City Council to hear Nut Tree master plan

By Patricia Valenzuela/Staff Writer

Developer Roger Snell will be one step closer to creating the new Nut Tree if the Vacaville City Council approves a master plan Tuesday.

Last week the Planning Commission approved the master plan after receiving a presentation from Larkspur-based Snell. The presentation was similar to one the council has received in the past, but the news from the meeting was that Snell has requested a six-month extension for the construction start date.

According to the Disposition and Development Agreement Snell signed with the city, construction should begin in February. However, Snell said it is no longer feasible.

"There's no way all of the building permits would be ready," Snell said earlier this week by phone.

Snell has requested an extension that would give him a construction start date sometime in June. Snell, who is a bit superstitious about discussing a specific start date, is hopeful the first phase of construction could begin in the spring.

The first phase of construction would include a minimum of 20 acres of retail space and parks. Snell has proposed building a three acre amusement area and a bocce grove underneath the hackberry trees.

April Philips, of April Philips Design Works, has said the design would allow people to once again create memories at the site by spending time at the parks, shopping at the retail stores, or walking along the pedestrian-friendly 25-foot sidewalks.

"It will become the place to shop and dine in Vacaville," Philips told the Planning Commission earlier this week emphasizing the word "the."

The next step would be a design review with specific building and landscape designs, according to Community Development Director Ron Rowland. Also, Snell is expected to announce the anchor tenants soon. He said an announcement will likely take place no later than Halloween.

Patricia Valenzuela can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.com.