Vacaville's Southtown subdivision a bit closer

Article Launched: 08/03/2005 07:33:54 AM

Southtown subdivision a bit closer

By Tom Hall/Staff Writer
A subdivision planned to sprout on what is now open grassland in southeastern Vacaville moved a step closer to fruition Tuesday night.

The Vacaville Planning Commission unanimously approved tentative maps for two phases of the Southtown project at its regular meeting Tuesday, giving a green light to nearly 450 homes south of Alamo Creek.

When completed, Southtown is expected to include 1,400 homes on 280 acres. Planning Commissioner Brett Johnson lauded some the project features, including a "tot lot," a large community park and linear trails weaving throughout the subdivision.

"It's unlike anything I've seen here in Vacaville," Johnson said.

Commissioner Eric Williams, who said he lives near the project site, agreed with Johnson.

"I'm going to miss driving by that big open field," Williams said. "But change is necessary. Change is good."

Vince Fletcher of the developer, Western Pacific Housing, said the project consists of mostly large homes. Two separate phases were approved Tuesday, made up of property lots with a minimum size of 5,000 square feet.

Fletcher said all of the lots will go beyond that minimum threshold, with those sitting on the subdivision's western boundary (Nut Tree Drive) exceeding 7,000 square feet.

The project sits south of the New Alamo Creek Channel. The eastern boundary of the project is Leisure Town Road.

City planner Lori Parrington said future phases will include a 10-acre slice of land set aside for apartments, as well as a neighborhood commercial component.

The Southtown land officially was annexed into the city in June. Last month, the city formally canceled the Williamson Act agricultural contract for the property.

Tom Hall can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.com.