On September 19, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution 17-125, certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Mace Ranch Innovation Center project (MRIC).  The planning applications related to the EIR were subsequently put on hold.  On June 11, 2019, the City received a letter from the property owners of the MRIC project site (Buzz Oates, Reynolds & Brown, and Ramco Enterprises) requesting the City recommence with processing of their innovation center application, which has been renamed as Aggie Research Campus (ARC), in May 2020 the project was renamed to Davis Innovation Sustainability Campus (DISC).  On September 30, 2019, the applicant submitted a project description and a number of other exhibits related to their application that are under review. 

The applicant spent the last two years conducting research on modern innovation parks, talking to industry experts, and analyzing the appropriate land uses.  The applicant has decided to continue pursuing the appropriate general plan and zoning designations, as well as, an application to annex their proposed Davis Innovation Sustainability Campus project which is located on a 185-acre project site, immediately east of the City of Davis city limits, near the “Mace Curve”, in unincorporated Yolo County.  At build-out, DISC would include up to 2,654,000 square feet of innovation center/business uses and 850 residential units of varied sizes and affordability.

The City’s Mace 25 Parcel

In the prior MRIC proposal, development of the City’s Mace 25 was part of the project proposal.  The current DISC proposal removes the City’s Mace 25 parcel from the development proposal.  There are no proposed changes to the agricultural zoning of the Mace 25 parcel nor to the City ownership of the property.  The DISC project does propose a 150’ wide, 6.8 acre agricultural buffer easement on the southern and eastern edges of the Mace 25 parcel.  The placement of the agricultural buffer easement will be considered as part of the larger entitlement application discussion at a future meeting.

 Economic Analysis

April 29, 2020 - The City of Davis announced today that is has released the Pro Forma, Fiscal and Economic Impact Analysis report on Davis Innovation Sustainability Campus formerly known as Aggie Research Campus and Mace Ranch Innovation Center.  

 Economic Analysis- Fiscal and Economic Impacts Report (April 29, 2020)

Response Memo to Finance and Budget Commission (May 27, 2020) 

 Project Entitlements

Current Entitlements

An entitlement is a land use authorization, granted by the City, establishing land uses for the ultimate construction a particular project. Certain entitlements establish land use and zoning for a project site while other entitlements (Tentative Subdivision Maps, Final Planned Development and Design Review) are implementation entitlements that get into site specifics of establishing parcel lines, building placement, landscape, and site specific design. The Davis Innovation Sustainability Campus entitlement applications currently being reviewed by the City include a General Plan Amendment, Pre Zoning, a Sphere of Influence Amendment, and Annexation. Should the City Council and ultimately the voters through a Measure J/R vote approve these land use entitlements, General Plan land use designations and zoning would be established for the property upon annexation into the City limits. After the initial entitlements establishing land use for the project, there would be a number of subsequent implementing entitlements that would be required of the project prior to any construction activity. These implementation entitlements would require additional review through City commissions at the time in which they are submitted prior to any construction occurring at the proposed project site.

Annexation – The Davis Innovation Sustainability Campus applicant (owner of 2 of the 6 parcels listed below) is seeking approval from the City of Davis to request a sphere of influence amendment and an annexation for their 185+ acre project area. The annexation request that would be made by the City of Davis is anticipated to also include 4 additional parcels for a total of 228.78 acres.  

It should be noted that the Davis Innovation Sustainability Campus is made up of only the first two parcels listed above (185 +acres.)  The remaining parcels were analyzed under the Mace Ranch Innovation Center EIR and their proposed general plan designation and zoning designations have not changed.

The annexation request is subject to the approval by the voters of a Measure R issue prior to a formal action by the Yolo County Local Agency Formation Commission.    

General Plan Amendment – Prior to annexation, the City of Davis must approve the General Plan Land Uses that will be applied to the properties upon approval of annexation.  Therefore, land uses and circulation elements will be established.

Pre Zoning – The City of Davis must also approve the zoning designations that will be applied to the properties upon annexation.  Therefore, zones, development standards and approved uses will be established.

Future Additional Implementing Entitlements

Should the Davis Innovation Sustainability Campus project be approved and annexed into the City, the applicant would be required to return to the City for additional entitlements prior to actual construction of any projects.  These entitlements include the details of the construction project.  The following is a list of those possible entitlements.

Tentative Subdivision Map(s) – Divides the properties into smaller pieces, establishes road rights-of-way and street cross sections, provides design for all utilities and drainage.  

Final Planned Development / Design Review – Establishes the actual development proposals including building design, site design, landscaping design, grading patterns, driveway locations, parking layouts, signs, and other details of actual development.

Project Information

Note: Applicant materials are under review and should not be considered as agreed upon or accepted, until final action by City Council.

