Planners OK Center For Dixon

Planners OK Center For Dixon
By Melissa Murphy/Staff Writer

After a rather lengthy discussion, the Dixon Planning Commission gave a unanimous thumbs up Tuesday evening for the construction of a new retail and restaurant center in the northeast corner of the city.

The planning commissioners voted 6-0, Commissioner Doug Uhlik being absent, to allow the construction of a 152,000-square-foot commercial center at the corner of North First Street and Vaughn Road.

"It will be a nice gateway to the north side of Dixon," said Gregg Steele on behalf of 20th Street Dixon LLC. "It will be something Dixon is proud of. It's an ideal location. Its proximity to the freeway and an adequate access is why we chose this location. It's a major thoroughfare and overall it's a better location."

The project, which will include a plaza area and shopping center, will be completed in two phases.

Phase I will include a 15,580-square-foot pharmacy with drive-thru and three restaurants totaling 8,700 square feet, and 18,600 square feet of inline retail space.

Phase II includes an additional 109,000 square feet of "future" retail.

Steele explained that the project will be built in phases to allow tenants to reserve the sites ahead of time.

"When we start building Phase I, the interest in Phase II will pick up immediately," he added.

The commission was not able to discuss before press time a possible zoning ordinance amendment related to the process of referring retail buildings of more than 75,000 square feet to the city council for design review.

Additionally, the commission had not yet discussed a modification to approved exterior changes to the old fire station.

Melissa Murphy can be reached at dixon@thereporter.com.