Article Launched: 07/31/2005 08:40:23 AM

Vaca planners to review maps of subdivision

By Tom Hall/Staff Writer

With work on the massive North Village development in northern Vacaville rolling along and final approvals nearing for the controversial Lagoon Valley project in western Vacaville, builders now are looking to get started on a subdivision in southern Vacaville.

The tentative maps for the first phases of the aptly-named Southtown project will be reviewed by the Vacaville Planning Commission Tuesday night.

The project looks to add up to 1,400 homes south of Alamo Drive in the southeastern corner of the city.

The phases to be discussed Tuesday comprise 450 homes. Of those, 323 homes are to be on 86 acres are between Nut Tree and Vanden roads, south of the New Alamo Creek Channel. The other 117 homes are to sit on 33 acres west of Leisure Town Road.

Plans on the project started in early 2003, when the City Council initiated general plan amendments to set the project in motion. Planning commissioners approved those amendments and preliminary plans for the project in spring of 2004.

The land to be developed officially was annexed into the city in June. Just a week ago, the City Council approved the cancellation of an agricultural contract on the land.

There is to be a large, oval-shaped community center and open space area in the middle of the subdivision. Apartments will be intertwined with neighborhood commercial uses in some parts of the project, and a trail system is proposed throughout the development.
An environmental impact report for the project was completed and certified in 2004. No major issues came up at the time.

The Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall at 650 Merchant St.

Tom Hall can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.com