Draft as submitted by applicant Project Description

Draft as submitted by applicant Land Use Plan

Draft as submitted by applicant Proposed Open Space Plan

Draft as submitted by applicant Proposed General Plan Land Use Designation

Draft as submitted by applicant Proposed Preliminary Planned Development

Draft as submitted by applicant,  Applicant Letter Comparison Summary of ARC and MRIC Projects (November 27, 2019)

Draft as submitted by applicant Land Use Comparison Table for ARC and MRIC

Draft as submitted by applicant Parking Comparison Table for ARC and MRIC

Draft as submitted by applicant Comparative Site Plans for ARC and MRIC 

Draft as submitted by applicant  ARC Aerial Perspective Exhibit 

Draft as submitted by applicantARC Ground View Rendering Exhibit 

Draft as submitted by applicantARC Illustrative Site Exhibit

Draft as submitted by applicant Aggie Research Campus Environmental Sustainability Guiding Principles

Environmental Documents

The Davis City Council certified the environmental impact report (EIR) for the proposed Mace Ranch Innovation Center (MRIC) Project in September 2017, determining that it adequately evaluated the environmental impacts of the proposed MRIC project and a related Mixed-Use Alternative. The EIR included an analysis of the potential physical environmental impacts of a Mixed-Use Alternative, at the same level of detail performed for the proposed MRIC project. Once an EIR has been certified, any further review associated with subsequent discretionary actions related to the project is guided by Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 21166; California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (CEQA Guidelines) Sections 15162 and 15163. Neither PRC Section 21166 nor CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162-15163 include requirements for a new notice of preparation (NOP) and scoping meeting. The only specific requirement for a lead agency to issue a NOP and hold a scoping meeting is at the outset of the initial environmental review of a project (CEQA Guidelines Section 15082). The City of Davis issued a NOP and held a scoping meeting for the MRIC EIR process, as required.

 While preparation of a new NOP and subsequent scoping meeting are not required for a subsequent EIR or supplemental EIR, the City of Davis is sensitive to the community’s concerns and chose to hold a scoping meeting. As a result, the City held a scheduled scoping meeting for the proposed Davis Innovation Sustainability Campus project on December 2, 2019. The meeting was intended to focus more appropriately on collecting comments related to the changes in circumstances that may have occurred in the project vicinity since the certification of the MRIC EIR in 2017, given that this is an important criterion to consider when preparing further environmental documents for projects, according to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162(a)(2).  The intent of the voluntary scoping meeting held on Monday, December 2, 2019 starting at 5:00 PM and ending at 7:00 PM at Davis City Hall Conference Room, 23 Russell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616 was to solicit input and comments from public agencies and the general public on the proposed subsequent EIR.  The intent was to receive comments before or during the scoping meeting. 

The City of Davis held a voluntary scoping meeting on December 2, 2019 which provided an opportunity for public agencies and the general public that are interested in providing input as to the scope and content of the supplemental environmental information associated with the preparation of a supplemental environmental impact report.  As an additional effort to provide ample opportunities for public engagement and input, City staff not only held the voluntary scoping meting but also extended the period to accept written comments from public agencies and the general public that are interested in providing input as to the scope and content of the supplemental environmental information to Monday, December 9, 2019 at 5:00 PM.  Staff received requests for additional time beyond the December 2, 2019 deadline to provide written comments.  In response to the requests for additional time, staff once again extended the date for delivery of written scoping comments to Monday, December 16, 2019 at 5:00 PM.  Written scoping comments were delivered to the City of Davis Community Development and Sustainability Department, 23 Russell Boulevard, Suite 2 Davis, CA 95616 Attn: Sherri Metzker, Principal Planner or via electronic mail to: smetzker@cityofdavis.org; up until Monday, December 16, 2019 at 5:00 PM.

Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report

ARC Final SEIR Chapters 1-4

ARC Final SEIR Appendices Only

ARC Final SEIR Erratum

The Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was released for public review and comment on March 13, 2020, for a 45-day review period ending at 5:00pm on April 27, 2020. The Draft Subsequent EIR is available for review at the Department of Community Development and Sustainability, 23 Russell Boulevard, during regular working hours. Flash drives and paper loan copies are also available. A review copy has also been provided to the Davis Public Library at 315 East 14th Street.

DRAFT SUBSEQUENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

Upcoming Commission Meeting Dates

Planning Commission – June 10^th and June 17^th

City Council - June 30^th

City Council - July 7^th

Past Commission Presentations

Open Space and Habitation Commission 

• Materials presented at November 4, 2019 meeting
• Materials presented at April 23, 2020 Special Meeting 

Natural Resources Commission

• Materials presented at February 24, 2020 meeting

Social Services Commission

• Materials presented at December 16, 2019 meeting

Planning Commission Workshop February 26, 2020

• Staff Powerpoint Presentation
• Applicant Powerpoint Presentation

Bicycle Transportation Street Safety Commission

• Materials presented at April 9, 2020 meetingdavijav
• Powerpoint Presentation Presented at April 9, 2020 meeting
• Proposed Travel Demand Management Plan 

Public Hearing/Meeting Notices

Aggie Research Campus SEIR Scoping Meeting December 2, 2019 

Aggie Research Campus Planning Commission Workshop February 26, 2020

Aggie Research Campus Notice of Availability March 13, 2020 through April 27, 2020

Staff Reports

City Council

ARC Council Subcommittee

ARC Supplemental EIR Contract

Other Related Information

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Click here to be directed to the documents associated with the Mace Ranch Innovation Center. All email inquiries should be directed to smetzker@cityofdavis.org.