VACAVILLE, Calif. – The City of Vacaville has successfully negotiated a settlement with the developer of the proposed Southtown Apartments project.
The City has been a leader in the region in addressing housing needs, and is extremely proud of its track record. In reaching this settlement, the City Council is acutely aware of the concerns expressed by Vacaville residents about the new housing development but is also keenly aware of the need for housing, including housing for members of the military and their families.
Faced with the enormous expense of defending the current lawsuit and potentially multiple lawsuits, as well as stringent state housing mandates applicable to all California cities, the City has moved to take actions to end the Southtown litigation and in compliance with SB 330, the Housing Accountability Act.
The developer has heard the neighbors’ concerns and has significantly revised the parking plan for the project by reducing use of on-street parking by approximately 50 percent by adding onsite parking. The project applicant also agrees to provide substantial funding for City police and fire services, and additional privacy screening around the project.
The settlement requires the City Council to conduct a public hearing on the project application with these revisions in March 2023. If the City Council approves the Project at the public hearing, the developer will immediately dismiss the litigation. If the City Council either elects not to hear the Project or denies the revised Project, the pending litigation will continue. If the City Council chooses to litigate, it is anticipated that the City would face total expense and exposure in the seven-figure range.
At the February 28, 2023, City Council meeting, the Council took the first step in this process and scheduled a public hearing for reconsideration of the Project, as revised, at the March 14, 2023 City Council meeting.
View a chronology of the Project hearing and litigation process.
