The Davis City Council’s discussion about the Cannery Park project Tuesday night led to bigger policy questions about land use and the community’s housing needs.

ConAgra Foods went to the council for feedback on its proposal to build houses and an approximately 20-acre business park at the 100-acre former Hunt-Wesson tomato cannery site on East Covell Boulevard. What the company got was a council with no clear consensus on the appropriate use of the land and whether the local real estate market can support more homes.

Councilwoman Sue Greenwald argued that the land, which is zoned industrial, should be kept primarily for business park development for two reasons. First, business parks generate more money for the city than houses do, she said. Second, the city gets 25 percent of property taxes from the cannery site, while other sites return only 18 percent on average after the county takes its cut.

That means the site should be developed for its highest possible value, or the city will suffer a loss, she said.

Other council members did not share Greenwald’s convictions. Councilman Stephen Souza said the city does not have the data it needs to determine the best use for the site.

While the Davis General Plan normally would guide such policy decisions, the council had decided against an update due to cost, so the answer to the land-use question depends on the city’s ongoing Business Park Land Strategy study. The study, which was jump-started in October at the same time ConAgra submitted its proposal, attempts to assess available industrial and commercial land within city limits and what type of business park would be appropriate for Davis.

Councilman Dan Wolk said ConAgra’s is a “really worthy and innovative project,” but he would like to see the council and staff focus on whether the city needs more housing — and if so, what type of housing?

About 20 people spoke during public comment. Some supported ConAgra’s proposal, while others argued for a significant portion of the homes to be designed and reserved specifically for age-qualified senior households.

Norb Kumagai said the city desperately needs homes that accommodate older residents’ needs. He said the need became clear to him when he was caring for his elderly father in their home.

Mary Jo Bryan, a member of Choices for Healthy Aging, or CHA, said the group wants to see a senior living community where people can “age in place.” That means smaller, low-maintenance homes with amenities such as telemedicine support.

Bryan also is a member of the city’s Senior Citizen Commission.

ConAgra representative George Phillips said he met with CHA and is researching the ideas the group presented. Some concepts, such as universal design, might be great for all residents — not just seniors, Phillips said.

Judy Feldman said she liked ConAgra’s proposal of a progressively high- to low-density community, flanked by a greenbelt, urban-farm buffer and business park at its entrance.

“Even though I’m a senior, CHA does not speak for me,” Feldman said.

Charlene Sailer also spoke in favor of the project, saying she would love to live in a neighborhood where she could walk to a restaurant or pub.

Phillips told the council ConAgra will continue with the city’s planning process because of the community’s show of support for developing the site, whether primarily for seniors or as a mixed project.

The project is a long way from approvals. It requires an environmental review, funded by the developer, which would first need to be green-lighted by the City Council. Environmental reviews typically take a year to complete, said principal planner Mike Webb.

The project also is subject to reviews by various city commissions, including the Planning Commission, before the City Council makes a final decision. The site is not subject to a Measure J vote of the people.

— Reach Crystal Lee at [email protected] or (530) 747-8057. Comment on this story at www.davisenterprise.com

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A boy runs across J Street at the intersection of Covell Boulevard near the entrance to the Cannery Park site on Monday. Fred Gladdis/Enterprise photo

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Alex Gibbons rides her bike over the Covell Boulevard railroad overpass Monday next to the Cannery Park site. Fred Gladdis/Enterprise photo

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