Planning Commission to Consider NorthBay Office, Center

Planning Commission to Consider NorthBay Office, Center
By Barry Eberling

FAIRFIELD - Fairfield Planning Commissioners tonight will consider approving the initial buildings for a NorthBay Healthcare development in Green Valley.

NorthBay Healthcare wants to build a 68,952-square-foot corporate office and conference center on 6.6 acres. The site is located at the southwest corner of Business Center Drive and Mangels Boulevard.

The commission meets at 7 p.m. in the City Council chamber, 1000 Webster St.

This 6.6 acres is part of a larger, 20-acre site. Ultimately, NorthBay wants to also build a hospital there. But the commission tonight is looking only at the corporate office and conference center.

The corporate office is to be two stories tall and the conference center one story tall. A Fairfield staff report describes the architecture as having a "modern theme," with concrete panels varying in color and texture.

Under the Green Valley settlement agreement resulting from growth battles in the area, building designs must be reviewed by other architects. One reviewer, the Odermatt Group, said the proposed buildings didn't meet the city's "superior design" standard. The applicant has since modified the design in light of the suggestions.

City staff recommends the commission approve the project.

Also tonight, the commission will consider:

- A zoning change on .45 acres owned by the city at the northeast corner of Dickson Hill Road and Dover Avenue. The city once intended to put a fire station there. It now wants the land to be zoned for certain types of businesses and offices.

- A zoning change for a proposed 64-unit subdivision called Ivy Wreath at the southeast corner of East Tabor Avenue and Walters Road. The City Council will have the final word on the project.

- A General Plan housing section amendment to take 1,480 homes assigned under state housing laws to the unicorporated county. This would reflect a deal reached by the city and county in 2004.

Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646 Ext. 232 or at beberling@dailyrepublic.net.

At a glance

Who: Fairfield Planning Commission

What: NorthBay Healthcare office and conference center

When: 7 p.m. tonight

Where: Fairfield City Council chamber, 1000 Webster St.

Info: 428-7461