

Councilmember Thom Bogue said the cities around Dixon are still growing, and expanding the SIO and planning areas will ensure they don’t encroach onto Dixon. 

Councilmember Kevin Johnson said this process is how they determine if these projects will work for Dixon and to ensure they would benefit the community. He said some development is inevitable, especially along the highway to generate more long-term revenue sources, and he encouraged the public to stay engaged in the process. 

Vice Mayor Jim Ernest said this won’t be a snap decision. He also cautioned that if Harvest were developed without annexation, then the development fees and new revenue would go to the county instead: “If we don’t realize that and take that seriously, we’ve got ourselves a problem— we’re burying our head in the sand.” 

Mayor Steven Bird said, “Well I guess the question is, to grow or not to grow. … Growth is a reality, but how we attain that and how we’re influenced by that is the issue at hand.” He said it’s important to ensure local control of Dixon’s growth. “It’s a community effort, folks, and we’re only going to do that by continuing to have these conversations and put our heads together to see what really works for all of us and how we’re all going to benefit from that.”

This was just an overview of the general plan amendment process, and no council action was taken. 

The next meeting of the Dixon City Council is scheduled for Oct. 6.